Malaysia’s challenge at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 came to a complete halt after men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik were eliminated in the quarter-finals in Ningbo, China.
The world No.2 duo and defending champions fell to South Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju in a gripping three-game battle 19–21, 28–26, 13–21, confirming that no Malaysian representatives advanced to the semi-finals of the continental tournament.
Aaron and Wooi Yik, who entered the tournament as the reigning champions, delivered a spirited performance against the Korean pair.
They fought intensely in the opening game but narrowly lost 19–21. However, the Malaysians responded strongly in the second game, displaying resilience and composure to edge a dramatic 28–26 victory, forcing the match into a decisive third game.
Despite their determined comeback, the Malaysian pair struggled to maintain the same intensity in the deciding game.
Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju produced a more consistent display in the final set, gradually pulling away before sealing the win 21–13 to book their place in the semi-finals.
Aaron and Wooi Yik had arrived in Ningbo hoping to defend the title they won last year after defeating China’s Chen Boyang and Liu Yi 21–19, 21–17 in the final.
Their quarter-final defeat now ends Malaysia’s journey in this year’s tournament.
The elimination also confirms that all Malaysian representatives bowed out in the quarter-finals, including mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, as well as women’s doubles duo Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan.
Meanwhile, Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju will face Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in the semi-finals after the Indonesian pair defeated Taiwan’s Lee Fang Chih and Lee Fang Jen 21–15, 21–18.
Credit Photo : Badminton Asia
