Chia and Soh Advance to Quarterfinals at 2026 BWF World Championships

In New Delhi, India, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik have advanced to the men’s doubles quarterfinals of the 2026 BWF World Championships, bringing them one step closer to securing their third championship medal. The Malaysian pair, currently ranked fourth in the world, progressed without having to compete in the third round due to the withdrawal of their compatriots Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, who were unable to play due to Tee's illness.

National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky confirmed that Tee suffered from diarrhea, leading to the concession of the match. This unexpected advancement places Chia and Soh in the last eight, where a victory would guarantee them at least a bronze medal.

Chia and Soh have a notable history at the World Championships, having made headlines as Malaysia's first world champions in men’s doubles at the 2022 event in Tokyo, followed by a bronze medal in 2023 in Copenhagen. Their consistent performances have established them as a formidable duo in international badminton.

Their upcoming quarterfinal match will see them face the winner between China’s Hu Ke Yuan and Lin Xiang Yi and Denmark’s 13th-seeded pair Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard. The duo is aware of the stakes, as a win would further solidify their legacy at this prestigious tournament.

In addition to Chia and Soh's success, Malaysia's Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani also reached the quarterfinals after defeating Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Hsiang Chieh and Wang Chi-Lin. They are set to face South Korea’s top-seeded duo Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae in their next match.