Birmingham, England – Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik are one step closer to badminton glory, securing their place in the All England Open final after a dominant performance against China’s Chen Boyang and Liu Yi on Saturday. The world No. 2 pairing dispatched their opponents 21-11, 21-19 in a 42-minute semi-final match at the Utilita Arena Birmingham, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown with top seeds Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae of South Korea.
This marks the third time Aaron-Wooi Yik have reached the All England final, having previously appeared in the championship match in 2019, and 2024. The 2024 edition saw them fall to Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, whereas in 2019, Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia claimed the title. This year, they’ll be looking to finally break through and claim the coveted crown, ending Malaysia’s 19-year wait for an All England Open men’s doubles championship.
The Malaysians started strong, quickly establishing control in the first game. They reeled off a series of points to build a significant lead, ultimately taking the game 21-11 in just 15 minutes. The second game proved to be a tougher test, with the Chinese duo mounting a spirited comeback. Chen and Liu surged ahead, leading 18-13 at one point, threatening to force a deciding game.
However, Aaron and Soh demonstrated resilience and tactical awareness. A crucial shift in strategy allowed them to claw their way back into contention, reeling off five consecutive points to level the score at 18-18. Despite a brief lead for the Chinese pair, the Malaysians ultimately prevailed, securing the game 21-19 and with it, their spot in the final.
“We were quite dominant in the first game and did well to control their rhythm. We hardly gave them the chance to lift too much,” Wooi Yik said after the match. The pair credited their coach, Herry Iman Pierngadi, for providing crucial guidance during a tense second game. “Yes, the coaches were screaming to stay above the noise from the loud crowd. They were just trying to motivate us,” Wooi Yik explained. “We were down in the second but still focused on what we needed to do. We made some changes at a crucial time and it worked.”
The victory wasn’t without its challenges. The Malaysians acknowledged the pressure of the occasion and the need to remain composed amidst a vocal crowd. Their ability to refocus and execute their game plan under pressure proved to be the key to their success.
Their opponents in the final, Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, also secured their place in the championship match with a 21-19, 21-13 victory over Indonesia’s Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin. The Korean duo are the top seeds in the tournament and will present a formidable challenge to Aaron and Soh.
Looking ahead to the final, Wooi Yik emphasized a point-by-point approach. “To be honest, we want to focus point by point. That is what has brought us to this level and today. We will focus more on that than the result,” he stated. This pragmatic mindset reflects a determination to stay grounded and execute their game plan without getting overwhelmed by the magnitude of the occasion.
All England Open Semi-Final Results (March 7, 2026):
- Men’s Singles: Lin Chun-yi (Tpe) bt Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Tha) 21-14, 18-21, 21-16; Lakshya Sen (Ind) bt Victor Lai (Can) 21-16, 18-21, 21-15.
- Men’s Doubles: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (Mas) bt Chen Boyang-Liu Yi (Chn) 21-11, 21-19; Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae (Kor) bt Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin (Ina) 21-19, 21-13.
- Women’s Singles: An Se-young (Kor) bt Chen Yufei (Chn) 20-22, 21-9, 21-12; Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn) bt Wang Zhiyi (Chn) 21-15, 21-19.
- Women’s Doubles: Baek Ha-na-Lee So-hee (Kor) bt Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (Mas) 21-17, 21-18; Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning (Chn) bt Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian (Chn) 18-21, 21-17, 22-20.
- Mixed Doubles: Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue (Fra) bt Guo Xinwa-Chen Fang-hui (Chn) 11-21, 21-18, 21-12; Ye Hong Wei-Nicole Chan (Tpe) bt Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet (Hkg) 16-21, 21-15, 21-13.
The All England Open final between Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik and Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae is scheduled for Sunday, March 8th, and promises to be a thrilling contest. Fans can follow the action live from the Utilita Arena Birmingham, with updates available on the Badminton World Federation website. This match represents a significant opportunity for the Malaysian duo to finally secure the All England title and etch their names into badminton history.
What are your predictions for the final? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
