Soh Wooi Yik and his partner Aaron Chia achieved a historic milestone for Malaysia by securing the nation's first-ever gold medal at the 2022 World Championships. Since beginning his training at the Bukit Jalil Sports School, the Kuala Lumpur native has established himself as a prominent figure in professional badminton, earning multiple international accolades over a competitive career spanning more than a decade.
Early Development and Junior Years
Soh began playing badminton at age four and joined the Kuala Lumpur squad by age seven. Following his selection to the Bukit Jalil Sports School at thirteen, his development accelerated. In 2012, he was a runner-up in both singles and doubles at the Asian Youth Championships. By 2015, he began his long-term partnership with Aaron Chia, competing in the World Junior Championships and winning gold at the 2015 ASEAN School Games with partner Ooi Zi Heng.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Professional Ascent and Major Championships
After joining the national team, Soh and Chia steadily climbed the international rankings. The pair gained significant momentum in 2019 by reaching the final of the All England Open and securing gold at the SEA Games. Their consistency was rewarded in 2021 when they won a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics by defeating Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan.
World Title and Continued Success
The 2022 season marked a pinnacle for Soh, who won gold at the Asia Team Championships before securing the men's doubles title at the World Championships in August. He followed this with a mixed team gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. In 2023, he captured his first BWF World Tour title at the Denmark Open and later claimed a second Olympic bronze medal in 2024, becoming the first Malaysian men’s doubles pair to achieve consecutive Olympic podium finishes.
Fast facts
- Born: 1998, Kuala Lumpur
- Sport: Badminton
- 2022 World Championships: Gold medal
- 2020 Summer Olympics: Bronze medal
- 2024 Summer Olympics: Bronze medal
- 2019 SEA Games: Gold medal
- 2021 and 2022 Awards: Asia's Most Influential Malaysia
- 2025 Asian Championships: Gold medal
Questions readers ask
What is Soh Wooi Yik's greatest achievement?
He is the first Malaysian world badminton champion, having won the men's doubles title with Aaron Chia at the 2022 World Championships.
How many Olympic medals has he won?
Soh Wooi Yik has won two bronze medals, earning them at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics.
Achievements
- Olympic bronze medal
- world champion
- Competed at 2014 Malaysian Junior International Badminton Championships – men's doubles, badminton at the 2015 ASEAN School Games – men's doubles and badminton at the 2015 ASEAN School Games – mixed d
- Discipline: badminton
