Agong Congratulates Aaron Chia & Soh Wooi Yik For Winning World Badminton Championships
Malaysia has never won the top prize in the tournament's 45-year history.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 29 Aug 2022, 09:51 AM
The Agong and the Raja Permaisuri have congratulated national men's doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik for becoming the first Malaysians to win the 2022 World Badminton Championships
In a statement yesterday, 28 August, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah said they are proud of the duo for their triumphal victory in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday.
"Their Majesties have both expressed a sense of joy and pride over the success, which has made Malaysia famous on the world stage," read the statement on the Istana Negara Facebook page.
"The outstanding achievements of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik have once again proved that Malaysia is capable of producing quality and international level athletes. It also proves that with dedication, a strong fighting spirit, and earnest efforts, Malaysians are able to compete and succeed at the world level."
Their Majesties hope that Chia and Soh can continue to train hard for the upcoming tournaments and become a source of inspiration for all Malaysians.
The national badminton men's doubles pair rose to the occasion yesterday at the World Championships in Tokyo, defeating Indonesian pair Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan 21-19, 21-14
According to New Straits Times, the world's number six pair, who were criticised in the past for failing to manage their nerves in big matches, came from behind to win six straight points at 12-18, before securing the first game 21-19.
In the next game, Chia and Soh managed to maintain a huge lead and end the match with seven points ahead, smashing out world number three Ahsan-Hendra, who were unbeaten at the World Championships.
Malaysia has never won the top prize in the tournament's 45-year history. Many badminton fans thanked Chia and Soh for giving Malaysia the best Hari Kebangsaan gift on social media.
Aaron Chia (right) and Soh Woo Yik at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday.
Image via EPA via New Straits TimesSpeaking to reporters, the duo said Tokyo is a lucky place for them as the city awarded them a bronze medal last year at the Olympics
"Last year, we got the bronze medal in Tokyo (during the Olympics), and this year, we got the gold medal for the World Championships in Tokyo," Chia said at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium after winning the tournament, reported Astro Arena.
"So, actually, I think Tokyo is a lucky place for us. I hope that maybe all the tournaments will [be held] in Tokyo."
The duo thanked the Malaysians for their continuous support, before cheering, "Yes, we did it!"
