PETALING JAYA: World champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have been steadily inching towards the top of the world ranking as the Malaysians are now ranked third – their highest position in the men’s doubles standings.
Their march to the top is also in line with national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky’s principle that as a pair who are in pursuit of the 2024 Paris Olympics gold, Aaron-Wooi Yik should also eye the top spot in the world ranking.
Aaron-Wooi Yik moved up by one spot in the latest world ranking after occupying the fourth position for the last few weeks.
Rexy said the coaches will do their best to help Aaron-Wooi Yik to assume top spot in the coming months.
“Their priority is the 2024 Paris Olympics where they will be fighting for gold, so becoming the world No. 1 is also important to lift their confidence. We will try our best to make them the No. 1 but at the same time, the same objective should also be in their mind. It is also the same when it comes to winning gold in Paris. They have to start thinking about it.
“With their steady move up the ranking, is should also motivate them with the Malaysian Open getting closer.”
Aaron-Wooi Yik are seeded fourth in the Malaysian Open, which include current world No. 1 Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi of Japan and world No. 2 Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto of Indonesia.
There were minor changes in the men’s singles with Lee Zii Jia remaining at No. 2 while Ng Tze Yong dropped a place to No. 28.
Independent player Soong Joo Ven moved up six spots from No. 50 to No. 44 while another professional shuttler Cheam June Wei also improved from 53rd to 49th position.
Malaysia International Challenge champion Justin Hoh was the biggest mover as he improved by a massive 124 places to world No. 188.
Mixed doubles Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing made the top five as they went up by a spot to world No 5 while Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie are unchanged at No. 9.
