KUALA LUMPUR: National coaching director Rexy Mainaky has cautioned Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun that they will be closely watched and monitored in tournaments leading up to next month’s World Championships in Paris.
The men’s doubles pairs will be competing in next week’s Super 750 Japan Open and the Super 1000 China Open from July 20-25.
World No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik have won three titles this year, while world No. 7 Wei Chong-Kai Wun have captured two victories on the World Tour.
Their impressive records make them strong contenders in the men’s doubles event at the World Championships on Aug 25-31.
“Rivals will be closely watching and monitoring Aaron-Wooi Yik and Wei Chong-Kai Wun in Japan and China.
However, if they remain focused and maintain momentum, they should have no fear,” said Rexy.
“All of the top pairs are competing, and these two events will be used as a yardstick for how they might perform at the World Championships.
“Normally, Super 750 and Super 1000 tournaments are compulsory for the top 10 pairs, and none of the leading pairs have withdrawn from the Japan Open next week.
“These tournaments are not like a Super 300 event, which is typically used as a warm-up before major competitions.
“I expect quality competition in Japan and China, as everyone wants to gauge the level of their pairs.”
Aaron-Wooi Yik have enjoyed a brilliant run this season, winning the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC), the Thailand Open and the Singapore Open, besides finishing runners-up to Wei Chong-Kai Wun at the Malaysia Masters.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun also won the Indonesia Masters and reached the semi-finals at the Indonesia Open.
Both Malaysian pairs have outshone independent world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who have only the India Open title to their name this year.
It is worth noting that Sze Fei-Izzuddin are the defending champions at both the Japan Open and China Open.
Doing well in the two World Tour events will give both pairs added confidence heading into the all-important World Championships, where Aaron-Wooi Yik remain the only Malaysians to have triumphed in the prestigious event back in 2022.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
