KUALA LUMPUR: Reigning world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik were named 2022 National Sportsman of the Year in Subang Jaya today, and the men's doubles pair hope the recognition will inspire them to achieve glory in major tournaments.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, who won the 2021 best team award, was picked ahead of weightlifters Aznil Bidin and Aniq Kasdan, bodybuilder Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah and world amateur snooker champion Lim Kok Leong.
It was the 18th time Malaysian badminton had won the national sportsman award, the last being Lee Chong Wei in 2012.
World No 4 Aaron-Wooi Yik smashed their way into the history books last year by winning Malaysia's first badminton world title in Tokyo.
The Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist defeated Indonesia's Mohd Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan in the final.
The 26-year-old Aaron said: "It is a big honour to win the national sportsman award.
"We must thank those who had supported us. Although we won today, this award is for everyone, including BA of Malaysia president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria, the coaches and other support staff," said Aaron today.
"This award will offer us the confidence to succeed. We will keep on fighting to make Malaysia proud."
Although Aaron-Wooi Yik were inconsistent, their world title deserves to be recognised as the country's best result last year.
The pair, who have yet to win a World Tour title, hope to do better in this week's Korea Open.
They were runners-up in their last outing at the Indonesian Open.
After Korea, Aaron-Wooi Yik will compete at the Japan Open (July 25-30) and the Australian Open (Aug 1-6) before defending their world title in Copenhagen, also in August.