We must dare to try, coach says on men’s doubles shake-up

KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi has admitted that the major shake-up of national men’s doubles pairings is a risk.

However, he said the move, which includes separating 2022 world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, is a bold step that needs to be taken to find the best combination and achieve good results ahead of the qualification campaign for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“We really have to be brave enough to take that risk. If we don’t dare to try, the results will be more or less the same.

“Almost all other countries will probably do the same (reshuffle). This move is a risk that we have taken into account,” he told reporters after a training session here today.

In the reshuffle announced by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) last week, Wooi Yik will be paired with Man Wei Chong for the 2026 Japan Open, from July 14 to 19.

For the next series of tournaments – the China Open (July 21 to 26), Taiwan Open (July 28 to Aug 2), and Korea Open (Nov 3-8) – BAM has also laid out several new combinations of national players.

Aaron will be paired with young player Aaron Tai, while Tee Kai Wun will be paired with Yap Roy King.

Wan Arif Wan Junaidi will form a partnership with Kang Khai Xing, while the Wooi Yik-Wei Chong pair is also listed to participate in all three tournaments.

BAM also announced that Aaron-Kai Wun are expected to bring the country’s challenge to the European Tour tournament, estimated to be held in October.

Herry insisted that there has been no disagreement between Aaron and Wooi Yik, and that their separation was due to their performance this season.

The two-time Olympic men’s doubles bronze medallists failed to win any titles and only finished runner-up twice at the Malaysia Open and the All England despite nine appearances this year.