PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have reshuffled their men’s doubles combinations yet again, this time for the China Masters in Shenzen from Sept 1-6.
The main draw and qualifying list released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on July 21 showed several new pairings entered by BAM for the Super 750 tournament – but they are temporary measures.
Aaron Chia has been paired with Man Wei Chong, while Aaron Tai will partner Soh Wooi Yik.
Men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi said the latest changes were made to ensure the players qualify for the tournament.
Had BAM stuck with their existing partnerships, neither Aaron-Aaron nor Wooi Yik-Wei Chong would have earned enough ranking points to make the main draw.
“We made these changes so they can compete in the China Masters. If Wei Chong and Wooi Yik had stayed together, their ranking points would not have been enough for them to qualify, so that is one of the reasons we split them again.
“Over the next few tournaments leading up to the end of the year, we will continue trying different combinations to identify the best partnerships,” said Herry.
Tee Kai Wun will continue partnering Yap Roy King, while Wan Arif Wan Junaidi remains with Kang Khai Xing.
Independent pairs Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayub are also in the draw.
The latest reshuffle comes just a month after BAM ended Aaron and Wooi Yik’s decade-long partnership, during which they became Malaysia’s first men’s doubles world champions, to test new combinations at the Japan Open.
Aaron was initially paired with Kai Wun, while Wooi Yik teamed up with Wei Chong. However, only Wooi Yik and Wei Chong qualified for the Japan Open.
BAM subsequently partnered Aaron with Aaron Tai for the China Open, Taiwan Open and Korean Masters to ensure he could continue competing while the new combinations were being assessed.
