Singapore Badminton Scene

Discussion in 'Professional Players' started by Loh, Jul 2, 2012.

  1. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Badminton: ‘We’re like brothers’ – Singapore’s world No. 1 junior doubles duo eye more milestones

    Singapore’s Nge Joo Jie and Johann Prajogo have reached the summit of the men’s junior doubles. But their journey is only beginning, as they move to the senior circuit next year.
    [​IMG]
    Laura Chia
    UPDATED
    22 MINS AGO

    SINGAPORE – Johann Prajogo knows his badminton doubles partner Nge Joo Jie almost better than Nge knows himself.

    Prajogo can recite Nge’s mobile phone number, NRIC number, the precise name of his course at Republic Polytechnic – something Nge cannot – and jokes about his aversion to vegetables.

    Nge, meanwhile, talks about Prajogo’s dislike for gassy drinks and occasionally also finishes his fellow 18-year-old’s sentences.

    Such a close bond is unsurprising, though. The duo were roommates and teammates at the Singapore Sports School for three years and doubles partners since they were 15.

    Speaking to The Straits Times after a training session on Wednesday, Nge, a Year 2 student, said: “We’re very close, he’s like my brother from another mother. Growing up, we spent a lot of time together – 24 hours, five days a week in school – so we know a lot about each other.”

    Prajogo, a Year 2 business studies student in entrepreneurship management at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, added: “We know each other’s struggles. We performed well in sports but struggled in our studies. It was easier because we had each other, so we could manage training and studies to improve together.”

    Three years after debuting as a pair, Nge and Prajogo, 1.76m and 1.95m respectively, clinched their biggest achievement yet – becoming junior men’s doubles world No. 1s – before they move up to the senior circuit in 2023.

    In the latest Badminton World Federation rankings released on Tuesday, the Singaporeans climbed two spots to overtake Indonesia’s Muh Putra Erwiansyah and Patra Harapan Rindorindo.

    [​IMG]
    Singaporeans Johann Prajogo (left) and Nge Joo Jie, who are the junior men’s doubles badminton world No. 1s, after training at the OCBC Arena. ST PHOTO: FELINE LIM

    Prajogo had checked the list while having breakfast on Tuesday after he remembered their team manager had reminded them about it.

    Upon seeing their names, he took a screenshot and sent it to Nge, who was at training. The pair have since received an influx of congratulatory messages.

    This is only the second time Singapore has had a badminton world No. 1, after Yeo Jia Min became the top junior female player in June 2017.

    “Our achievement is not just ours, it’s a team effort and we have to thank our coaches and teammates, especially since we have the privilege of having good quality sparring with our seniors. That’s why we could improve much faster,” said Nge, who told his parents immediately after finding out.

    “Of course, we’re very happy to create history for Singapore. But we shouldn’t be complacent because we’re going to the senior circuit next year and there’s always going to be better players than us.”

    Agreeing, Prajogo added: “We don’t see (the ranking) as pressure. We see it as an achievement that shows each of us how far we’ve come. When we move up to the senior level, that ranking will be gone... so we’ll just focus on performing well, collecting points and winning competitions.”

    On the senior circuit, they are ranked 196th and know they have their work cut out for them.

    Prajogo said: “The biggest difficulty (when we move up) is definitely the age difference because older players tend to have different styles.

    “They’re also more calm because of the experience they have, so they would know how to adjust according to their opponents faster than us, so we definitely have to take our time and learn to do it like the top players.”

    Their partnership started when they were 15 in an international tournament in Thailand, where they exceeded expectations by upsetting the top seeds en route to finishing third.

    That gave them confidence and they learnt to read each other’s body language. The chemistry, evident throughout Wednesday’s session as they exchanged high fives after every single point in their practice matches and later occasionally finished each other’s sentences, came as a natural result of spending so much time together.

    Disagreements occur mainly because of on-court performance but they resolve it within five to 10 minutes of leaving the court.

    When asked about the secret ingredient to a great doubles pair, both replied at the same time: “Communication.”

    [​IMG]
    Johann Prajogo (background) and Nge Joo Jie in training, at OCBC Arena, on Dec 28, 2022. ST PHOTO: FELINE LIM

    Nge said: “Sometimes we’re a bit more sensitive, especially when our winning rate is not as high, but we’ve learnt from experience... If one person performs well and the other doesn’t, you can’t reach your true potential.”

    They hope to be selected for the 2023 SEA Games squad and are preparing for more senior tournaments.

    Talk of potentially becoming senior world No. 1s or world champions was dismissed as they preferred to focus on 2023. They have to enlist for national service in 2024.

    Prajogo said: “We don’t like to aim for very high, unrealistic goals. We would like to climb the ranks at the senior level and compete in higher level tournaments.

    “After NS, we’ll start training hard again. Two years is very long for any sport without consistently training, so we will have to start all over again and work hard to improve from there.”

