Rexy Mainaky aiming to push Aaron, Wooi Yik harder in 2022

One of Rexy Mainaky’s first tasks as new national deputy coaching director is to crack the whip on top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, including implementing a more rigorous training regime to toughen them up.

Since capturing bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, Chia-Soh went off the rails with several sub-standard showings, including at their last two two tournaments of the year that saw them crash out in the second round.

“The training must be tough. It is not meant to torture them but to make them champions besides shaping their mindset to understanding what to do on court.

“We have to find out why they are inconsistent. At their level, they cannot afford to be like this. Even when you’re in a rut, you can’t drop too low. They must also qualify for the semi-finals of every competition they compete in after this.

“Quarter-finals would be considered a failure for players of their level,” Rexy said.

The Indonesian great, whose duties involve elevating the standard of the doubles department, would be aiming to make Chia-Soh a better pair compared to when he was in charge of Koo Kien Kiat-Tan Boon Heong during his first stint as men’s doubles coach from 2005-2012.

Back then, he propelled the Malaysians to the world number one ranking, besides seeing them win an Asian Games gold in 2006 and a World Championships silver medal four years later.

But despite their success, the pair did not win a medal at the Olympics and missed out on the World Championships gold, which Rexy would look to rectify.

Besides that, the Indonesian would also look to manage the doubles departments’ involvement on the international circuit.

This came after Chia had a riff with the national body last month after he criticised them for failing to qualify for the 2021 BWF World Tour Finals, citing their non-involvement at the Hylo Open.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) later shot back, saying it was their policy to not allow shuttlers to play in more than four back-to-back tournaments, adding the pair had missed their chance by pulling out of the All-England after being included.

Rexy is scheduled to meet the core national squad after their quarantine period ends following their return from Spain after the World Championships.