KUALA LUMPUR: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik made a winning return as a permanent partnership, defeating defending champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi of Japan in the Denmark Open first round in Odense on Tuesday.

The world No. 4 Malaysians, playing together for the first time since their World Championships silver medal feat in August, battled for 51 minutes before prevailing 21-19, 14-21, 21-11 in a clash between two former world champion pairs.

The victory was a fitting start to their renewed partnership, which has been given the green light to continue until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics following a brief separation under national men's doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi's reshuffling exercise.

For Wooi Yik, reuniting with Aaron after a decade together carries special significance, particularly with their Olympic gold dream still unfulfilled.