KUALA LUMPUR — Will national men’s doubles partnership Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik reunite as a pair?

That remains one of the big questions following their creditable runners-up finish at the 2026 World Championships in New Delhi, India, after the Malaysians went down to China’s Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang in the final on Sunday.

The fourth seeds had to settle for second best placing following their 17-21, 16-21 loss to their third seeded opponents in 35-minutes during the prestigious tournament held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

National men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi said a decision on whether the former world champions will be reunited, would only be made towards the end of the year.

“We will have discussions in the future and by year end a decision will be made. So, for the time being they will experience with their partners and see how far the partnership goes,” he told Bernama.

Aaron-Wooi Yik were reunited at the world meet after last playing together at the Indonesia Open in June.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) made a strategic shake-up in the national men’s doubles department in the same month, pairing Aaron with rising men’s doubles player Aaron Tai, while Wooi Yik was partnered with Man Wei Chong.

According to BAM, the fresh combinations were part of its long-term plan to deliver Malaysia’s first Olympic Games gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Last month, BAM announced that Aaron is also scheduled to play with Wei Chong’s former partner, Tee Kai Wun while leaving out Wooi Yik from the squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, which will kick off Sept 19-Oct 4.

Commenting on Aaron-Wooi Yik’s performance in the final, Herry admitted that his charges were below their best against Wei Keng-Wang Chang.

The Indonesian said the two-time Olympic Games bronze medallist failed to reproduce the level they showed in their stunning semi-final victory over top seeds from South Korea Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae, 21-17, 21-18, on Saturday.