Aaron backs Malaysian shuttlers to improve on World Championships showing

BWF World Championships bronze medalist Aaron Chia said Malaysian shuttlers would do everything they can to improve after the contingent only managed one medal through him and Soh Wooi Yik from the recently concluded meet.

“I feel everyone is doing their best to improve. Of course, when we are not winning, people will comment, and that’s how they may view it.

“As for us, we are still grateful to win a medal for Malaysia. We know what we need to improve on and we’ll work on it,” he said.

The return of one bronze was a downgrade from the gold clinched by them last year, ultimately leaving Malaysia as the ninth most successful nation, behind the likes of Thailand, England and Spain.

While Chia-Soh’s bronze was the 14th of that colour won since the tournament’s inception in 1977, the hunt to add on to the solitary gold medal won last year continues in painstaking fashion.

Kunlavut Vitidsarn’s success in becoming Thailand’s maiden men’s singles champion at 22 also showed the disparity of the levels in the discipline between both countries.

Behind Indonesia, Thailand also gradually established itself as a powerhouse in the Asian region.

Vitidsarn’s victory was their third gold at the World Championships, following in the footsteps of Ratchanok Intanon (women's singles) and Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taeraatanachai (mixed doubles).

In comparison, Ng Tze Yong and Lee Zii Jia crashed out in the second and third round in Copenhagen respectively.

Malaysian icon Lee Chong Wei had also questioned the Malaysian shuttlers’ fitness, pointing out that Vitidsarn and Kodai Naraoka battled for close two hours in the final after coming through five rounds of matches.

However, the upcoming Asian Games should present an immediate opportunity at redemption for the national contingent.

Malaysia last won a gold medal in the multisport team event through former men’s doubles pair Koo Kien Kiat-Tan Boon Heong.

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