Just chill: Tan Boon Heong says Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have a relatively better draw.
PETALING JAYA: Don’t let nerves get to you – that is the advice former doubles ace Tan Boon Heong has for former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik who face a daunting task at the Olympic Games in Paris from July 25-Aug 13.
Aaron-Wooi Yik have been drawn to face world No. 1 Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang of China, England’s Ben Lane-Sean Vendy and Adam Dong-Nyl Yakura of Canada in Group A.
Boon Heong, however, said Aaron-Wooi Yik have received a relatively better draw than those who are in Group D.
That group have five pairs – Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (Den), Liu Yuchen-Ou Xuanyi (Chn), Lee Yang-Wang Chi-lin (Tpe), Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi (Jpn), and Vinson Chiu-Joshua Yuan (US).
“I think, the draw is not too bad compared to the others but they must be cautious against the English pair,” said Boon Heong, who felt Malaysia’s Tokyo Olympic Games bronze medal winners would have to stay cool to prevail.
Lane-Vendy, who have the tendency to rise when least expected, have beaten the Malaysian once in their five meetings. That was at another major tournament – in the semi-finals of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
“Nerves came into play when they faced the tricky English pair at the Commonwealth Games. The pressure will be great as they are expected to win. They just have to keep their cool,” said Boon Heong.
The biggest hurdle for the Malaysians are the Chinese hotshots Weikeng-Wang Chang.
Just chill: Tan Boon Heong says Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have a relatively better draw.
“They are doing really great as one of the most consistent pairs, but they are not unbeatable,” said Boon Heong.
“Groupings in Olympics are quite tactical, I hope our boys will stay focused to clear their group stage.”
Aaron-Wooi Yik have only won two of their last eight meetings against the fast-attacking Weikeng-Wang Chang. Only two pairs in each group will advance to the semis.
Meanwhile, Boon Heong said the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) decision to allow 17 men’s pairs instead of the usual 16, was an unavoidable situation.
French pair Ronan Labar-Lucas Corvee had successfully disputed a BWF decision via the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) after the world body miscalculated the ranking points and allowed Popov brothers Christo-Toma of France to qualify instead of Labar-Corvee. CAS however, ordered BWF to include the French pair.
“It’s unfair to have one extra pair as others have been really fighting hard to qualify for the Games,” said Boon Heong. “But again, it’s also unfair to Ronan-Lucas if they are not allowed to play because BWF made the mistake. It does not seem right, but everyone will just have to accept it.”
THE DRAW
Group A: Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang (Chn), Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (Mas), Ben Lane-Sean Vendy (Eng) and Adam Dong-Nyl Yakura (Can).
Group B: Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae (Kor), Christo Popov-Toma Popov (Fra), Supak Jomkoh-Kittinupong Kedren (Tha), Ondrej Kral-Adam Mendrek (Cze).
Group C: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty (Ind), Ronan Labar-Lucas Corvee (Fra), Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto (Ina), Mark Lamsfuss-Marvin Seidel (Ger).
Group D: Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (Den), Liu Yuchen-Ou Xuanyi (Chn), Lee Yang-Wang Chi-lin (Tpe), Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi (Jpn), and Vinson Chiu-Joshua Yuan (US)
