03-07-2025
Soon Kit: Paris could deliver Malaysia's biggest men's doubles moment yet
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Cheah Soon Kit believes Malaysia are entering a golden era in men's doubles and is hopeful of seeing the nation secure a historic one-two finish at the World Championships in Paris in August.
With Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik currently occupying the world's top two spots, the 1992 Thomas Cup hero said the stars may just align for Malaysia to repeat their world title success — and this time, double it.
"If they can go into the World Championships as top seeds — first and second — then there's a real chance of both pairs reaching the final," said Soon Kit.
"That would guarantee us a gold medal and a silver."
Malaysia have come close to achieving the feat in the past, most notably in Seville 2001, when Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng and Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah both reached the semi-finals but fell one step short.
The same heartbreak repeated in Hyderabad 2009, when Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Fairuzizuan Tazari-Zakry Latif also bowed out in the last four.
The nation's only men's doubles world title came in 2022, when Aaron–Wooi Yik triumphed in Tokyo to end Malaysia's wait.
In the event's history since its inception in 1977, Malaysia have reached the men's doubles final five times, winning one gold and four silvers.
Soon Kit featured in two of those finals, finishing runner-up in 1993 (Birmingham) with Soo Beng Kiang, and in 1997 (Glasgow) with Yap Kim Hock.
Now a proud mentor, Soon Kit once coached both current top pairs during his tenure as national men's doubles head coach from 2016 to 2018.
"Of course I'm happy. As their former coach, how could I not be? Any coach would be proud to see their players become world No. 1, world champions — or even Olympic champions one day. It's a great feeling," he said.
Soon Kit added that if both pairs can stay injury-free and maintain their form, Malaysia could also be on track to qualify two men's doubles pairs for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — a feat last achieved at the Beijing 2008 Games through Kien Keat-Boon Heong and Tan Fook-Wan Wah.
"It's very good. For a long time, we haven't had two pairs in the top 10 — let alone the top five — especially in such a competitive era for men's doubles," he said.
"If they can maintain their fitness and commitment — because age will eventually catch up — then yes, there's a big potential.
"Discipline is key now. They must rest well, train well, and avoid injuries."
