KUALA LUMPUR – The waiting game is over for Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who can now fully focus on their preparation for the Paris Olympics this month.
This comes following the conclusion of the delayed men’s doubles draw today.
World number five Aaron-Wooi Yik, bronze medallists from the previous edition, avoided having to play an extra match in the group stages after being drawn in Group A, alongside world number one and top seeds Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang of China, England’s Ben Lane-Sean Vendy, and Canada’s Dong Adam-Nyl Yakura.
Due to an earlier error in calculation by the Badminton World Federation, the men’s doubles draw was not conducted last week along with the rest of the other four disciplines.
Following a Court of Arbitration for Sports hearing, the men’s doubles draw at the Olympics will see a total of 17 pairs, including last-minute inclusions Lucas Corvee-Ronan Labar, competing for the top prize.
This means that pairs from one group, in this case, Group D, will have to play an extra match in the group stages as there will be five pairs instead of four.
Speaking to Scoop from Aire Sur La Lys, where the national badminton team is based for their centralised training camp before the Games, Aaron said he and Wooi Yik have one less concern now and can fully concentrate on their last leg of preparation.
“I agree, we are happy to avoid Group D because we don’t have to play an extra match.
“Having said that, we cannot rest on our laurels because this is the Olympics and we are not yet guaranteed a spot in the last eight.
“Regardless, we will now fully focus on our preparation for the Games and give our best to achieve our goal,” said Aaron, who is happy with the facilities in the northern town of France.
Separately, Akademi Badminton Malaysia coaching director Rexy Mainaky also expressed his relief.
“Group D looks like the group of death; we’re grateful to avoid that early on,” said Rexy when contacted.
Group D, which was drawn at random, includes world number two Kim Astrup-Anders-Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark, defending champions Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin of Taiwan, former world champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi of Japan, China’s Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi, and the United States’ Vinson Chiu-Joshua Yuan.
The badminton competition at the Olympics will commence on July 27 at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena. – July 15, 2024