Malaysian Duo Chia and Soh Reach All England Final, Eye Historic Title

Birmingham – Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia are one step closer to making history, securing their place in the final of the 2026 All England Badminton Championships. The world number two pair defeated China’s Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi 21-11, 21-19 in a compelling semi-final match on Sunday.

Dominant Performance, Hard-Fought Victory

The Malaysians started strong, displaying commanding play in the first game and closing it out comfortably at 21-11. The second game proved to be a greater challenge, with the Chinese duo mounting a determined comeback and briefly taking the lead at 18-15.

“We were quite dominant in the first game and did well to control their rhythm. We hardly gave them the chance to lift too much,” said Wooi Yik.

Soh Wooi Yik

However, Chia and Soh remained composed, rallying to level the score at 18-18 and ultimately sealing the game and the match 21-19.

Awaiting a Tough Test in the Final

Chia and Soh will now face top seeds Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae of South Korea, who overcame Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin of Indonesia 21-19, 21-13 in their semi-final match.

Seeking to End a Long Wait

This final appearance marks the third time the Malaysian pair have reached this stage of the tournament, having previously competed in the final in 2019 and 2024. A victory would deliver Malaysia’s first men’s doubles All England title in nearly two decades, a feat last achieved by Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong in 2007.

“We were down in the second but still focused on what we needed to do. We made some changes at a crucial time and it worked.”

Soh Wooi Yik

Wooi Yik emphasized a point-by-point approach, stating, To be honest, we want to focus point by point. That is what has brought us to this level and today. We will focus more on that than the result.

Semi-Final Results

• Men’s Singles: Lin Chun-yi (Tpe) bt Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Tha) 21-14, 18-21, 21-16. Lakshya Sen (Ind) bt Victor Lai (Jan) 21-16, 18-21, 21-15.
• Men’s Doubles: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (Mas) bt Chen Boyang-Liu Yi (Chn) 21-11, 21-19; Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae (Kor) bt Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin (Ina) 21-19, 21-13.
• Women’s Singles: An Se-young (Kor) bt Chen Yufei (Chn) 20-22, 21-9, 21-12; Wang Zhiyi (Chn) bt Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn) 21-15, 21-19.
• Women’s Doubles: Baek Ha-na-Lee So-hee (Kor) bt Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (Mas) 21-17, 21-18; Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning (Chn) bt Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian (Chn) 18-21, 21-17, 22-20.
• Mixed Doubles: Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue (Fra) bt Guo Xinwa-Chen Fang-hui (Chn) 11-21, 21-18, 21-12; Ye Hong Wei-Nicole Chan (Tpe) bt Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet (Hkg) 16-21, 21-15, 21-13.

The stage is set for a thrilling final as Chia and Soh aim to etch their names into Malaysian badminton history.