Singapore – After reaching three straight finals and clinching two championship titles in just three weeks, Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik revealed the secret behind their incredible consistency: patience, focus, and a coach who encourages joy over pressure.
In a post-match interview following their win at the 2025 Singapore Open, Soh Wooi Yik explained,
“Our opponents were in great form. They were fast, and we felt ourselves slowing down. But the key was communication. We kept pushing each other and reminded ourselves not to fall into their rhythm. We pushed to the limit and forced them into mistakes.”
Aaron Chia added,
“We’re happy with how we played. We’ve remained consistent and stayed mentally focused. Once you’re dialed in, distractions just disappear.”
Their opponents, Korea’s Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae, had the advantage of rest, having only competed in the Sudirman Cup after March. In contrast, Chia and Soh have battled through three consecutive weeks of top-level competition.
“The biggest challenge is mental,” Soh admitted. “The body is sore, strength fades, and it’s mentally exhausting. But we take it one day at a time—and persistence got us here.”
This season, the pair has now secured three major titles: the Asian Championships, Thailand Open, and now the Singapore Open, along with a runner-up finish at the Malaysia Masters.
But much of their recent success, they say, stems from the influence of their new coach, Herry Iman Pierngadi, affectionately known as the “Fire Dragon Coach.”
“Coach Herry has been guiding us for three months,” said Chia. “He’s brought stability and confidence to our game. He constantly reminds us to have fun—no pressure in training or matches. That mindset helps us play more freely and perform better.”
Soh echoed the sentiment:
“We don’t think this is our peak yet. In training, we give 100%. And we’re starting to translate that into our match performance. We’ll keep working hard for next week’s Indonesia Open.”
Malaysia’s men’s doubles rising dominance in the badminton world is becoming clearer, and with a coaching strategy centered on enjoyment and consistency, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik are showing they’re not just chasing titles—they’re evolving with every match.
