SEPANG: Aaron Chia believes Malaysia’s elite men’s doubles players remain stronger with their original partners despite the recent reshuffling by the national coaching team.
Aaron was referring not only to his partnership with Soh Wooi Yik, who reached the World Championships final in New Delhi last week, but also Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King.
Although Aaron accepts the coaches’ decision to try out different combinations over the next few months, he personally feels the original partnerships are still the strongest.
“Personally, when I look at it, whether I partner Man or Arif, I still feel that our original partnerships are stronger,” said Aaron.
“But I don’t think the coaches are changing the partnerships because they feel we are not strong enough.
“Maybe they just want to see how the different combinations work because all of us have been with our original partners for several years.
“The coaches have also said that nothing is permanent yet. We will try these combinations for the next few months and see how things go because Olympic qualification starts next year.
“For now, we just have to focus on ourselves.''
In New Delhi, Arif-Roy King pulled off an upset over Indonesia’s 12th seeds Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin in the second round before pushing India’s fifth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty hard in a three-game defeat in the third round.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun also enjoyed a good run but were forced to withdraw from their third-round clash against Aaron-Wooi Yik after Kai Wun came down with diarrhoea and fever.
Aaron will next partner Wei Chong at the China Masters in Shenzhen from Sept 1-6, while Wooi Yik will team up with Aaron Tai.
Roy King will partner Kai Wun, while Arif will reunite with Kang Khai Xing.
Aaron said he would welcome a return to the original partnerships if the coaches decide to do so next year before qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics begins in May 2027.
For Aaron, the ultimate target remains winning gold at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
“If it is possible and the coaches say we can continue with our original partners, then of course.
“If the coaches’ final plan is for all of us to return to our original partnerships for Los Angeles, I don’t see any problem with that.
“We still have a target at the Olympics and hopefully we can achieve it.''
