PETALING JAYA: Third time still not the charm for Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in the All-England.
It turned out to be another heartbreak as former world champions Aaron-Wooi Yik went down fighting in their third men's doubles final in Birmingham on Sunday (March 8).
In an edge-of-the-seat thriller, Aaron-Wooi Yik toiled for 63 minutes but their valiant effort was not enough as they lost 21-18, 12-21, 19-21 to defending champions Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae of South Korea.
The Malaysians had also lost in two previous finals in 2019 and 2024. It was Aaron-Wooi Yik's third defeat in four meetings against the Koreans.
With the defeat, Malaysia's wait for the All-England title continues since the last feat achieved by Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in 2007.
The Malaysians started strongly in the opening game, racing to a 16-11 lead, but the Koreans fought back to level the score at 17-17 before Aaron-Wooi Yik pulled away to take the first game.
The Koreans, who won 11 titles last season and started the year by winning the Malaysian Open in January, ruled supreme in the second game as they led throughout, but the third game turned into a heart-stopping battle.
Aaron-Wooi Yik turned up the power in the decider to race to a 12-7 lead but the Koreans clawed their way back. Both pairs were locked at 13-13 before the Won-ho-Seung-jae held firm to win their second All-England title in a row.
For the Malaysians, it was disappointment again as coaches Herry Iman Pierngadi and Rexy Mainaky consoled them.
Herry said: "They are still unlucky in the All-England. They played well despite the defeat."
The Indonesian coach felt Won-ho-Seung-jae showed better composure in the deciding game.
"The Koreans looked calmer in the third game. At 16-15, Wooi Yik's smashing shot went out and that was a waste... we all felt it."
Aaron-Wooi Yik will turn their attention to the Asian Championships in China next month, where they will be out to defend their title.
Meanwhile, there was an upset in the women's singles as An Se-young's winning streak ended after she went down 15-21, 19-21 to Wang Zhiyi of China.
China won two titles while Taiwan also captured two as the curtain came down on one of the All-England tournaments with the most surprises.
FINAL RESULTS
Men's singles: Lin Chun-yi (Tpe) bt Lakhsya Sen (Ind) 21-15, 22-20.
Men's doubles: Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae (Kor) bt Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (Mas) 18-21, 21-12, 21-19.
Women's singles: Wang Zhiyi (Chn) bt An Se-young (Kor) 21-15, 21-19.
Women's doubles: Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning (Chn) bt Baek Ha-na-Lee So-hee (Kor) 21-18, 21-12.
Mixed doubles: Ye Hong Wei-Nicole Chan (Tpe) bt Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue (Fra) 21-19, 21-18.