    MORE ON THIS TOPIC
    Badminton: Singapore teens Nge and Prajogo attain world No. 1 ranking for junior men’s doubles
    Badminton: Singapore’s Jin Yujia and Crystal Wong win first international women’s doubles title
     
  2. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Badminton: S’pore players handed tough draws at season opener in Malaysia
    [​IMG]
    Singapore's leading shuttlers: (from left) mixed doubles pair Terry Hee and Tan Wei Han, former men's singles world champion Loh Kean Yew and women's singles player Yeo Jia Min have a challenging task at the Malaysian Open starting on Jan 10. PHOTO: SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS
    [​IMG]
    Kimberly Kwek
    UPDATED
    7 HOURS AGO

    SINGAPORE – The year-end feasting and festivities are over and Singapore’s badminton players will head into their 2023 opener at the Jan 10-15 Malaysian Open ready to build on their successes last season.

    But their first outing of the year in Kuala Lumpur will be a challenging one, with the players receiving tough draws in the Super 1000 tournament, which carries a prize purse of US$1.25 million (S$1.67 million).

    In the men’s singles, world No. 6 Loh Kean Yew will meet China’s Li Shifeng in the first round and could face Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn – who beat him twice in 2022 in the SEA Games singles final and last eight of the World Championships – in the quarter-finals.

    India’s 2022 Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen and Malaysian star Lee Zii Jia are also in the same half of the draw.

    But former world champion Loh is not worried, saying: “I’m focusing one match at a time. Hopefully, I’ll be able to perform well.”

    While he did not win any titles last season, he became the first Singaporean male player to rise to No. 3 in the world rankings and qualify for the prestigious Badminton World Federation World Tour Finals.

    With qualification for the 2024 Olympics starting in May, Loh, 25, also has his sights set on making it to the Paris Games.

    Loh said: “To get ranking points for seedings and eventually Olympic qualification, means that every tournament is important. It is yet another hectic year, and I will need to adapt and adjust to the badminton and sporting calendar.”

    Also facing tough opposition at the Malaysian Open is compatriot and world No. 34 Yeo Jia Min, who will meet Thailand’s SEA Games champion Pornpawee Chochuwong in the opening round of the women’s singles. If she progresses, she could next meet former world champions P.V. Sindhu (India) or Spain’s Carolina Marin.

    In the women’s doubles, Singaporean pair Crystal Wong and Jin Yujia will play Scotland’s Julie MacPherson and Ciara Torrance in the first round.

    Mixed doubles pair Terry Hee and Jessica Tan, who won a historic Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2022, open their campaign against Germany’s Jones Ralfy Jansen and Linda Efler.

    But the pair, who rose to a career-high 13th at the end of 2022, could find themselves up against Thai world champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai in the next round.

    Tan, 29, said: “We didn’t really set any particular goals, each win is a breakthrough and each loss is learning experience for us.

    “It’s always harder when you’re not a seeded pair, but the first match will be tough as well against the Germans.”

    After a year of milestones, the couple are aiming for more.

    Hee, 27, said: “We hope to continue with good performances, and hope to be more consistent. Quota for doubles (at the Olympics) is little as compared to singles, so we really need to work hard for it.”

    A total of 70 quota places – 35 for each gender – will be awarded for the singles events, while 48 pairs will qualify for the doubles (16 each for the men’s, women’s and mixed).

    Singapore Badminton Association technical director Martin Andrew said that the team have worked hard to improve during the pre-season. Noting that the next three months are crucial with Olympic qualification coming up, he said: “They are all fine and feeling positive. It’s the start of a series of tournaments, so it needs to be kept in perspective.

    “They have had a good training block where we’ve been able to get rid of some niggly injuries. So they are ready, albeit with not much actual match play in their preparations.”
     
  3. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Singapore's Loh Kean Yew eliminated in Malaysia Open badminton quarter-final
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    Singapore's Loh Kean Yew eyes a return against Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn during their men’s singles quarter-finals match at the Malaysia Open badminton tournament in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 13, 2023. (Photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan)

    13 Jan 2023 05:35PM(Updated: 13 Jan 2023 05:47PM)

    KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore's former world champion Loh Kean Yew was stunned by world number nine Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the Malaysia Open badminton championship on Friday (Jan 13), with the Thai attributing his victory to playing without any pressure.

    Playing against the more experienced and higher-ranked world number six Singaporean, Vitidsarn, 21, showed composure to win 21-11, 20-22 and 21-14 in an 80-minute quarter-final match.

    “Kean Yew played very well today, so fast and good at attacking, but I also did play equally well," said Vitidsarn, a three-time former world junior champion.

    “I don’t have pressure when meeting top players, so I can control my game. That is the reason I could defeat him."

    The win helped Vitidsarn extend his winning record against Loh to 3-1, with his only loss their first encounter at the 2015 Thailand International Challenge.

    It was also Vitidsarn who defeated Loh in the quarter-finals of last year's World Championships, taking away the Singaporean's chance to defend a title he won against the odds in 2021.

    In Saturday's semi-finals, Vitidsarn will play the winner of the match between Kodai Naraoka of Japan and HS Prannoy of India.
     
