May 23, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – World champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are used to facing tough Indonesian hurdles in the opening matches of the badminton World Federation (BWF) tour and it will be another familiar foe again at the Axiata Arena today.
Indonesia’s Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Rambitan’s ranking is at No. 32 but they defeated world No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik to win the Asian Championships in Manila last year and they also secured the SEA Games men’s doubles gold in Phnom Penh last week.
Aaron said that the competition in the men’s doubles is so intense that he and Wooi Yik are used to playing difficult matches from the first round.
“The competition level in the men’s doubles is very high and it’s not going to be easy. They (Pramudya-Yeremia) have just won the SEA Games but we will be prepared and focused on what we need to do on court,” said Aaron.
“Not just the Indonesian pairs, China or other opponents are equally strong. And we need to be prepared to face these challenges from the last 32 until the final.
“We are back to our homeground again after playing at the Sudirman Cup and there is more to improve in this tournament.
“Team event and individual tournament is different. The situation and the feeling is a little different here.
“Although we are just back from Suzhou today (yesterday) and will play in the first round tomorrow, we should be prepared for the match.”
The other men’s doubles who will be having tough openers today are Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi who play China’s Ren Qiangyu-Tan Qiang and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun who will take on Danish veterans Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen.
In the women’s doubles, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah seem to have found their touch again and has started playing with more conviction after a successful outing in the Sudirman Cup.
Pearly, who could not play in the Asian Championships in Dubai last month due to illness and also had to deal with burnout earlier this year, said she has started enjoying the competitions again after playing in the Sudirman Cup.
“We really enjoyed playing at the Sudirman Cup and we want to keep the momentum going. I think everything happens for a reason and there is always ups and downs,” said Pearly.
“I am happy that I have already overcome it with the help of my partner and coaches.
“I don’t want to dwell on the past but cherish the moment now.”