Food poisoning hands Aaron-Wooi Yik walkover into World Championships quarter-finals

KUALA LUMPUR: Former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik advanced to the World Championships quarter-finals on Thursday after their opponent, Tee Kai Wun, was forced to withdraw due to food poisoning, resulting in a walkover. National men's doubles coaching director Herry Iman Pierngadi confirmed Kai Wun's inability to compete due to illness, stating that he experienced food poisoning, fever, and severe diarrhea, which prevented him from recovering in time.

The match, scheduled for the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, was ultimately called off, granting the Malaysian duo an automatic spot in the quarter-finals. The illness marked a disappointing end to Wei Chong-Kai Wun's campaign, following their impressive run to the third round. This development keeps Aaron-Wooi Yik's pursuit of another medal alive, as they have previously won the men's doubles title in 2022 and secured a bronze medal in 2023.

The Malaysian pair reached the quarter-finals in 2022, and now stand just one victory away from capturing their third World Championships medal. They will face the winners of the China-Hu Ke Yuan-Lin Xiang Yi and Denmark-Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard match in the semi-finals.