  4. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Badminton: Loh Kean Yew falls to Thai Kunlavut Vitidsarn in Malaysia Open quarters
    [​IMG]
    Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew now trails Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn 4-1 in their head to head encounters. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
    [​IMG]
    Laura Chia
    UPDATED

    JAN 14, 2023, 1:02

    SINGAPORE – Loh Kean Yew suffered a fourth straight defeat by Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn on Friday, bowing out of the Malaysia Open 21-11, 20-22, 21-14 in a gruelling 80-minute quarter-final.

    Despite the loss, Loh, 25, said: “Overall, it’s not a bad start (to the year). I managed to perform up to my level and I was hoping for more, but there can be only one winner.

    “I gave my all and now I’ll just prepare for the next one. I overcame some of my own expectations and barriers, which I’m quite happy about.

    “It was a difficult match, but a very good game overall for us. We fought very hard, tried to keep getting points from each other, and we both gave our all.

    “There’s a lot (for me) to improve, but for now I’ll rest first, then prepare for the India Open next week and take it match by match.”

    Kunlavut, 21, skilfully used his defensive abilities and precision to race to an 11-6 lead at the Axiata Arena, while Loh’s attempts to attack went wide or into the net, allowing the Thai world No. 9 to take the first game.

    It was a similar story on the restart as the SEA Games champion quickly conjured a 7-0 lead, aided by his patience and comprehensive court coverage.

    But world No. 6 Loh slowly chipped away at that gap, turning up the aggression and using his signature powerful smashes and wide range of shots to frazzle Kunlavut, who appeared to have no answer for once.

    Loh took the lead for the first time in the match at 15-14 with a down-the-line smash.

    The lead then changed hands before Loh took the second game 22-20 after a number of intense rallies.

    Both players brought their A game to the decider, with the difference in points never beyond two until Kunlavut’s cross-court drop shot gave him an 11-8 lead at the interval.

    A few mistakes from Loh allowed his opponent to widen the gap. The toll on both players was evident as they collapsed on the floor for a brief respite at 19-13, after Loh’s cross-court smash went wide.

    The Thai two-time world junior champion’s patience eventually wore Loh down, with the Singaporean sending a shot wide at the baseline at match point as Kunlavut celebrated with a relieved smile.

    The pair exchanged a hug at the net later.

    Loh, who coincidentally beat Chinese great Lin Dan in the Thailand Masters exactly four years ago on Friday, said of his opponent: “Every time I play him is super challenging.

    “He has grown a lot from when I first played him in 2015 and I’m happy to see him grow even more.

    “He’s a strong fighter and he’s very skilful, so it’s not easy to play him. His defence is very good, so I need to think of ways to beat him.”

    The Thai, who had also defeated Loh in the SEA Games final last May and in the quarter-finals of the world championships in August, now leads their head-to-head tally 4-1.

    He will face Japanese world No. 7 Kodai Naraoka on Saturday for a spot in the final.

    Singapore’s participation in Kuala Lumpur came to an end after women’s doubles pair Crystal Wong and Jin Yujia also lost in the quarter-finals.

    The world No. 29s were comfortably beaten by South Korea’s world No. 20 pair Baek Ha-na and Lee Yu-lim 21-10, 21-6 in 41 minutes.

    Wong, 23, was proud that they reached their first Super 100 quarter-final, but was not satisfied with Friday’s result.

    She added: “We want to go as far as possible in every competition so that our ranking will rise and we hope to gain a lot of experience by playing in Asia and Europe.”

    Jin, 25, added: “We can definitely see our progress with this result and reaching the quarter-finals shows that our training has been effective. This is a boost for our confidence as it shows we can give top-class players a fight.”

    MORE ON THIS TOPIC
    Badminton: S’pore players handed tough draws at season opener in Malaysia
    Badminton: Lee Zii Jia crashes out of Malaysia Open after shock first-round defeat
     
  5. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Badminton: Axelsen, Yamaguchi emerge triumphant in Malaysia
    [​IMG]
    Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen retained his Malaysia Open title with a straight-set win over Japan's Kodai Naraoka. PHOTO: AFP
    UPDATED

    JAN 15, 2023, 11:47 PM SGT

    KUALA LUMPUR – World No. 1s Viktor Axelsen and Akane Yamaguchi, the 2022 World Tour Finals singles champions, picked up from where they left off by winning the Malaysia Open at the Axiata Arena on Sunday.

    Yamaguchi came from behind to beat South Korea’s fourth-ranked An Se-young 12-21, 21-19, 21-11 in the women’s singles final, while Axelsen defeated Japan’s rising star Kodai Naraoka 21-6, 21-15 to retain his men’s singles title.

    Axelsen, who pocketed US$87,500 (S$115,000) for clinching the season opener, reeled off nine points in a row in the first game. He then fended off Naraoka’s fightback in the second game to win in 40 minutes.

    “For me, it is a good thing to go in and try to play high pace consistently. Don’t give him any chance, and show him that if he wants to win, he needs to work really hard,” said the 29-year-old Dane, who won eight titles in 2022.

    “Congratulations to Kodai for having a fantastic week, he is an upcoming player, we will see much more from him.”

    In the 2022 final, Axelsen also beat another Japanese player, former world No. 1 Kento Momota, who pulled out of this tournament with the flu.

    World No. 7 Naraoka, who had also lost to Axelsen in semi-finals of the top-tier World Tour Finals in December, was playing in his first Super 1000 tournament, the second-highest tier in Badminton World Federation World Tour events.

    The 21-year-old, who had stretched Axelsen to three games with his speed a month ago, tried to overcome the Danish giant with a similar strategy.

    But he looked drained after an exhausting campaign which saw him rack up over six hours of play in four previous matches.

    He had beaten two home favourites, world No. 2 Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong, India’s H.S. Prannoy and Thailand’s ninth-ranked Kunlavut Vitidsarn en route to the final.

    “This week I played many long matches and was really tired. Axelsen’s smashes were really powerful and I wasn’t able to cope,” said Naraoka, who received US$42,500 for finishing as runner-up.

    In the mixed doubles final, China’s world champions Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong also started 2023 the way they ended 2022 – with a title.

    The top-ranked duo, who had also won December’s World Tour Finals, defeated Japan’s fourth-ranked Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino 21-19, 21-11 for their fourth successive Malaysia Open crown.

    The Chinese pair, who won 10 titles in 2022, are on a 20-match winning run.

    They last lost to Watanabe and Higashino, who prevailed in the Japan Open semi-finals last September, but they were unable to repeat that success in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

    China also triumphed in the women’s doubles final, with world No. 1s Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan beating South Korea’s Baek Ha-na and Lee Yu-lim 21-16, 21-10.

    Indonesia claimed the men’s doubles crown after top-ranked duo Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto defeated China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang 21-18, 18-21, 21-13. AFP
     
  6. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Badminton: Loh Kean Yew upsets Japanese starlet Kodai Naraoka at India Open
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    Singapore's world No. 7 Loh Kean Yew beat Japanese world No. 6 Kodai Naraoka 18-21, 21-9, 21-7 at the India Open on Wednesday. PHOTO: BADMINTONPHOTO
    [​IMG]
    Kimberly Kwek
    UPDATED

    JAN 19, 2023, 1:05 AM SGT

    Loh Kean Yew kicked off his India Open campaign on Wednesday with a convincing 18-21, 21-9, 21-7 victory over Japan’s Kodai Naraoka.

    The Japanese starlet, who has risen from world No. 48 to world No. 6 in a year, initially dominated the round-of-32 encounter at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall in New Delhi as he led seventh-ranked Loh 12-5.

    While Loh clawed back to draw level at 17-17, Naraoka, who was runner-up at last week’s Malaysia Open, held on to take the first game 21-18.

    The Japanese claimed the first two points of the second game but could not find an answer to Loh’s powerful smashes as the Singaporean seized control to win 21-9.

    Growing in confidence, Loh raced to an 8-0 lead in the third game before closing the match out in 56 minutes.

    Loh, 25, said: “The wind condition and shuttle are different from when we practised in the test court. It took me a while but eventually I managed to adapt to the conditions.”

    His victory over Naraoka on Wednesday takes their head-to-head tally to 2-0 – the Singaporean won their previous encounter at the 2019 Russian Open.

    Loh will face Denmark’s Hans-Kristian Vittinghus next.

    If he beats the Danish world No. 34, he could find himself up against a familiar foe in Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the quarter-finals.

    Kunlavut has been a huge stumbling block for Loh, with the Thai winning their last four encounters, most recently in the Malaysia Open quarter-finals.

    On Vittinghus, Loh said: “I’m going to just prepare myself to the fullest.

    “Hopefully, I’ll be able to perform well.”

    Meanwhile, Singapore’s mixed doubles pair Terry Hee and Jessica Tan were knocked out after losing 23-21, 21-17 in a closely contested match with Japan’s world No. 3 Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino, who are two-time silver medallists at the world championships.

    It was a case of deja vu for Yeo Jia Min in the women’s singles as she made her second first-round exit in as many tournaments after losing to the same opponent, Thai SEA Games champion Pornpawee Chochuwong, 21-15, 21-8 in 37 minutes.

    Singapore’s women’s doubles pair Crystal Wong and Jin Yujia also did not advance to the round of 16 after they lost 21-16, 17-21, 14-21 to sisters Benyapa and Nuntakarn Aimsaard of Thailand.
     
  7. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Vitidsarn stuns Axelsen to clinch India Open badminton title
    Vitidsarn stuns Axelsen to clinch India Open badminton title (yahoo.com)

    Sun, 22 January 2023 at 8:36 pm SGT·2-min read
    [​IMG]

    Thailand's rising star Kunlavut Vitidsarn stunned top seed Viktor Axelsen to clinch the India Open badminton title with a 22-20, 10-21, 21-12 victory in the Sunday final.

    In the women's singles, South Korea's An Se-young beat world number one Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in New Delhi to avenge her loss at the Malaysia Open final last week.

    Vitidsarn's men's singles victory stood out as the 21-year-old former junior world champion got past the Danish ace and world number one for the first time in six attempts.

    Vitidsarn, seeded eighth, proved his semi-final victory over Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia was not a flash in the pan as he made Axelsen work for every point and won most of the long rallies.

    "From my earlier losses against Viktor, I had learnt that if I could engage him in long rallies and take the match to the decider then I have a chance to win," said Vitidsarn, who lost the World Championships final to Axelsen last year.

    "The plan was adapting as we played along. I played without much pressure but the main plan was to attack. I gave it whatever I had."

    Axelsen, who won the Malaysia open title, bounced back after a close opening game but Vitidsarn kept his calm to win his first major Super Series crown since he won the German Open (Super 300) last year.

    The 29-year-old Axelsen urged sports officials to keep players' health in mind when scheduling back-to-back tournaments in different time zones.

    An bounced back from a game down to beat Yamaguchi 15-21, 21-16, 21-12 in a 62-minute battle of the Super 750 event.

    Yamaguchi, who was the top seed and had beaten An in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday, conceded she made too many errors.

    "In the first game I controlled the rallies and so did my opponent, but from the second game An increased her movement speed," Yamaguchi told reporters through an interpreter.

    Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino won the mixed doubles title, while Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida won the women's doubles crown.

    fk/mca
     
  8. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Badminton: Singapore to face powerhouses in Asia Mixed Team Championship
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    Loh Kean Yew will lead Singapore's charge at the Feb 14-19 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship held in Dubai. PHOTO: AFP
    [​IMG]
    David Lee
    Sports Correspondent
    UPDATED

    FEB 1, 2023, 10:18 PM SGT

    SINGAPORE – The Republic have been handed an “unkind” draw for the Feb 14-19 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship in Dubai.

    On Wednesday, Singapore, seeded ninth, were drawn alongside defending champions China, South Korea and Uzbekistan in Group A.

    They will be represented by Loh Kean Yew, Jason Teh, Terry Hee, Loh Kean Hean, Andy Kwek, Yeo Jia Min, Insyirah Khan, Crystal Wong, Jin Yujia and Jessica Tan.

    Singapore Badminton Association technical director Martin Andrew said: “The draw hasn’t been really kind to us. Our seeding means we are always going to have two higher-ranked teams in our group. Uzbekistan are a developing team we don’t know much about.

    “We will be wary of them but expect to be okay... but it’s a pity that we got China and South Korea as other teams might have been better match-ups for us.

    “To progress to the quarter-finals, we have to beat one of China and South Korea. China are Sudirman Cup hosts, and don’t have to send their strongest team for this tournament which also serves as a qualifier. Regardless, we will do our best to progress from our group.”

    Singapore’s top player, men’s singles world No. 8 Loh Kean Yew added: “It’s not an easy draw, but I’m sure everyone in the team will give their best for all the matches. when called upon.

    “We look forward to mixed team championships like these, as they are also good opportunities for the national team to bond and gain experience.”

    This is the third edition of the tournament since its inception in 2017, when Japan were victorious in Vietnam.

    China won the 2019 edition in Hong Kong, where Singapore reached the last eight for its best finish. The 2021 edition – originally scheduled to be held in China – was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    In the other groups, hosts United Arab Emirates are in Group B alongside Malaysia, India, and Kazakhstan. Group C comprises Indonesia, Thailand, Bahrain, Syria and Lebanon while Group D features Japan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Pakistan.

    India’s women’s singles world No. 9 P. V. Sindhu was more pleased with the draw, saying: “We have been handed a favourable draw. I hope we can put up a strong show at the event.

    “We have some of the best men’s singles players in H.S. Prannoy and Lakshya Sen and doubles teams as well. We are confident of a good show.”

    UAE Badminton Federation president Noura Aljasmi added: “It’s very exciting for our young team to be part of this prestigious championship. We have got a decent draw, and this will be a good opportunity for our players to learn from the best... The players will also be excited to play on their home turf.”

    Meanwhile, in the Thailand Masters, Singapore’s world No. 19 mixed doubles pair Hee and Tan suffered a first-round upset when they lost 21-12, 18-21, 21-19 to Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Hsiang-chieh and Lin Xiao-min.

    In the women’s singles, world No. 79 Insyirah was also beaten 21-10, 14-21, 21-15 by Thailand’s 25th-ranked Supanida Katethong.
     
  9. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Formidable China seal second straight Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships title
    Badminton 22:31, 19-Feb-2023

    Amazing China seal second straight Asia Mixed Team Championships title - CGTN
    Updated 11:32, 20-Feb-2023
    CGTN

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    Team China celebrate after winning the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships title in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 19, 2023. /Badminton Asia

    There will be much sterner tests in future tournaments, but there is no doubt that Chinese shuttlers are currently operating at another level.

