Malaysian men's doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik have advanced to the final of the Badminton World Championships after defeating South Korea's Kim Won-ho and Seo Seungjae in the semifinals, according to The Star.
The win gives the Malaysian pair a second chance at a world title, The Star reports. They had previously reached the final but fell short in their bid for the championship.
The Star described the victory as a shock result, noting that Aaron-Wooi Yik overcame the high-riding Korean duo to secure their spot in the title match. The Koreans had been considered strong contenders heading into the semifinal encounter.
The result also guarantees Aaron-Wooi Yik at least a bronze medal, as reaching the semifinals assured them of a podium finish, according to TheStarTV.com.
In the final, the Malaysian pair will face a Chinese opponent, with NST Online referring to this matchup as a challenge against their "Chinese bogeymen." The Star's coverage indicates this is the last hurdle standing between Aaron-Wooi Yik and their goal of winning a world championship.
The pair's consistency has been a notable feature of their campaign, with TheStarTV.com describing them as reliable throughout the tournament.
The final will determine whether Aaron-Wooi Yik can convert their second appearance in a world title match into a championship victory.
