Herry hails Aaron-Wooi Yik's fine run as extraordinary
National men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: It is rare for players to hit the ground running under the charge of a new coach but doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have shown that they are an exception.
And even doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi is surprised with how Aaron-Wooi Yik had turned their game around.
On Sunday, Aaron-Wooi Yik captured the Singapore Open by beating a formidable pair in Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae of South Korea to make it one of their best years in terms of winning World Tour titles.
It was their fourth final appearance this year and third back-to-back finals. They had won the Asian Championships in April and competed in the Sudirman Cup in China before returning to lift the Thailand Open and finishing as the runners-up at the Malaysian Masters.
"They have been playing for three straight weeks and still went on to win the title in Singapore...this is extraordinary," beamed Herry.
"I think, there was a drop in their physical form in Singapore and that was expected but they made it up with strong determination to win. I'm proud of them.
Aaron-Wooi Yik will begin their campaign in the Indonesian Open in Jakarta on Tuesday (June 3) but Herry is keeping the boys on their feet.
"I'm not setting any big targets but I just want them to give their best," added Herry.
The world No. 3 will take on Denmark's Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard in the opening round.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Pedalling into unknown?
Inspirational: JCL Team Ukyo rider Matteo Malucelli (fourth left) celebrating with teammates after winning the Stage 8 of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) in Bintulu last year. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star


New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Liek Hou battles through pain for two Asian Para badminton titles
KUALA LUMPUR: Cheah Liek Hou bagged a brilliant double at the Asian Para Championships once again but not without a major scare in the men's singles final against long-time rival Dheva Anrimusthi in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on Sunday. Liek Hou, a two-time Paralympic champion, held his nerve to edge the Indonesian 21-19, 15-21, 21-19 in a tense SU5 final, surviving a late fightback that saw Dheva save four match points before the Malaysian finally sealed it. Despite struggling with a right heel injury, Liek Hou later returned to the court to partner Fareez Anuar and clinch the men's doubles title with a 21-14, 21-18 win over India's Hardik Makkar-Ruthick Ragupathi. It marked his 10th career title at the Asian Championships — a quadrennial event last held in 2016 and cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. "I picked up the heel injury last year and have been getting treatment since, but I haven't stopped competing," said Liek Hou. "It gets painful after tough tournaments like this, but I'm coping well. Dheva also isn't playing many tournaments right now — we're both focused on the Asian Para Games in Nagoya next year." The latest triumph continues an impressive run for Liek Hou, who also completed the double at the Dubai and Spanish Para Championships earlier this year. He also paid tribute to his main sponsor, the Akisama Group, and its managing director Tan Sri Bernard Chang Koon Wah, for their continued support. "Their backing has allowed me to compete regularly on the world para circuit," he added. Malaysia had more reason to celebrate as Amin Burhanuddin captured his first major international title, claiming the men's singles SL4 crown with a 23-21, 21-15 win over India's Surya Kant Yadav. Amin has been training under Liek Hou's coach, Nova Armada, for the past seven months, and his progress hasn't gone unnoticed. "It was great to see Liek Hou push through the pain barrier to win two titles," said Nova. "But I'm also very impressed with how Amin performed. He's already 31, but I believe he has what it takes to win a medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics before he retires." Liek Hou and several of the national para shuttlers will now turn their attention to the British and Irish Para Internationals in Cardiff next month. RESULTS Finals (Malaysians unless stated) Men's singles SU5: Cheah Liek Hou bt Dheva Anrimusthi (Ina) 21-19, 15-21, 21-18. Doubles: Cheah Liek Hou-Fareez Anuar bt Hardik Makkar-Ruthick Ragupathi (Ind) 21-14, 21-18. Men's singles SL4: Amin Burhanuddin bt Surya Kant Yadav (Ind) 23-21, 21-15. Men's singles wheelchair: Qu Zi Mo (Chn) bt Ikhwan Ramli 21-9, 21-16.


The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Maniam continues to shine as he receives honorary membership from WSF
Major (rtd) S. Maniam. —LOW BOON TAT/The Star. PETALING JAYA: From a humble beginning to being honoured by the world body in squash - the journey sums up Major (rtd) S. Maniam's limitless love for the sport over four decades. On Saturday, Maniam was thrilled to receive the honorary membership from the World Squash Federation (WSF) for his tireless service and dedication to promote the game in his different capacities. The 71-year-old has done it all - as a player; a coach of junior and senior groups at home and abroad; sports administrator from the lower to higher levels; and as an advisor. Maniam, who stepped down as Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) national coaching director at the end of last year and took up an advisory role, is honoured over the recognition. "I am truly honoured and humbled to receive the honorary membership from the WSF," said Maniam. "This recognition is not just about me—it reflects the many people, both in Malaysia and around the world, who have walked this journey with me. "I have been fortunate to serve the sport I love for over four decades, from grassroots development to the international stage. Along the way, I've had the privilege of working with passionate individuals, dedicated administrators, and countless young athletes who continue to inspire me. "This award is a reminder of the value of service and the power of sport to unite and uplift. I hope it encourages others to give back to the game and the community that has given us all so much. "I am grateful to WSF, SRAM, the Asian Squash Federation, and all my colleagues and friends who have supported me through the you for being part of this journey," added Maniam. Maniam was among those who fought hard for squash's inclusion in the Olympics for the first time in 2028. On his hopes for the sport in Malaysia, Maniam said: "The dream of all Malaysian squash enthusiasts, not just me, is to get the elusive gold medal in the Olympics through squash for the country. "I also hope to see Malaysian Squash be top four in the world in all categories (senior and junior men and women). "Finally, I also want to see squash becoming a premier racket sport in every state in the country."