PETALING JAYA: Missing out on the Asian Games squad has not dampened Man Wei Chong’s spirits as the men’s doubles shuttler turns his attention to the tournaments ahead.
Wei Chong said he respected the coaching team’s decision and was now looking ahead to the competitions still to come.
“I don’t really have much to say. It’s the coaches’ decision and I still have other tournaments coming up.
“My focus is on those events now and I hope I can perform well,” said Wei Chong.
Wei Chong and his new partner Soh Wooi Yik were left out of the Asian Games squad after he struggled with a serious right knee injury.
Following discussions with the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s top management, men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi selected former world No. 1 pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Aaron Chia-Tee Kai Wun to represent Malaysia in the men’s doubles event.
Although many understood Wei Chong’s injury concerns, the decision to leave the pair out of the squad still drew criticism despite being part of BAM’s long-term plans leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, especially as Wooi Yik was a men’s doubles bronze medallist at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou alongside Aaron.
Since being paired up last month, Wei Chong-Wooi Yik have competed in two tournaments, but both campaigns ended in disappointment.
They suffered a first round exit at the Japan Open before bowing out in the second round of the China Open earlier this week.
Wei Chong-Wooi Yik will next compete in the Taiwan Open starting tomorrow, where they are scheduled to face Japan’s Haruki Kawabe-Kenta Matsukawa in the first round.
