Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik beat holders in Denmark reunion
The world No. 4 Malaysians won in three games after receiving approval to remain partners through the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
A 51-minute victory in Odense sent Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik into the Denmark Open second round on their return to a permanent partnership. They defeated Japanese title holders Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi 21-19, 14-21, 21-11.
The match was the Malaysian duo's first outing together since August, when they earned World Championships silver in New Delhi. Following a temporary separation during a pairing reshuffle overseen by national men's doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, they received approval to stay together through the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Aaron and Wooi Yik had sought the reunion after the World Championships. Discussions with national coaches and BA of Malaysia performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei led to approval. The Olympic bronze medallists from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 are still pursuing gold; Wooi Yik identified Los Angeles as his focus.
While apart, Aaron made the Taiwan Open final alongside Aaron Tai, and Wooi Yik took runner-up honours with Man Wei Chong at the Korea Masters. Aaron said preparations remained on course, with the pair aiming to build towards 2027.
Aaron attributed their success in the deciding game to sharper concentration and a reduction in unforced errors. They have won their last two encounters with Hoki and Kobayashi but remain behind 9-4 overall. Their next opponents will be either South Koreans Kang Min Hyuk and Lee Jong Min or fellow Malaysians Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King.
Malaysia's K. Letshanaa, ranked world No. 27, was eliminated by Denmark's world No. 12 Line Christophersen, who won 21-5, 21-18 in 32 minutes. Since her Malaysia Masters quarter-final run in May, Letshanaa has contested eight consecutive individual tournaments without getting beyond round two.
