KUALA LUMPUR — National men’s doubles shuttler Aaron Chia is hoping his scratch partnership with Tee Kai Wun can spring a surprise and at least deliver a medal for Malaysia at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan.

Aaron said they would not be weighed down by high expectations as a scratch pair, allowing them to take to the court with a more relaxed mindset at the biennial Games.

The 29-year-old believes their status as a scratch pair could also work to their advantage, with opponents expected to find it difficult to read their playing style as they are still unfamiliar with the Aaron-Kai Wun combination.

“I mean, we are going there as a scratch pair and underdogs. I think we can play more calmly and we are really hoping for a breakthrough there.

“What is important is that we give our best in every match, regardless of whether it is the team or individual event. We do have hopes, and we ourselves hope to bring home at least a medal for Team Malaysia,” he told reporters after a training session here today.

In July, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) announced that Aaron would partner Tee Kai Wun, while his regular partner Soh Wooi Yik was not selected for the 2026 Asian Games.

Aaron previously won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games with Wooi Yik.