    Despite fielding a second-string team and sitting out some of their leading lights, China still proved too strong in the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship in the United Arab Emirates as they swatted aside South Korea 3-1 in the final to win their second straight title.

    Lei Lanxi got the ball rolling at the Dubai Exhibition Center by seeing off Lee Yun-gyu 21-16, 21-15 in the men's singles tie.

    [​IMG]

    China's Lei Lanxi in action during the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships final in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 19, 2023. /Badminton Asia

    The 25-year-old Guangdong player, who stunned India's world number nine HS Prannoy in a thrilling semifinal showdown, once again displayed a maturity that belies his age against more established opponents and set the tone for the final.

    Another young talent Gao Fangjie, who underlines the enviable depth China have bought to the showpiece event by shocking two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu in the previous round, sustained the momentum with a 21-15, 21-15 win over Kim Ga-eun in the women's singles clash.

    Trailing 2-0 in a largely one-sided affair, South Korea performed far better in the men's doubles tie as Kim Won-ho, and Na Sung-seung beat He Jiting and Zhou Haodong 19-21, 21-16, 21-17 in an entertaining encounter.

    [​IMG]

    China's Gao Fangjie serves during the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships final in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 19, 2023. /Badminton Asia

    However, China resisted South Korea's late rally and showed no mercy in the women's doubles clash as Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning comfortably outclassed Jong Na-eun and Lee So-hee 21-11, 21-10 to help China retain the title that they won in 2019 in Hong Kong where they beat Japan in the final.

    As the curtain draws on another installment of the Asia Mixed Team Championship, which also serves as the continental qualifier for the Sudirman Cup Finals. All eyes will be on Suzhou in May when Sudirman hosts China are expected to field their strongest team at home.

    Judging by their understudies' impressive display over the past few days, China will face a major selection headache.
     
  10. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Weekly Round-up: Sports happenings in Singapore (13-19 Feb) (yahoo.com)

    Shuttlers register 1 win, 2 losses at Badminton Asia Mixed Team C'ships

    Singapore's national badminton team registered one win and two losses in the opening group of the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships in Dubai over the past week.

    Drawn into Group A in the opening stage, the shuttlers lost 0-5 to both China and South Korea, before defeating Uzbekistan 5-0 to finish third in the group.

    Only the top two teams in each group advanced into the quarter-finals.
     
  11. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Badminton: World’s best players to play in Singapore Open in race to Paris 2024
    [​IMG]
    Loh Kean Yew in action at the Singapore Open 2022, on July 14, 2022. PHOTO: COURTESY OF DAVID TAN
    [​IMG]
    David Lee
    Sports Correspondent
    UPDATED
    MAR 10, 2023, 12:48 AM SGT

    SINGAPORE – The national badminton players’ road to the Paris Olympics in 2024 kicks off at the Malaysia Masters from May, and fans will be able to catch them in action at home a month later, when the US$850,000 (S$1.15 million) Singapore Badminton Open returns to the Singapore Indoor Stadium from June 6 to 11.

    The “Paris Ranking Lists” – which is separate from the world rankings – will be used to award quota places in the five events at the Olympics, and each list will be based on results achieved from May 1, 2023 to April 28, 2024.

    The Singapore Open will be the third event within this window, following the May 23-28 Malaysia Masters and May 30-June 4 Thailand Open, both of which are Super 500 events.

    These are on the third tier in terms of ranking points offered, behind the World Tour Finals – which offers the same points as the Super 1000 – and Super 750.

    In 2022, the Badminton World Federation announced that the Singapore Open would be upgraded to a Super 750 event for the next four years. As a result, all the top 15 singles players and top 10 doubles pairs are required to compete. And this year, players will have added incentive with Olympic qualification points at stake.

    Men’s singles world No. 8 Loh Kean Yew recovered from a group-stage exit at the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021 to become world champion months later. He is determined to make it to Paris in a bid for Singapore’s first Olympic badminton medal.

    The 25-year-old, who is currently competing at the German Open, said: “One of my biggest focus areas for the 2023 season is to do well during the Olympic qualifying period, as representing Singapore in the Olympics will always be a great honour.”

    At the 2022 Singapore Open, Loh reached the semi-finals before losing to Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting. Looking to improve on that result, he added: “This is always an event I look forward to because it’s a very nice feeling when I can hear and feel the support from the home crowd, and I hope to do well this year.”

    Ticket sales start from Friday via ticketmaster.sg and early bird (until March 31) season tickets are priced from S$100 to S$350
     
  12. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Badminton: Malaysia’s Ng Tze Yong stuns Olympic champ Viktor Axelsen at the All England Open
    1 of 2
    [​IMG]
    Malaysia's Ng Tze Yong celebrating his stunning win over Denmark's Viktor Axelsen on Thursday. PHOTO: REUTERS
    UPDATED
    MAR 17, 2023, 11:05 PM SGT

    LONDON – Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen was one of three defending champions to crash out on a day of shocks at the All England Open on Thursday.

    The Olympic and world champion suffered a stunning 21-18, 9-21, 23-21 loss to Malaysia’s Ng Tze Yong in the men’s singles’ second round, and admitted that his opponent deserved to win.

