KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s doubles coach Tan Bin Shen has set a semi-final target for the country’s top pair, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, at the 2024 BWF World Tour Finals, which begins in Hangzhou, China, on Dec 11.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bin Shen noted that the world number five duo are in peak condition, with Wooi Yik fully recovered from a September injury and having competed in three tournaments since the Korea Masters last November. He highlighted that Aaron-Wooi Yik’s chances have been bolstered by the absence of some of the world’s top pairs from the year-end finale.

“Our goal is for them to perform better than last year. Last year, we were eliminated in the group stage, but this year we know that two of the top pairs are not participating, so the chances are bigger. However, it still depends on their performance in the matches,” Bin Shen mentioned. He further added that Wooi Yik, after recovering from his injury, has participated in three tournaments, is in good shape, and is under no
pressure.

Aaron-Wooi Yik are set to make their fifth appearance in the championship, having previously participated in the 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023 editions. Malaysia will be represented by Aaron-Wooi Yik and independent shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in the men’s doubles competition, which features the top eight pairs who qualified from the BWF world tour events.

The men’s doubles competition will comprise two groups of four pairs each, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. Additionally, Malaysia’s other representatives in the tournament include mixed doubles pairs Cheng Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, and Paris Olympics 2024 men’s singles bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia.