MALAYSIA’S men’s doubles pair of Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are world beaters. But they have a bogeyman in China’s world No. 1 Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang.
The two Chinese beat Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik twice in Paris Olympics, first in the group match and then again to deny the Malaysians a place in the final.
Aaron-Wooi Yik went down fighting 19-21, 21-15, 17-21 to the Chinese pair in the last four before bouncing back to overcome Denmark’s world No. 3 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen to retain their bronze.
The gold though remains elusive for the world No. 3.
Aaron-Wooi Yik have only beaten the Chinese pair once this year – in the semi-finals of the Thomas Cup Finals in Chengdu in May.
Their only other win in their past 10 meetings came in the first round of the Indonesian Masters last year.
The Chinese are also a bane for fellow Malaysians Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who have never beaten Weikeng-Wang Chang before.
World No. 13 Sze Fei-Izzuddin went down to the Paris Olympics silver medallists in the final of the Asian Championships in April and the last eight of the Indonesian Open in June.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun were also denied by Weikeng-Wang Chang in the final of the Indonesian meet.
Aaron-Wooi Yik admit that the Chinese are the pair to beat in upcoming tournaments.
“The competition was quite tough as everyone analyses everyone else,” said Wooi Yik.
“In the semi-final, the Chinese pair’s strategy was better than ours during the crucial points. There’s no doubt that they are still the best.”
But the Chinese can be beaten, as Taiwan’s Lee Yang-Wang Chi-lin showed when they successfully defended their gold medal in a thrilling Olympics final.
However, both the Chinese are only 23 and will likely be contenders for gold again in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
They will also be among the favourites in the World Championships next year and Asian Games in 2026.
Aaron-Wooi Yik and their teammates have to come up with a plan fast.