    “It’s one of the most special tournaments to me,” Axelsen said after the defeat. “It’s one of the biggest on the circuit so I want to do well. And when you fail, it’s tough.”

    The 29-year-old Dane rallied from 15-19 down in the rubber to earn two match-points, but Ng saved them and went on to claim victory.

    “It wasn’t to be today. I didn’t feel well,” added the world No. 1. “I had two match points, should have used some experience to win one of those, but that’s how it is.

    “He played well and I made too many mistakes. He deserved to win.”

    While the 28th-ranked Ng is thrilled with the upset, he is keeping his feet on the ground.

    “This is the biggest win of my career,” said the 22-year-old, who set up a quarter-final clash with China’s 14th-ranked Li Shifeng. “I didn’t think too much before the match.

    “I just wanted to go all out. I just tried to calm down when he had those two match points.”

    Axelsen’s loss came after compatriot Anders Antonsen beat 2022 runner-up Lakshya Sen in straight games, meaning neither of 2022’s finalists reached the last eight.

    The Dane’s exit was part of a sequence of unexpected departures for the big guns.

    Japanese duo Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida, the defending women’s doubles champions, lost 18-21, 21-19, 21-9 to South Koreans Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee.

    Their fellow countrymen also struggled.

    Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino, chasing their third successive title in Birmingham in the mixed doubles, were up against South Koreans Kim Won-ho and Jeong Na-eun. But, trailing 23-21, 13-7, they were forced to retire when Watanabe suffered an injury.

    In the women’s singles, second-seeded South Korean An Se-young beat Chinese Taipei’s Pai Yu-po 21-3, 21-7 in the round of 16.

    She received a walkover in the quarter-finals after her opponent, 2015 champion Carolina Marin of Spain, withdrew due to illness.

    Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, the world No. 4, prevailed over Japan’s sixth-ranked Kodai Naraoka 21-9, 10-21, 21-13.

    Lee will meet China’s world No. 12 Shi Yuqi in the semi-finals. AFP

    MORE ON THIS TOPIC
    Badminton: Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew falls at first hurdle of All England Open
    Badminton: World’s best players to play in Singapore Open in race to Paris 2024
     
  13. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Badminton: Yeo Jia Min ends slump with Polish Open victory; Jin Yujia, Crystal Wong win women’s doubles
    [​IMG]
    Singapore's Yeo Jia Min wins her fourth international title after beating Turkey's Neslihan Yigit in the Polish Open women's singles final on March 26. PHOTO: POLSKI ZWIAZEK BADMINTONA/FACEBOOK
    [​IMG]
    David Lee
    Sports Correspondent
    UPDATED
    MAR 27, 2023, 9:56 PM SGT

    SINGAPORE – After achieving her breakthrough year in 2021 when she became the first Singaporean to qualify for the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Finals, the Republic’s top female badminton player Yeo Jia Min had a rough end to 2022 and start to 2023 when she won just one of 11 matches.

    As the 24-year-old’s ranking slipped from a career-high 16th to 35th, the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) decided to field her in the lower-tier Polish Open, an International Challenge (IC) event that is one grade below the BWF World Tour structure.

    This worked a treat as Yeo ended her slump on Sunday, when she beat Turkey’s world No. 65 Neslihan Yigit 21-13, 21-11 in the women’s singles final for her fourth international title, which came with US$1,200 (S$1,600) prize money.

    On her Instagram page, she described it as a “healing week” in which she found her groove to beat Slovakia’s Martina Repiska (95th), Turkey’s Ozge Bayrak (208th), Hungary’s Vivien Sandorhazi (87th), Frenchwoman Rosy Oktavia Pancasari (157th) and Yigit in straight games. This will give her a boost going into the Spain Masters that starts on Tuesday.

    She said: “It’s been hard on me mentally because I have not been winning matches recently and I was not sure how to deal with it.

    “Going into this week, I focused on overcoming these feelings with faith every day. It helped me to get into a better mindset to compete. I hope this win will help bring out my best and give me more confidence leading up to the Olympic qualifying period (May 1, 2023 to April 28, 2024).”

    SBA technical director Martin Andrew praised Yeo for her work ethic despite her recent struggles.

    He said: “Over the last 12 months, she has had some difficult draws against some of the top players and also did not take a few opportunities when they arose. But she never stopped working hard, as we worked towards getting an understanding of how to use her weapons while playing with a style that suits her.”

    Andrew explained that they decided to send her to the Polish Open to get some competitive wins in a tournament that is regularly one of the strongest IC tournaments in Europe, and to gather more ranking points than she may have got at the higher-tier Swiss Open (Super 300 event) if she had lost in the early rounds.

    “She still had to reach the final, and she performed well to do that, which is really encouraging for her, and her task now is to keep taking it forward,” he added.

    Compatriots Jin Yujia and Crystal Wong were also victorious in the women’s doubles final as the world No. 23 pair beat Canada’s 34th ranked Catherine Choi and Josephine Wu 21-17, 17-21, 21-15 for their second title and a US$1,350 cheque.

