Badminton News: Top men’s doubles player Soh Wooi Yik doesn’t want to trust past records ahead of the 2023 Sudirman Cup in Suzhou, China.

Malaysia are in Group C with Taiwan, India and Australia for the world’s most prestigious mixed team championship.

Matches against Taiwan and India are expected to be fierce as both teams boast a very strong duo with reigning Olympic champions Lee Yang/Wang Chi Lin and new Asian champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty.

Besides Wooi Yik, the other men’s doubles players are Aaron Chia, Teo Ee Yi and Ong Yew Sin.

On paper, Aaron-Wooi Yik has a much better record against Satwiksairaj-Chirag as they have never lost to the Indian duo in seven encounters.

However, their one-on-one against Lee Yang-Chi Lin was unimpressive, winning only two of their six encounters.

Speaking to the press at the second edition of the President’s Cup (Sudirman Cup simulation) today, Wooi Yik said: “The past record is good to study and analyze our strengths and weaknesses. We have to look at the performance of our opponents at the moment and prepare for that as well,” he said.

“We never lost to Satwiksairaj-Chirag but now they are Asian champions so things have changed. I think the coaches will make the right decision. It doesn’t matter if I team up with Aaron or Ee Yi.”

In yesterday’s simulation match, Wooi Yik teamed with Ee Yi to defeat Aaron/Yew Sin 21-13, 21-19.

For the Sudirman Cup, only the top two teams will advance to the Round of 16.

As the fourth seed, Team Malaysia’s goal is to reach the semi-finals.

Since the inaugural edition in 1989, Malaysia have only reached the semi-finals twice, once in 2009 and again in the previous edition in Vantaa, Finland two years ago.

Article tags: Aaron Chia, Soh Wooi Yik, Lee Yang, Wang Chi Lin, Sudirman Cup 2023