Malaysia’s Last Stand: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik Dominate When Malaysian Badminton Needed Them Most

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When the dust settled on a brutal Friday night (9 January) of quarter-final action at Axiata Arena, only one Malaysian pair was left standing: Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.

The former world champions delivered when it mattered most, dismantling Indonesia’s Sabar Kayaman Gutawan-Reza Pahlevi Isfahani 21-10, 21-10 in a dominant display that sent the home crowd into raptures.

And here’s the sweet part—this wasn’t just any win.

Aaron-Wooi Yik had lost their last three encounters against Sabar-Reza, making Friday’s statement victory all the more satisfying.

The Malaysian pair demonstrates their defensive prowess during a crucial rally. Soh gets ready to retrieve a difficult shot while Chia positions strategically at the net—textbook doubles coordination on display. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

National men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi (right) and Rexy Mainaky, the national coaching director, deliver animated instructions to Soh and Chia ahead of the second set. Their body language is emphatic—hands gesturing, clearly emphasising key tactical points. Every word counts. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

This striking image captures Soh Wooi Yik at the peak of his service motion—a moment of pure athletic grace and technical precision. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

Malaysia’s Last Hope Standing

It was a night of mixed emotions for Malaysian badminton.

World champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei kicked things off but fell short against Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet in a three-set thriller, 17-21, 21-17, 10-21.

Then came the nation’s second men’s doubles pair, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who ran into a buzzsaw in the form of top-seeded South Koreans Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae.

The Koreans showed why they’re the favourites, winning 21-17, 21-14.

That left Aaron-Wooi Yik carrying the torch for Malaysia—and boy, did they deliver.

These athletes didn’t just win today—they’ve invested years of training, sacrifice, and dedication. The crowd’s support represents the compound interest of that commitment. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

Behind every sports photo, every celebration shot, there’s someone like this—standing in the moment, preserving it for history, and occasionally pausing to appreciate the magnitude of what they’re witnessing. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

Aaron-Wooi Yik takes time after the match to connect with fans in this heartwarming scene—snapping a selfie with enthusiastic supporters who’ve waited to meet their badminton hero. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

Revenge Served Cold

The former world champions came out firing on all cylinders, racing through both sets with clinical precision.

The 21-10, 21-10 scoreline tells you everything: this was total domination.

After dropping three straight matches to the Indonesian pair, Aaron-Wooi Yik flipped the script when the stakes were highest—at home, in front of their people, on the biggest stage.

But there’s no time to celebrate just yet; waiting in the semi-finals? Another Indonesian duo: Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri.

It’s going to be another battle, but if Friday’s performance is anything to go by, Aaron-Wooi Yik are peaking at exactly the right time.

Malaysia’s semi-final dream stays alive—and it’s all on the shoulders of two men who refused to let the home crowd down.

One pair left. One semi-final spot secured. And one hell of a performance when it mattered most.

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Malaysia’s Last Stand: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik Dominate When Malaysian Badminton Needed Them Most
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