Latest news with #SoonKit
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Soon Kit joins England as guest coach ahead of Paris Worlds
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Cheah Soon Kit has joined Badminton England as a guest coach in the lead-up to next month's World Championships in Paris. The 57-year-old, who was part of Malaysia's historic 1992 Thomas Cup-winning team, was officially unveiled on Friday (July 11). "We are thrilled to welcome another experienced former badminton star to the hallowed courts at the National Badminton Centre as Cheah Soon Kit joins the Badminton England coaching ranks as a guest coach," said Badminton England in a statement. "The former Malaysian men's doubles hero is set to enrich our coaching provision in the lead-up to the World Championships in August." Soon Kit is no stranger to success on English soil. In 1994, he and Soo Beng Kiang defeated England's Simon Archer-Chris Hunt to win the Commonwealth Games gold in Victoria. Two years later, he partnered Yap Kim Hock to claim silver at the Atlanta Olympics. After retiring, Soon Kit turned to coaching and played a key role in guiding Wong Pei Tty-Chin Ee Hui to Commonwealth Games gold in Melbourne in 2006. He later headed the national men's doubles department in 2017 and helped shape the rise of Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who went on to become two-time All-England finalists.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Old Kit on the new block - Thomas Cupper joins England
File photo of Morten Frost (left) and Cheah Soon Kit. - The Star KAMARUL ARIFFIN PETALING JAYA: Former great Cheah Soon Kit joins England as a coach in lead up to the World Championships in Paris in August. On Friday (July 11), the Badminton England announced that they had hired Soon Kit, who was a member of Malaysia's 1992 Thomas Cup winning team, as their guest coach. "We are thrilled to welcome another vastly experienced former badminton star to the hallowed courts at the National Badminton Centre as Cheah Soon Kit joins the Badminton England coaching ranks as a guest coach," read the statement. "The former Malaysian men's doubles hero is set to enrich our coaching provision in lead up to the World Championships in August." In 1994, Soon Kit and partner Soo Beng Kiang defeated English pair Simon Archer-Chris Hunt to win the Commonwealth Games gold. And in 1996, Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock won the silver medal at the Atlanta Olympic Games. Soon Kit moved into a coaching role at the end of his playing days, becoming the national women's coach for Malaysia and guided Wong Pei Tty-Chin Ee Hui to a gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. He headed the men's doubles department in 2017 and had an influence on the burgeoning careers of two-time All-England finalists Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sze Fei-Izzuddin's dip in form just a 'learning curve', says Soon Kit
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Cheah Soon Kit believes Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have what it takes to weather the storm and rise to the challenge of being world No. 1. The national men's doubles legend said the recent dip in form by the Malaysian pair — who ascended to the top of the world rankings in late May — is merely part of the learning curve. Since reaching the summit, Sze Fei-Izzuddin have struggled to live up to expectations, with three quarter-final exits at the Malaysia Masters, Singapore Open, and Indonesia Open. They now look to regroup ahead of the Japan Open (July 15-20) and China Open (July 22-27) — two back-to-back Super 750 and 1000 tournaments which could serve as a barometer of their title credentials heading into the Paris World Championships (August 25-31). "Maybe it's because they suddenly became world No. 1 — a lot of expectations came with that," said Soon Kit, who coached the pair during their formative years in the national setup. "The public now expects them to reach finals or win titles all the time. Hopefully, this short break helps them reset emotionally and mentally. Then they can move forward." Soon Kit, who first identified their chemistry and officially paired them up in 2016, said he has always believed in their potential, particularly Izzuddin's fighting spirit. "Izzuddin was very committed and hardworking. He had strong attacking power — that's one of the reasons I saw him as someone with good potential." Today, Sze Fei-Izzuddin are among the current longest-standing partnerships in world badminton, a bond that has endured even through a brief separation in 2023. "They're more mature and stable now," said Soon Kit. "They just need to keep working together and supporting each other. That's the most important thing. They're already at the top, so don't overthink. "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, that's part and parcel of the game. But you must be able to handle pressure, whether it's from the public or elsewhere. In the end, your own ambition must remain strong." Soon Kit added that coping with pressure will be the biggest test for the top-ranked pair. "It's all about spirit. They need to keep their fighting spirit alive.
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
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."
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Cheah Hopes for All-Malaysian Final at 2025 Worlds
NATIONAL badminton legend Datuk Cheah Soon Kit hopes to witness an all-Malaysian men's doubles final at the World Championships 2025 in Paris next month. He believes professional duo Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and 2022 world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have what it takes to meet in the final, as they are holding the top two spots in the world rankings. 'Hopefully both pairs can enter the final, and of course the gold and silver medals will be ours,' he said when met at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony and official launch of the 'Sentuhan Wira' movie here yesterday. The former national men's doubles coach was also delighted to see the progress made by Malaysian men's doubles, with Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin and Aaron-Wooi Yik rising to world No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. However, he stressed that staying at the top requires continuous hard work, as opponents will closely study their game. Soon Kit added that the Malaysian pairs must be proactive in analysing their performance and making improvements to stay ahead. However, Soon Kit was cautiously optimistic when asked about the prospect of Malaysia having two men's pairs at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He said that maintaining fitness, commitment and discipline, including proper rest, training and injury prevention, will be crucial to sustaining high-level performance, especially as age becomes a factor. The last time Malaysia had two men's doubles pairs at the Olympic Games was in Beijing 2008, with Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah being the flag-bearers. 'Sentuhan Wira', an upcoming movie that will chronicle Malaysia's historic 1992 Thomas Cup triumph, is the brainchild of Soon Kit and another national badminton legend, Datuk Rashid Sidek. As advisors to the production, both of them were directly involved in the development of the script and technical research on the matches, ensuring that the spirit and historical accuracy of Malaysia's 1992 Thomas Cup victory are portrayed authentically and emotionally. Directed by Lenny Ooi, the film is expected to begin shooting this November and will be released in cinemas next year.
