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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim presents medals to Malaysia’s men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik after they finished as runners-up against South Korea’s Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae at the Petronas Malaysia Open 2026 at the Axiata Arena here today. Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik lost 15–21, 21–12, 18–21. – Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 11): The wait goes on.
Top national men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s hopes of clinching Malaysia Open 2026 title were shattered, prolonging the country’s 12-year drought in the event.
During the final in a packed Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, here today, the second seeds fell to top seeds and defending champions Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae of South Korea.
The world number two pair Aaron-Wooi Yik were slow off the blocks and lost the opening game 15-21 after committing several unforced errors.
The 2022 world champions changed the script in the second set and displayed clinical edge to surge to 18-11 lead before forcing a rubber with a convincing 21-12 victory.
Momentum shifted decisively as the opponents raced to an 11-4 advantage, yet the Malaysians refused to fold, battling back to close the gap to 18-17 before the Koreans shut the door and defended their title 21-18 in a one-hour-and-six-minute contest.
The result meant Malaysia’s search for a home men’s doubles champion continues, with the last triumph still belonging to Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah in 2014.
The defeat extended Aaron-Wooi Yik’s wait for a Super 1000 title, marking their seventh defeat at this level.
As champions, Won Ho-Seung Jae pocketed prize money of USD 107,500 (about RM439,232.55) while Aaron-Wooi Yik earned USD 50,750 (approximately RM207,745.12). – Bernama
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