Aaron And Wooi Yik To Resume Partnership After Asian Games Until LA28 Olympics
Badminton Association of Malaysia performance committee chairman Lee Chong Wei confirmed on August 28, 2026, that national men’s doubles stars Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik will officially reunite to resume their partnership after the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan. The decision follows a high-level meeting involving coaching staff to secure the pair’s commitment through the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Temporary Split and Road to the Asian Games
National doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi initially orchestrated a temporary reshuffle and trial pairings to evaluate deeper squad combinations for Malaysia’s Olympic cycle. During this interim period leading up to the Asian Games running from September 19 to October 4, 2026, the lineup adjustments will feature Aaron partnering Man Wei Chong at the upcoming China Masters starting September 1, while Wooi Yik teams up with Aaron Tai, according to tournament schedules outlined by The Star.
Further rotation changes are slated for the Arctic Open next month, where Aaron will join forces with Tee Kai Wun and Wooi Yik will partner Choong Hon Jian. Specifically for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Aaron is set to compete alongside Tee Kai Wun, while Wooi Yik will sit out that specific tournament event, as reported by Bernama via Free Malaysia Today.
Securing Commitment Through the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
The decision to restore the primary pairing arrived after a heart-to-heart discussion on August 28, 2026, joining Lee Chong Wei, national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky, Herry Iman Pierngadi, Aaron Chia, and Soh Wooi Yik. Lee Chong Wei stated that both athletes reaffirmed their ultimate ambition to target podium success at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games together.
“I told Wooi Yik and Aaron, it’s okay. Now we close this chapter. They said they want to go to the 2028 Olympics. He emphasized that once the Asian Games conclude, the duo must maintain long-term stability, starting with subsequent World Tour fixtures in Denmark and France, without seeking further partnership changes.”
Recent Competitive Form and Strategic Outlook
The impetus for the permanent reunion traces back to the pair’s recent competitive output. Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik were temporarily reunited at the World Championships in New Delhi, where they secured a runner-up finish after a hard-fought final against China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang.
With the administrative hurdles cleared and coaching staff fully aligned behind Rexy Mainaky’s strategic roadmap, the established partnership stands poised to anchor Malaysia’s elite men’s doubles division through the grueling multi-year qualification window for La28.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.