KUALA LUMPUR: The one-year Olympic qualifying period for badminton officially concluded on Tuesday.
While the Badminton World Federation will only announce the confirmed list for the Paris Olympics on May 10 after sending out invites to member associations, it is safe to say that Malaysia will have a representative in each of the five disciplines.
The Malaysian players who will battle for medals in Paris are Lee Zii Jia (men's singles), Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men's doubles), Goh Jin Wei (women's singles), Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women's doubles), and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles).
Former international Rashid Sidek has singled out Aaron-Wooi Yik as Malaysia's best medal prospects at the Olympics.
"Aaron-Wooi Yik are our most consistent shuttlers. I believe they can win a medal in Paris," said Rashid.
"I also feel that Zii Jia is another medal prospect at the Olympics. Given his current form, he can achieve it. However, in his case, we have to wait and see how he performs at the Games.
"For the rest, I think it's going to be very tough, including our mixed doubles pair."
At the delayed Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, Malaysia secured a bronze medal through Aaron-Wooi Yik.
Malaysia's best haul was winning three silver medals through Lee Chong Wei (men's singles), Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (men's doubles), and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles).
RACE TO PARIS STANDINGS (April 30)
Men's singles
Lee Zii Jia (No.10)
Men's doubles
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (No. 5)
Women's singles
Goh Jin Wei (No. 32)
Women's doubles
Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah (No. 14)
Mixed doubles
Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (No. 9)