KUALA LUMPUR – National badminton legend Datuk Cheah Soon Kit is hoping to witness a historic all-Malaysian men’s doubles final at the 2025 World Championships in Paris next month.
With top-ranked pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and 2022 world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik currently sitting at world No. 1 and No. 2, Soon Kit believes the dream is within reach.
“Hopefully both pairs can enter the final, and of course the gold and silver medals will be ours,” he said at the launch of Sentuhan Wira, a film chronicling Malaysia’s 1992 Thomas Cup victory, Bernama reported.
The former national men’s doubles coach hailed the rise of Malaysian pairs, calling it a proud moment for the country’s doubles scene. However, he warned that staying on top would require relentless effort, as competitors are now closely analysing their game.
“To stay ahead, they must constantly analyse their performance and keep improving,” he said.
On the longer-term outlook, Soon Kit was more cautious. He said qualifying two men’s pairs for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was possible. Still, he warned it would depend on the players’ commitment, fitness, and discipline over the coming years, particularly in training, recovery, and injury prevention.
The last time Malaysia fielded two men’s pairs at the Olympics was in 2008, with Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah representing the country in Beijing.
Meanwhile, Sentuhan Wira, which Soon Kit co-developed with fellow legend Datuk Rashid Sidek, aims to capture the spirit of Malaysia’s 1992 Thomas Cup triumph. Both men are serving as advisors to the production, contributing to the script and technical research to ensure historical and emotional accuracy.
Directed by Lenny Ooi, the film is set to begin shooting in November and will be released in cinemas next year. – July 3, 2025