Malaysia’s badminton men’s doubles players Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik united the nation Saturday evening by delivering the country’s first bronze medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after a nail-biting match against Indonesia’s Hendra Setiawan and Mohamad Ahasan, who went down 17-21, 21-17, 21-14.

Though Chia and Soh met a shaky start by losing the first set, they turned around to win the second set 21-17 in only 17 minutes before sealing the deal 21-14 in a rubber set in 16 minutes.

Their teamwork elicited comments of being “sharp”, “precise” and “well-timed” from the commentators, and without a doubt was a winning formula for the duo who also recently took the silver medal at the All-England.

Here are 13 other moments the duo showed their partnership extends to outside the competition.

When they proudly commemorated their first Olympic Games appearance together.

When they also immortalised the moment right before they flew off.

When they couldn’t be happier to be ambassadors for 100 Plus together.

When even regular training moments are Insta-worthy to Aaron.

When they celebrated Independence Day together.

When they mastered the Coffee Cup Challenge together.

When they’re always hyping each other up pre-game.

When they first showed what they could do together at the All-England.

And before that, at the Hanoi Open.

They’ve been partners since 2017.

Tight doesn’t begin to describe their teamwork on and off the court.

In fact, the entire squad seems to be pretty tight and go way back.

Thank you for bringing Malaysia our fourth Olympic medal in the men’s doubles!

31 Jul 2021

13 powerful Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik moments of camaraderie from Instagram