Get cracking: World No. 5 Aaron-Wooi Yik need to step up in the All-England and Asian Championships.
PETALING JAYA: The pressure is on men’s doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik as they face a fight to win a spot in the Sudirman Cup from April 27-May 4 in Xiamen, China.
World No. 5 Aaron-Wooi Yik need to step up in the All-England (March 11-16) in Birmingham and Asian Championships from April 8-13 in Ningbo, China, if they hope to get the nod for the mixed team meet.
The 2022 world champions have been a mainstay in team events over the past few years but face a serious threat from world No. 12 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun this time.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun have been in superb form this year, capturing the Indonesian Masters title and reaching the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open.
The pair also continued their fine run when they won both their matches against Indonesia and Hong Kong in the Asia Mixed Team Championships in Qingdao, China, which also acts as the qualifier for the Sudirman Cup.
Although Malaysia exited in the group stage after losing 2-3 to both the teams, Wei Chong-Kai Wun were one of the bright spots for the team and were the only representatives to finish with a 100 percent record.
The pair were especially impressive when they edged Indonesia’s Shohibul Fikri-Daniel Marthin 25-27, 21-17, 23-21 in a thrilling match despite Malaysia already having lost the tie.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun were given the chance to be the main men’s doubles pair for the country while Aaron-Wooi Yik and world No. 2 independent pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were rested and the duo justified the decision.
With Sze Fei-Izzuddin in a strong position to be included in the Sudirman Cup after winning the Indian Open last month, Aaron-Wooi Yik and Wei Chong-Kai Wun will be battling it out for the other men’s doubles slot.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky said Wei Chong-Kai Wun could be selected ahead of Aaron-Wooi Yik if they maintain their performance in the upcoming tournaments.
“We have not decided on which pairs will be chosen for the Sudirman Cup. It could be Aaron-Wooi Yik and Sze Fei-Izzuddin or the latter and Wei Chong-Kai Wun,” said Rexy.
“We have many options. It will depend on how they perform in the All-England and Asian Championships.
“Wei Chong-Kai Wun did well in the Asia mixed team event. They could have felt down after the team already lost but they still fought hard until the end.
“This showed maturity as they only focused on delivering a point for the team.”
