The Malaysian men’s doubles badminton team, consisting of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, clinched the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 after an impressive victory over Denmark’s Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in the crucial match.
Their journey to the bronze medal was not without its challenges. Aaron and Wooi Yik’s dreams of reaching the final were dashed when they faced a tough defeat against China’s top-ranked team, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, in the semi-finals.
The match was intensely competitive, with the Malaysian pair losing by a narrow margin with scores of 19-21, 21-15, 17-21. Despite this setback, the world No. 3 Malaysian duo did not let their spirits falter.
Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik clinched bronze at Paris Olympics 2024
In the bronze medal match today, Aaron and Wooi Yik showcased their resilience and determination. The Danish pair, Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, took the lead in the first game, putting the Malaysians on the back foot with a score of 16-21.
However, Aaron and Wooi Yik fought back tenaciously. In the second game, they found themselves on the brink of defeat, facing four match points. Demonstrating incredible mental strength and skill, they managed to save all four match points, turning the tide in their favour with a 22-20 win, thus forcing the match into a decisive third game.
In the final game, the Malaysian duo took control from the outset. Despite some nerve-wracking moments, they maintained their composure and ultimately emerged victorious with a score of 21-19, securing the bronze medal after an exhilarating 69-minute match at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena in Paris.
This remarkable achievement adds to their previous success, as Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik had also won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Their consistent performance on such a prestigious platform underscores their status as one of the top men’s doubles teams in the world.
Malaysia will get another chance at an Olympic bronze medal tomorrow when singles star Lee Zii Jia faces India’s Lakshya Sen. This follows his semi-final defeat earlier today, where he lost 14-21, 15-21 to Thailand’s reigning world champion, Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
(Hero and feature images credit: Getty Images/ Michael Reaves)
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Written by
Melissa Foong
Senior Digital Writer, Entertainment and Dining
Born and raised in the beautiful city of Kuala Lumpur, Melissa loves writing all things entertainment, music and dining-related. She has written for BURO 24/7 and Augustman, and when she's not busy chasing deadlines, you can find her tucked in a blanket rereading her favourite series of fantasy novels, Harry Potter.
