BIRMINGHAM, England – Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pairing, faced another agonizing defeat at the All England Open on Sunday, March 8, 2026, falling to Korea’s Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae in a hard-fought rubber game. The loss at the Utilita Arena marks the third time the Malaysian duo have finished as runners-up at the prestigious tournament, continuing a frustrating trend for the pair and the nation.
The match, lasting 63 minutes, concluded with a score of 21-18, 12-21, 19-21 in favor of the world number one Korean team. Despite the disappointment, Chia and Soh are focusing on the lessons learned and the continued guidance of their coach, Herry Iman Pierngadi.
This defeat comes after previous runner-up finishes in 2019 and 2024, both times falling to Indonesian opponents. The All England Open continues to prove a challenging hurdle for Malaysian badminton, despite consistent appearances in the latter stages of the competition.
Following the match, Aaron Chia emphasized the importance of taking away valuable experience from the loss. “Of course, losing again is painful, but we have learned a lot,” Chia said, as reported by NST. “We failed to win our first Super 1000 title, but it’s not our time yet.”
The pair’s journey to the final, and their consistent performance throughout the 2025 season, has been largely attributed to the influence of coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, affectionately known as the “Fire Dragon Coach.” He joined the team three months prior to their recent successes, bringing a sense of stability and confidence to their game.
Chia previously highlighted Pierngadi’s approach, stating that the coach consistently reminds them to enjoy the game and avoid putting undue pressure on themselves during training and matches. This mindset, they believe, allows them to play more freely and perform at their best. This philosophy was particularly evident during their successful run in 2025, which included titles at the Asian Championships, Thailand Open, and Singapore Open, alongside a runner-up finish at the Malaysia Masters.
The demanding schedule leading up to the All England Open, with three consecutive weeks of top-level competition, presented a significant challenge for Chia and Soh. Soh Wooi Yik acknowledged the physical and mental toll, stating, “The biggest challenge is mental. The body is sore, strength fades, and it’s mentally exhausting. But we take it one day at a time—and persistence got us here.”
Soh Wooi Yik, currently ranked number 2 in the world with Aaron Chia as of January 13, 2026, has a decorated career, including a World Championship title in 2022, an Asian Championship title, and Olympic bronze medals. He was born on February 17, 1998, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and is currently coached by Rexy Mainaky alongside Herry Iman Pierngadi.
The Korean duo of Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae entered the final with a rest advantage, having only competed in the Sudirman Cup after March. This difference in recovery time may have played a role in the outcome, as Chia and Soh battled through a grueling stretch of tournaments.
Despite the setback, the Malaysian pair remain a force in the men’s doubles circuit. Their ability to communicate effectively under pressure, as Soh Wooi Yik noted after their Singapore Open win, is a key component of their success. “Our opponents were in great form. They were fast, and we felt ourselves slowing down. But the key was communication. We kept pushing each other and reminded ourselves not to fall into their rhythm. We pushed to the limit and forced them into mistakes.”
Looking ahead, the focus for Chia and Soh will undoubtedly be on building on their experiences and continuing to refine their game under the guidance of Herry Iman Pierngadi. The coach’s next mission, as highlighted by reports, is to support the pair reclaim the World Championship title. The pair will likely analyze their performance at the All England Open, identifying areas for improvement and preparing for upcoming tournaments on the BWF World Tour.
The next major event for the Malaysian duo is expected to be the Orleans Masters in April 2026, providing an opportunity to quickly rebound from this disappointment and build momentum for the remainder of the season. Fans can follow updates on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) website for schedules and results.
What are your thoughts on Chia and Soh’s performance at the All England Open? Share your opinions in the comments below, and let us know what you suppose their chances are for success at the upcoming tournaments.
