AFTER guiding Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to Malaysia's first world title in badminton, doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky knows the onus is now on him to produce the nation's first Olympic champions next.
The 54-year-old Indonesian is taking it upon himself to help Malaysia realise the lofty ambition at the 2024 Paris Olympics without relying on Aaron-Wooi Yik as the only hope.
Rexy has vowed to whip up at least one more pair under his charge to be worthy contenders at the Paris Games.
"As a coach, we always have to keep ourselves motivated by constantly challenging for bigger things," said Rexy.
"Yes, we want to win gold at the Paris Olympics, but we can't just let Aaron-Wooi Yik shoulder the responsibility on their own.
"So for me, the challenge is to produce a few more title-winning pairs to back up Aaron-Wooi Yik and fight alongside them leading to the Olympics.
"I believe many of Aaron-Wooi Yik's teammates are inspired by their success and want to emulate them."
Like the World Championships, Malaysia, too, had come close on a few occasions for gold at the Olympics, with two being in the men's doubles event.
Rexy himself had inflicted a painful memory for Malaysians at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, when he and Ricky Subadja defeated Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock in the final.
Rexy certainly has no shortage of players in his department, but it depends on whether he can work his magic on established pairs like world No 12 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No 28) and Wan Arif Junaidi-Haikal Nazri (No 60).
During his first stint in Malaysia from 2005-2012, Rexy had Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Chong Tan Fook-Lee
Wan Wah, Gan Teik Chai-Zakry Latif and Lin Woon Fui-Fairuzizuan Tazari, all ranked in the top 20, then.
But Rexy knows that even if a country has a few good pairs, it will not guarantee success in major events.
"It is the kind of happiness and satisfaction that I just cannot describe in words," said Rexy, who was in tears when Aaron-Wooi Yik clinched the winning point in the 21-19, 21-14 victory over Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia.
"This is the second time I have produced world championships gold medallists after I did it with England (mixed doubles Nathan Robertson-Gail Emms in 2006).
"However, it is extra special now because I led a men's pair to victory. I can proudly say that Aaron-Wooi Yik have emulated me by becoming world champions.
Rexy and Ricky won the world title at the 1995 Lausanne edition.
"We had many good pairs during my first stint here but still could not make it. Sometimes, I wondered what I did wrong.
Rexy was also quick to credit his assistant Tan Bin Shen for playing a pivotal role in Tokyo.
"Let's not forget Bin Shen's contribution. He now holds the distinction of being the first World Championships-winning Malaysian coach."