PETALING JAYA: The World Championships in India next week will be shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s final act together as a pair.
And doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi hopes to make it a fitting farewell for them.
Aaron-Wooi Yik will be Malaysia’s highest seeded pair at No. 4 at the world meet starting on Monday in New Delhi.
The other men’s doubles pairs in the fray are Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (sixth seeds), Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (11th seeds) and Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King.
Herry believes Aaron and Wooi Yik’s reunion after spending time apart could give them renewed motivation at the world meet.
They have been playing with different partners as part of Herry’s efforts to eventually find solid combinations capable of winning at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
“Aaron and Wooi Yik have been playing with different partners and have been away from each other for some time... maybe there could be renewed motivation as they come together again just for this one time at the world meet,” said Herry.
“They have been training together and everything looks normal as they are used to each other.
“I hope to make this last outing for them as a pair at the world meet as memorable as possible.”
Aaron-Wooi Yik broke Malaysia’s long-standing jinx by becoming the country’s first world champions when they won the men’s doubles title in 2022, ironically beating Herry’s charges Mohd Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan in the final.
Herry, however, also enjoyed plenty of success with Ahsan-Hendra, guiding them to three world titles in 2013, 2015 and 2019.
He was also part of Indonesia’s success in producing several other world champions and Olympic winners.
Aaron-Wooi Yik have received a favourable first-round draw and if all falls nicely, they are expected to meet teammates Wei Chong-Kai Wun in the third round.
Herry, who will leave with the Malaysian team tonight, believes the facilities at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi will suit the players.
There were complaints about bird droppings and wild monkeys inside the stadium when India last hosted the event at the venue, but the hosts and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) have since carried out upgrading work to improve the environment.
“This is the World Championships and I have full confidence that the hosts will look into every detail to ensure the venue provides the best facilities for the players,” added Herry.
