KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will undergo a special physical training programme to regain their edge ahead of the All England in March.
The move follows their first-round exit at the Indonesia Masters in Jakarta to Denmark's world No. 28 Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard. National doubles coach Herry IP said the four-week block, designed by BA of Malaysia (BAM) sports science and medicine head Koh Weat Teck, aims to address the pair's physical conditioning.
"I will be consulting those concerned to prepare a special programme to improve their physical condition," said Herry.
"The demands of the current men's doubles are so high that players have to be in top condition to fight for victories."
Herry noted that Aaron-Wooi Yik were slow and prone to unforced errors during their defeat in Indonesia.
He added that with Aaron, 29, and Wooi Yik, 28, the pair require longer training blocks to maintain performance and prevent injury.
The All England (March 3-8) remains a primary target for Aaron-Wooi Yik and the other Malaysian pairs, alongside the World Championships in New Delhi in August and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya in September.
Aaron-Wooi Yik were runners-up at the All England in 2019 and 2024.
"We have about four weeks to work on the shortcomings and be in optimum condition," said Herry.
The pair will use the Super 300 German Open from Feb 24-March 1 as a warm-up for Birmingham.
Malaysia will be represented by eight pairs in the men's doubles, including Aaron-Wooi Yik and world No. 6 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun.
The rest are world No. 9 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King (world No. 19), Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong (No. 27), Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri (No. 34), Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 35) and Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing (No. 36).
In the women's doubles, world No. 2 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee (No. 25) will lead the Malaysian challenge.
The mixed doubles will feature world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, world No. 11 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin (No. 20), Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing (No. 35) and Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien (No. 37).
In the men's singles, world No. 30 Leong Jun Hao is the sole Malaysian qualifier.
World No. 103 Zii Jia missed the cut for the first time since his debut in 2020.
