BAM MD split: 4 examples of top pairs who succeded with new partners

The decision to split national men’s doubles pairs Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun is the latest example of successful pairs who have been split in elite badminton.

Stadium Astro takes a look at other successful pairs who were separated, but went on to find success with their new partners.

Seo Seung-jae-Kim Won-ho (South Korea)

This world number one may perform like a seasoned pair, but in fact Seo-Kim only started playing together since last year.

It was a combination that took off immediately, as Seo-Kim won in their first ever competition at the Malaysia Open.

Seo then went on to partner Jin Yong where he won the Thailand Masters, before resuming his partnership with Kim.

Together, Seo-Kim have already clinched 15 titles together including being crowned Asian and World Champions.

Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri (Indonesia)

Fajar was ranked fifth in the world with his previous partner Rian Ardianto and the pair were hitting the highs after winning the All-England twice, among other successes.

But when Shohibul’s partner Daniel Marthin was ruled out to injury, the decision was made to temporarily pair Fajar with him.

Fajar-Shohibul clicked right away by winning the China Open after beating Chia-Soh, before finishing second in four other top-tier tournaments.

This pair are currently second on the world rankings behind Seo-Kim and recently earned a runner-up finish at the Singapore Open.

Fu Haifeng-Zhang Nan (China)

Fu and Cai Yun are regarded are one of the top men’s doubles pair to have ever played the game.

But, all great things must also end and so did their partnership.

Fu went on to partner mixed doubles champion Zhang Nan and the pair achieved decent success by finishing runners-up in several events.

The highlight of their partnership came when Fu-Zhang beat Malaysians Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong to win the 2016 Olympics gold.

Lee Yong-dae (South Korea)

This South Korean doubles specialist has proven himself as the dream partner to any high-level shuttler.

During a trophy-laden career, Lee reached the world number ranking with four different partners: Jung Jae-sung, Ko Sung-hyun, Yoo Yeon-seong in the men’s doubles and Lee Hyo-jung in the mixed doubles.

The 37-year-old won the Olympics mixed doubles gold with Hyo-jung in 2008, and added a bronze in 2012 edition with Jung.

While he never won a World Championships gold, he finished second twice with different partners in in Jung and Yoo.

With Ko, he won the French Open and Korea Open among other successes.