Malaysia’s men’s doubles badminton pairs failed to secure a medal at the Asian Games 2026, prompting strong criticism from national badminton legend Rashid Sidek regarding a recent tactical overhaul by coaches Rexy Mainaky and Herry IP. The coaching setup deployed two combinations: Aaron Chia paired with Kai Wun Tee, alongside independent pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin.
Tactical Overhaul Under Fire After Medal Drought
Following the conclusion of the Asian Games 2026, the decision by Badminton Association of Malaysia directors Rexy Mainaky and Herry IP to reshuffle the men’s doubles division faced sharp scrutiny. Rashid Sidek publicly criticized the experimental partnerships, pointing directly to the lack of hardware from the tournament as proof that the changes did not work. Malaysia’s top-tier hopes rested on Aaron Chia and Kai Wun Tee, a partnership forged through the recent coaching shakeup, alongside independent duo Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin.
The newly formed Chia and Tee partnership struggled to make a deep tournament run, bowing out in the second round. While they secured an easy opening-round victory against Tajikistan representatives Olidzhon Abdurakhimov and Dzhumaboi Saidov, they fell short in the next stage against the world’s top-ranked men’s doubles pair, Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae. According to Sidek, breaking up established pairings and introducing fresh combinations negatively impacted the squad’s tournament draw and overall stability.
Tournament Performance Breakdown
| Malaysian Pair | Partnership Status | Asian Games 2026 Result | Notable Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Chia / Kai Wun Tee | Coaching Experiment (Rexy Mainaky & Herry IP) | Eliminated in Round 2 | Lost to Kim Won-ho / Seo Seung-jae |
| Goh Sze Fei / Nur Izzuddin | Independent Pair | No Medal Won | – |
Coaches and pairings for Malaysian men's doubles
Who coached the new Malaysian men’s doubles combinations at the Asian Games 2026?
The experimental pairings were put together by Rexy Mainaky and Herry IP in conjunction with the Badminton Association of Malaysia.
Which Malaysian pairs competed in the men’s doubles event?
Malaysia entered two pairs into the tournament: the newly formed partnership of Aaron Chia and Kai Wun Tee, and the independent duo of Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin.
What did Rashid Sidek say about the team changes?
Rashid Sidek stated that the experimental changes were ill-timed and unfavorable, particularly harming the players’ seeding and draw prospects after both pairs failed to capture a medal.