Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik may have fallen short of the title, but their impressive run at the All England Open Badminton Championships 2026 still earned them a significant financial reward.
The Malaysian duo finished as runners-up after losing a thrilling men’s doubles final to South Korea’s Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. The match went the distance before the Korean pair sealed victory in three games.
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Aaron and Wooi Yik displayed strong form throughout the tournament, defeating several top-ranked pairs on their way to the final. Their run included an impressive semi-final victory over China’s Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi, securing their place in the championship match.
Although they ultimately missed out on the prestigious title, their performance reinforced their status as one of the world’s top men’s doubles partnerships.
For finishing as runners-up in the Super 1000 tournament, the Malaysians received US$50,750 (approximately RM200,000) in prize money, which is shared between the two players.
The champions, Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, earned US$107,300, reflecting the lucrative prize pool offered at one of badminton’s most prestigious tournaments.
The 2026 edition of the tournament carried a total prize fund of US$1.45 million, highlighting its status as one of the most important events on the BWF World Tour calendar.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the title, the achievement remains significant. It marked their third All England final appearance, following previous runner-up finishes in 2019 and 2024.
Beyond the prize money, the pair also gained valuable world ranking points and global recognition, strengthening their position among the elite in international badminton.
For Malaysian fans, the wait for another men’s doubles All England champion continues, but Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik’s performance proves they remain serious contenders for major titles in the near future.
