KUALA LUMPUR: With Malaysia now boasting so many quality men's doubles pairs, newly crowned world junior champions Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing say they need to work 10 times harder to be the best in the country.
Olympic bronze medallists Aaron Chia-Soh Woi Yik, who won the 2022 world title, are now at the front of the pecking order.
Eyeing to move forward are promising pairs Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri and Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King.
And outside the national set-up are the red-hot duo, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
Khai Xing said they have to quickly forget their World Junior triumph and start from zero in the seniors rank.
"We need to work 10 times harder to get to the level of the other men's doubles pairs."
Aaron said the World Junior title is a boost to their confidence and he hopes it can be a catalyst for more successes at senior level.
After winning the World Junior title in Nanchang on Sunday, the world No. 71 pair proceeded to the Malaysia Super 100 at Stadium Juara today where they beat Taiwan's world No. 37 duo, Chiang Chien Wei-Wei Chun Wei, 18-21, 21-17, 21-19.
Aaron-Khai Xing will play Wu Hsuan Yi-Ye Hong Wei in the second round after the Taiwanese defeated Thailand's Narut Saengkham-Apichasit Teerawiwat 21-17, 18-21, 21-16.
Meanwhile, in the men's singles, world No. 50 Justin Hoh defeated India's world No. 155 Y. Abhishek 22-20, 21-14 to advance to the second round where he will face either compatriot Tan Jia Jie or Thailand's Purirat Arree.