KUALA LUMPUR: Many Malaysian shuttlers have won world junior badminton titles, but not all have been successful in transitioning to the senior game.
Badminton legend Lee Wan Wah believes newly crowned world junior boys' doubles champions Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing have matured as a pair but stresses they must focus on becoming successful on the senior tour.
Wan Wah advised Aaron-Khai Xing to play in more senior tournaments, which will help them develop into world-beaters.
"I watched them play at the Thailand International Challenge, and compared to that tournament, they have matured significantly," Wan Wah told Timesport when met at Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara today.
"Now that they have won a world junior title, they must continue improving. They need to realise that junior and senior badminton are different.
"They have to play in as many tournaments as possible because some things cannot be learned in training."
He added that senior tournaments will provide Aaron-Khai Xing with the experience of playing against various pairs, helping them adjust their strategies accordingly.
For the record, Aaron-Khai Xing have already tasted success at the senior level, having won a title earlier this year at the Thailand International Challenge in March.
Their rise could also be attributed to sparring sessions with former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik ahead of the World Junior Championships.
"They must continue training with the senior shuttlers at the Academy Badminton Malaysia to keep progressing," added Wan Wah.
Wan Wah is currently in Kuala Lumpur with the Japanese shuttlers for the Malaysia Super 100, which starts tomorrow.
Aaron-Khai Xing ended Malaysia's 13-year wait for a boys' doubles title at the World Junior Championships by defeating China's Hu Ke Yuan-Lin Xiang Yi 21-18, 15-21, 21-18 in Nanchang, China, yesterday.