Thirsting for more competitions after Thailand's eye-opener meet
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The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Rexy hopeful Malaysia can produce a world champion again
PETALING JAYA: National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky is hoping Malaysia can once again produce a world champion, just like they did three years ago. The players are now gearing up for the World Championships from Aug 25-31 in Paris. Top national pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik ended a four-decade long wait for a world title by defeating Indonesia's Hendra Setiawan-Mohamad Ahsan in the 2022 final in Tokyo. With the duo still among the world's best, Rexy believes Aaron-Wooi Yik remain strong contenders for the prestigious title in Paris. So far, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have had an impressive 2025 season with three titles under their belt, the Asian Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open along with a runners-up finish at the Malaysian Masters. With that momentum, Rexy wants to see not just Aaron and Wooi Yik but the rest of the squad show the same hunger as they prepare for the world meet. Before that, they will compete at the Japan Open from July 15-20, followed by the China Open a week later in Changzhou. 'Becoming a champion is easy, but staying consistent is not. If players feel they've done enough just because their ranking is high or they've already won titles, that's not the mindset I want. I want our players to have hunger,' said Rexy when met at Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM), Bukit Kiara yesterday. 'The players and coaching team can only do their best, and it's important that we don't lose the momentum we've built over the past six months. 'In training, the momentum and hunger from the players remain the same. They are still not satisfied and are pushing hard in preparation for the Japan Open, China Open, and World Championships. In fact, Rexy also feels that winning a world title is no longer just a dream for other Malaysian players, as it is now something within reach. 'We already have world champions, and we hope to win another title, whether it's again through Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, or maybe even in the mixed doubles. You never know.' 'We hope to keep winning titles to motivate our younger players and show them that becoming a world champion is not just a dream because we've already achieved it,' he added.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Rexy wants Malaysia to make winning badminton world titles a habit
KUALA LUMPUR: National coaching director Rexy Mainaky wants Malaysia to make winning at the World Championships a habit, not a one-off. The former Olympic and world men's doubles champion believes consistent success at the highest level will inspire younger players in the national team to aim higher. Rexy was speaking about Malaysia's senior men's doubles pairs, who are among the favourites to win the world title in Paris on Aug 25-31. World No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik ended the nation's long wait for a world title in Tokyo in 2022, and Rexy believes history can repeat itself if the pairs maintain their red-hot form on the World Tour. Rexy also tipped women's doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, ranked world No. 3, to be potential dark horses in Paris. Aaron-Wooi Yik will be joined by world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, while independent pair and world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are the hot favourites in Paris. "The seniors must show the younger pairs that it's not just a dream — we can win the World Championships again," said Rexy at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara on Friday. "We've already won one, and now we should target more. In Paris, we're looking to Aaron-Wooi Yik, Wei Chong-Kai Wun or even Pearly-Thinaah to deliver. "Success at that level will show the younger pairs that it's possible — it's something Malaysia has done before." The national pairs have enjoyed a dream first half of the season. Aaron-Wooi Yik won three titles — the Badminton Asia Championships in April, Thailand Open in May and Singapore Open in June — while Wei Chong-Kai Wun bagged the Indonesia Masters and Malaysia Masters titles. Pearly-Thinaah added the Thailand Open title to their resume and finished runners-up at both the Indonesia Masters and Indonesia Open. Rexy now wants the momentum to continue at the Japan Open (July 15-20) and China Open (July 22-27) as part of their build-up to the World Championships. "It's easy to become a champion. Staying consistent — that's the real challenge," said Rexy. "But our players have shown hunger, and that's a good sign. Aaron-Wooi Yik and Wei Chong-Kai Wun have said they want more than what they've achieved. That's the mentality we want — never satisfied with rankings or titles." He also confirmed that Wooi Yik has recovered from a recent hand issue caused by fatigue and is back in full training. "Things are looking positive, and we're hopeful for strong results in Japan and China before heading to Paris," added Rexy.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Turning the corner
On the right path: Malaysian men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have been producing better results. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star Lee gives thumbs-up as he highlights significant change in M'sian players' mindset PETALING JAYA: Badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei believes the national team are on the right track based on their encouraging performance in the first half of the year. While there have been both highs and lows, Chong Wei feels the players have taken valuable lessons from every challenge and their growth is starting to show. One of the most promising signs, he said, is that Malaysian shuttlers are no longer content with just making up the numbers at major tournaments. Instead, they are stepping up as genuine contenders, with several titles already under their belt. 'We're halfway through 2025, and I'm really proud of the spirit shown by our national team,' said Chong Wei in a social media post. 'The first six months brought a mix of big-stage breakthroughs, hard-fought lessons and steady progress and it all points to Malaysian badminton heading in the right direction. 'This year, our players have risen to the occasion at major tournaments, challenging top-ranked opponents and reaching the later stages of some of the sport's biggest events. 'It's clear they're putting in the hard work, fine-tuning their strategies and proving that Malaysia is not just here to participate, but to compete at the highest level. The men's doubles pairs have led the way this year, with world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik winning three titles, the Asian Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open. World No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun have also impressed with victories at the Indonesian Masters and Malaysian Masters. Independent duo Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, now ranked world No. 1, added to the success by clinching the Indian Open crown. In the women's doubles, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah continued to shine with their title win at the Thailand Open and runner-up finishes at both the Indonesian Open and Masters. Looking ahead to the second half of the season, Chong Wei hopes the players will maintain their momentum and called on Malaysians to continue showing their support. 'To all fans, keep cheering, whether we win or lose. Your belief makes all the difference. Let's stand united behind the team as they gear up for the next half of the season. Together, let's show the world that Malaysia Boleh!' he added.
