KUALA LUMPUR: Britain's men's pair Ben Lane-Sean Vendy pose a big danger to Malaysia's Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in their mission to win gold at the Paris Olympics.
Aaron-Wooi Yik should know. The Malaysian duo lost to the British pair in their last encounter, at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, after winning four times earlier.
For the Paris Olympics, Aaron-Wooi Yik have been drawn in Group A with Lane-Vendy, China's world No. 1 Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang and Canadians Adam Dong-Nyl Yakura.
While the attention is surely on the clash between former world champions Aaron-Wooi Yik and Wei Keng-Wang Chang, the presence of Lane-Vendy should not be taken lightly.
Former national men's doubles player, Tan Boon Heong, said Lane-Vendy are a danger to Aaron-Wooi Yik in their bid to reach the quarter-finals.
"Even if Aaron-Wooi Yik lose to Wei Keng-Wang Change, they still have a chance to reach the quarters. That is why they need to focus on the clash against the British pair.
"Lane-Vendy have on many occasions shocked top pairs in the world, and Aaron-Wooi Yik need to be careful," said Boon Heong who competed in the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics with partner Koo Kien Kiat.
Only the two top pairs from each of the four groups will advance to the quarter-finals. That is why Aaron-Wooi Yik must beat Lane-Vendy and Dong-Yakura.
Boon Heong said the favourite tag does not give any guarantees to the big guns at the Olympics. "I was world No. 1 at Beijing 2008, but we lost. That status is only on paper but on game day, only the brave can perform at their best and emerge victorious."