Kuala lumpur: Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik's silver medal achievement at the 2026 World Badminton Championships does not secure their status as a permanent pairing moving forward, stated national men's doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi. He emphasized that a thorough evaluation of their performance, along with other pairings, is necessary before any final decision is made at the end of the current year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Herry remarked that although the pair did not clinch the championship, their result was commendable. However, he expressed that their performance would have been more satisfactory had they emerged as champions. He made these comments upon his arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) today.
Herry highlighted the advantage of the world No. 4 pair lies in their established chemistry, having been partnered for an extended period, despite temporary separations during certain tournaments prior to the world event. He noted that their level of play throughout the tournament had reached an optimal state given their current circumstances.
The pair, who were crowned world champions in 2022, settled for a silver medal after a defeat of 17-21, 16-21 to the Chinese duo Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in the final held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.
Herry further mentioned that Aaron and Wooi Yik would be split again to participate in upcoming tournaments, aligning with the original strategic plan. He elaborated that after the World Championships, the separation would occur again, and their performance towards the end of the year will determine if the pairing should continue.
The coaching team is tasked with assessing the success of other pairings that are being considered to gauge their potential for the long term. Herry believes that rotating pairings in several previous tournaments has provided invaluable experience for younger players.
Regarding player registration for the Asian Games, Herry clarified that no changes could be made due to the expiration of the registration deadline.