PETALING JAYA: Aaron Tai may have been playing alongside Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan, but there were moments in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) badminton mixed doubles final when he forgot.
He instinctively called out the name of his close friend and former partner, Kang Khai Xing – only to look beside him and remember that Khai Xing was now on the other side of the net.
It was an emotional reminder of how much Aaron still misses playing with Khai Xing, even as he had to beat him to retain the gold.
Aaron-Noraqilah overcame Khai Xing-Chan Wen Tse of Kelantan 21-18, 21-23, 21-8 at the Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam yesterday to successfully defend the title they won at Sukma Sarawak two years ago.
The victory was a fitting farewell for Aaron, who was making his final Sukma appearance.
Khai Xing was also competing in his last Games, making the victory all the more bittersweet for Aaron.
"There were a few times during the final when I called out Khai Xing’s name. Then I looked beside me and remembered that I was partnering Noraqilah," joked Aaron.
Aaron-Khai Xing won the 2024 World Junior Championships title in Nanchang and were once regarded as one of Malaysia’s most promising men’s doubles combinations.
They have since gone their separate ways, with Khai Xing teaming up with Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Aaron partnering Aaron Chia.
Chia-Tai finished runners-up at the Taiwan Open two weeks ago.
Despite having to beat his friend, Aaron was pleased with how his final Sukma turned out.
"I’m happy with how things went this year. There wasn’t much pressure, we just went out there and played," he said.
"As for him, I don’t know, maybe we’ll settle it between ourselves later," he joked.
"But I think he’ll be fine because at this Sukma, we were playing for ourselves and for our respective states."
In the bronze-medal playoff, Penang’s Tan Zhi Yang-Nicole Tan beat state teammates Nixon Ang-Tan Zhing Hui 21-11, 21-10.
In the men’s doubles, the all-Federal Territories final went the way of Bryan Jeremy Goonting-Low Han Chen, who beat Damien Ling-Ethan Oh 21-16, 21-12.
Johor’s Toh E Hern-Wee Yee Tern took bronze after edging Sarawak’s Darrent Lim-Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim 21-17, 17-21, 21-18.
In the women’s doubles, Perak’s Chong Jie Yu-Vanee Gobi fought back from a game down to beat Federal Territories' Leong Hwee Ling-Teh Xin Ying 15-21, 22-20, 21-18 for gold.
Johor’s Low Zi Yu-Dania Sofea Zaidi took bronze after beating Selangor’s Sheyeon Wong-Tan Xin Yu 21-14, 21-14.
