KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 — Malaysia’s men’s doubles head coach Herry IP has urged Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik to undergo a complete reset in physical conditioning after the pair failed to progress beyond the group stage at the BWF World Tour Finals.
The world No. 2 duo secured only one victory in three matches in Hangzhou, bowing out of a tournament considered one of the most prestigious on the badminton calendar. While their technical level remains unquestioned, Herry said their declining physical sharpness prevented them from sustaining competitive intensity against the world’s strongest combinations.
He emphasised that as mature players, pressure should not be an issue for Aaron–Soh. Instead, what stood out was their inability to maintain tempo in long rallies and extended matches, something he believes must be addressed urgently.
Herry also highlighted that physical concerns were evident long before the Finals, pointing to their defeat at the SEA Games as an early indicator. He believes the setback should now act as a wake-up call, particularly with the 2026 season rapidly approaching.
Malaysia’s woes continued in Group A, where Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun also failed to progress, suffering two costly defeats despite showing encouraging fighting spirit in patches.
With the Malaysia Open just weeks away, Herry stressed there is no room for complacency. Aaron–Soh must regain peak fitness to remain competitive against the world’s top four pairs, while Tee’s full injury recovery will be critical in restoring his pairing’s rhythm.
He concluded that physical strength is now a key battleground in world badminton. Without stronger conditioning and endurance, Malaysia’s top pairs risk falling behind rivals who are faster, stronger and consistently more resilient in demanding matches.