KUALA LUMPUR: It's not on the court but through karaoke sessions that Soh Wooi Yik keeps in touch with his best friend, Lee Zii Jia.
Though they are from different badminton camps, BAM's doubles star Wooi Yik and independent player Zii Jia stay in tune with each other through karaoking.
Wooi Yik revealed that their weekend singalong — during tournament breaks — helps them to relax and catch up with each other.
Wooi Yik and Zii Jia have been buddies since their junior days at BAM. Their friendship remains strong even after Zii Jia left the national team to turn pro in 2022.
Incidentally, the two chums also hit the high notes at the Paris Olympics in August — with both winning a bronze medal each.
Wooi Yik told the media about his favourite pastime after receiving a RM5,000 reward from Kuala Lumpur BA today for winning an Olympic bronze.
"Karaoke is the best way for me to relax my mind and many of those weekend sessions have been with my best friend, Zii Jia," said Wooi Yik.
"We have remained best friends for many years and we always make sure to catch up with each other, and karaoke has been a common interest. Zii Jia is a good singer too."
Wooi Yik and his doubles partner, Aaron Chia, hope to be on song for the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou on Dec 11-15. A karaoke session or two before the season-ending tournament should put then in the right mood.
Wooi Yik feels that the biggest threat will come from Taiwan's two-time Olympic champions Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin.
Although Lee Yang announced his retirement after the Paris Olympics, the Taiwanese pair have decided to play in the WTF for one last time.
"Although Lee Yang-Chi Lin have not played in any tournaments after the Olympics, they are so experienced and can play without any pressure. This makes them very dangerous," said Wooi Yik.
Zii Jia, who has also qualified for the WTF, may also have a karaoke session with Wooi Yik to de-stress before heading to Hangzhou.