Malaysia’s Badminton Hopes at 2025 Badminton Asia Championships
Despite a string of lacklustre performances recently, the 2022 men’s doubles world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are seen as having the potential to roar back into form at the 2025 Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in Ningbo, China, starting tomorrow.
According to national badminton legend Datuk Razif Sidek, the sixth seeds have a relatively easy path ahead of them, which could lead to a strong performance. "Based on Aaron-Wooi Yik’s draw at BAC 2025, I think it’s only from the quarter-finals onwards that it gets tough. It’s not impossible; they can definitely succeed as long as they stay serious and give 100 per cent focus," he told Bernama.
The world number six pair has previously been hampered by injuries to Aaron, which saw them exit in the first round of two recent tournaments. However, they are not carrying any worrying injuries this time around, and their experience of beating top world pairs, including those from China and Indonesia, should serve them well.
Aaron-Wooi Yik will open their BAC 2025 campaign against an unseeded Japanese pair, Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura, with the head-to-head record favouring the Malaysians 3-0. They are then expected to face a lesser-known Indian pair, Hariharan Amsakarunan-Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi, before encountering a real test in the quarter-finals should the third seeds from Indonesia, Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto, progress to that stage.
Razif is also optimistic about the chances of the world number two pair, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who will face a stern test following a tough draw at the tournament. Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin, who are the top seeds, will face 2021 world champions from Japan, Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi, in the first round, with the Japanese pair having won three of their four previous encounters.
In addition to Aaron-Wooi Yik and Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin, other Malaysian pairs competing in the men’s doubles campaign include eighth seeds Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and the duo of Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King.
Razif hopes that the country’s top women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, can fully focus on their opening match against South Korea’s Kim Hye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong and put in a convincing campaign despite being overshadowed by off-court issues. Recently, the media reported that the future of Pearly-Thinaah is in doubt, as they have yet to sign a new contract with the Badminton Association of Malaysia after their previous one ended in January.
Razif also hopes to see at least one Malaysian mixed doubles pair reach the semi-finals, following the recent split of Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei. Additionally, he finds it difficult to predict the performance of the singles players, especially in the men’s category, with professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia forced to skip the 2025 edition due to a right ankle injury.
Malaysia will rely on 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Ng Tze Yong, who is making a comeback after more than a year out, alongside Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh, while Goh Jin Wei, K. Letshanaa, and Wong Ling Ching will shoulder the women’s singles challenge.
Conclusion
The 2025 Badminton Asia Championships is set to be an exciting tournament, with several Malaysian pairs and players looking to make a strong impression. With a relatively easy draw ahead of them, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are well-placed to make a comeback and reignite their passion for the sport. Meanwhile, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will face a stern test, and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah will need to overcome off-court issues to put in a convincing performance.
FAQs
Q: Who is the favourite to win the men’s doubles title at the 2025 Badminton Asia Championships?
A: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, the 2022 men’s doubles world champions, are seen as having the potential to roar back into form and win the title.
Q: Who are the top seeds in the men’s doubles competition at the 2025 Badminton Asia Championships?
A: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are the top seeds, and they will face 2021 world champions from Japan, Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi, in the first round.
Q: Who has been forced to skip the 2025 Badminton Asia Championships due to injury?
A: Professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia has been forced to skip the tournament due to a right ankle injury.