KUALA LUMPUR: In just over a year, Indonesia's Flandy Limpele made India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty a top-10 pair.
But things are set to look very different for the newly appointed men's doubles coach when he arrives in KL next month.
Flandy must try to better his record and the only way to do that is by inspiring national No 1 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to a podium finish at next year's Tokyo Olympics.
Over the past one year, Aaron-Wooi Yik have not only become among the top-10 pairs in the world, but have reached the All England final, under another Indonesian coach Paulus Firman.
However, more is expected of the duo, while Paulus has been moved to the mixed doubles department.
"It won't be easy for coach Flandy. I know he is a former Olympic bronze medallist and has done great things for the Indian national team, but he only has about one year to get us up to a higher level," Wooi Yik told Timesport yesterday.
"We won't be where we are today if not for Paulus. At the same time, we are looking forward to having coach Flandy join us.
"I hope Flandy will beef up our tactical game.
"Aaron and I are already up there among the best pairs in the world. We just need a winning edge," added Wooi Yik, who immediately began researching on Flandy, after the BA of Malaysia (BAM) confirmed his appointment as men's doubles head coach last week.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, the World No 9, will restart training at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara on June 1, along with 14 other teammates, who were granted relaxation by the federal government amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Flandy and newly appointed women's doubles coach Chan Chong Ming are expected to start on June 15.
"Apart from knowing that coach Flandy was an Olympic bronze medallist, I went on YouTube to watch some of his previous games.
"I'm really excited to see what he has to offer. More importantly, I'm looking forward to training on court again," Wooi Yik said.