In an exclusive Talk Sport installment of Sports Scene, Malaysia’s dynamic badminton doubles duo Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik opened up about their historic journey at the Paris Olympics and their sights on Los Angeles 2028.
During the conversation with Zhu Mandan, the pair credited a fresh coaching setup for aligning better with their aggressive style. “Switching coaches brought new energy,” says Chia. That boost paid off at the Asia Championships in Ningbo, in the Chinese mainland, where they clinched the title with a tight 21–19, 18–21, 21–17 win over a veteran pair from the Chinese mainland.
Looking ahead to LA 2028, Chia admits the weight of expectation is heavy, especially after seeing how pressure impacts even experienced duos from the Chinese mainland. Soh notes, “Our consistency in Ningbo was a big step forward compared with previous tournaments. We want to carry that momentum into every match.”
Off the court, Chia and Soh highlight the camaraderie that bonds international players. “Friendships make the circuit more vibrant,” Soh adds, praising the sport’s tight-knit atmosphere and the passionate badminton culture in the Chinese mainland that pushes every athlete to raise their game.
Next up is the Sudirman Cup, where the Malaysian duo aim to shine on the team stage. “We’re fired up to contribute,” says Chia. For Chia and Soh, the journey from Paris podium to future podiums is just getting started.
Reference(s):
Talk Sport exclusive: Malaysian badminton stars share Olympic success
cgtn.com
