KUALA LUMPUR: The BA of Malaysia (BAM) are set to retain all of the country's top combinations across three events as they focus on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
BAM coaching director Rexy Mainaky has confirmed there are no plans to split up any of the existing partnerships — Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men's doubles), Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women's doubles), and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles).
While most top badminton nations typically adjust their national team structure in preparation for a new Olympic cycle, Rexy believes the three current pairings are already solid and require only fine-tuning.
Rexy's optimism is well-founded.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, partners for the last seven years, recently won their second consecutive Olympic bronze in Paris, adding to their historic 2022 world title.
Pearly-Thinaah, in their fifth year together, achieved a creditable fourth-place finish in Paris, becoming the first Malaysian duo to reach the women's Olympic semi-finals.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei, paired in late 2022, showed considerable potential with an impressive quarter-final debut in Paris, including a victory over world No. 2 Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping in the group stage.
"We have no intention of splitting our pairs," said Rexy.
"We have observed positive progress. Take Aaron and Wooi Yik, for example. While they may not have improved on the bronze they won in Tokyo, their desire to win gold is stronger than ever.
"That's why it's crucial to keep them together as partners.
"The same applies to Pearly-Thinaah, as well as Tang Jie-Ee Wei. They have gained valuable experience from the Paris Games and are highly motivated for LA 2028."
Rexy emphasised the importance of these players maintaining physical condition and avoiding injuries, noting that age will become a factor.
"Aaron-Wooi Yik, Pearly-Thinaah, as well as Tang Jie-Ee Wei will all still be at the right age to perform in Los Angeles. In fact, I believe they will be even stronger contenders by then," said Rexy.
"They just need to maintain strong self-discipline and take good care of themselves."