Malaysian badminton could be on the verge of one of its biggest men’s doubles shake-ups in recent years after indications emerged that national No. 1 pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik are set to compete with new partners at the upcoming Japan Open 2026.
According to the latest qualification and entry lists released for the tournament scheduled from July 14-19, Malaysia’s long-standing world-class partnership appears to have been temporarily separated as part of a major doubles restructuring exercise.
The entries show: Man Wei Chong / Soh Wooi Yik, Aaron Chia / Tee Kai Wun
The registrations have immediately sparked discussion among Malaysian badminton fans, as it could signal a significant strategic move by the coaching setup ahead of the second half of the 2026 season.
For nearly a decade, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik have been synonymous with Malaysian men’s doubles success.
The pair established themselves as one of the world’s elite combinations, becoming Malaysia’s first-ever men’s doubles world champions and consistently challenging for titles on the BWF World Tour.
Their partnership has delivered numerous historic moments, including World Championship glory, Olympic medals, and victories over some of the sport’s biggest names.
As a result, the possibility of the duo competing separately naturally comes as a surprise.
While neither the Badminton Association of Malaysia nor the coaching staff has officially announced a permanent split, the Japan Open entries suggest experimentation with fresh combinations may be underway.
Credit Photo : SBA