    [​IMG]
    Jin Yujia (left) and Crystal Wong win their second international title together after beating Canada in the Polish Open women’s doubles final. PHOTO: POLSKI ZWIAZEK BADMINTONA/FACEBOOK
    In the process, they overcame England’s Estelle van Leeuwen and Hope Warner (247th), unranked Taiwanese Hsu Yin-hui and Lee Chih-chen, Denmark’s Iben Bergstein and Ann-Sofie Husher Ruus (266th), and had a semi-final walkover against Sweden’s Moa and Tilde Sjoo (64th).

    Jin, 26, said: “We stayed calm and confident, stuck with our strategy, and trusted each other in every game.”

    Wong, 23, added: “This title definitely gives us more confidence in ourselves, knowing where we stand in the international circuit.”

    In addition, Andy Kwek and Loh Kean Hean (130th) reached the men’s doubles semi-final, where they lost to Taiwanese Chang Ko-chi and Po Li-wei (39th), Jason Teh (71st) was beaten by Finland’s Kalle Koljonen (77th) in the men’s singles round of 16, while Kwek and Wong (94th) lost to unranked Taiwanese Chen Xin-yuan and Hsu in the opening round of the mixed doubles.
     
  14. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    PV Sindhu saves seven game points, enters first final since CWG 2022
    PV Sindhu saves seven game points, enters first final since CWG 2022 - Hindustan Times

    By Sandip Sikdar
    Apr 01, 2023 10:52 PM IST
    The former world champion grits out a hard-fought straight games win against Singapore’s Yeo Jia Min

    Having never won a game, let alone a match, against PV Sindhu in her three previous meetings, Singapore’s Yeo Jia Min appeared pretty confident and relaxed while leading 20-15 in the first game.

    [​IMG]
    Indian badminton player PV Sindhu(PTI
    The five game points became seven, making it the best opportunity for the 24-year-old to beat Sindhu but the second seeded Indian fought back in remarkable fashion to save all and snatch the first game 24-22. Riding the momentum, Sindhu also won the second game 22-20 to enter the women’s singles summit clash of the $210,000 Spain Masters in Madrid – her first final of the year.

    Even though the second seeded Indian is far from her best, reaching the final day of competition at the Super 300 tournament will boost her confidence especially after suffering the worst start to a season, exiting her first three tournaments of the year — Malaysia Open, India Open and All England Open — in the first round. She also went down in Round 2 of Swiss Open last week where she was the defending champion.

    The former world champion is slowly beginning to find her groove as she made her first final since winning the Commonwealth Games gold in August last year. This is also her first final on the BWF World Tour after winning the Singapore Open in July 2022.

    The double Olympic medallist suffered a stress fracture on her left foot after winning gold in Birmingham which put her out of action for five months before making a comeback this January. A five-time World Championship medallist, Sindhu also split with long time coach Park Tae-sang earlier this year and has now dropped out of the top 10 in world rankings for the first time since November 2016.

    Even Sunday wasn’t looking great on court for Sindhu, who trailed her world No 33 opponent 15-20 in the opening game of the semi-final. The last Indian alive in the tournament, Sindhu made errors at the net, her drops didn’t work and her smash was also getting retrieved regularly at the start until when she found spring in her step to turn the contest around.

    The world No 11 Indian used her backhand well to push the shuttle to the back of the court, allowing herself breathing time and reaching the net more often, having nothing to lose. Yeo, who looked sharper at the beginning, wasted many chances to beat Sindhu for the first time.

    Sindhu took the momentum into the second game and raced away to lead 11-6 at the mid-game break. But this time Yeo, who herself has had a very poor year with four first-round exits, fought back to level the contest at 14-all and remained at Sindhu’s heels till the end.

    Yeo, who won bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, even saved two match points, one being a bit controversial as the point was ruled in her favour despite the shuttle landing out. Sindhu had run out of reviews by then. She remained calm and used her skills well to enter the final by converting her third match point, letting out a shriek to indicate her victory.

    In the final, the second-seeded Indian will face Indonesian fifth seed Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, who beat top seed, local favourite, and three-time world champion Carolina Marin 10-21, 21-15, 21-10.

    • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
      [​IMG]
      Sandip Sikdar

      From badminton to cricket, Sandip Sikdar writes on many sporting disciplines. He has the experience of working in digital, news agency as well as print organisations. Motorsport remains his first love.
     
  15. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    ST Athlete of the Year nominee: Jessica Tan and Terry Hee’s letter to their younger selves

    The Straits Times celebrates outstanding Singaporeans selected for the 2022 ST Athlete of the Year award, backed by 100Plus. We asked our nominees to write a letter to themselves, why they chose this path paved with personal sacrifices but also one of hope and possibilities. This is badminton players Jessica Tan and Terry Hee’s message.
    [​IMG]
    Singaporean badminton mixed doubles pair Terry Hee (left) and Jessica Tan won a historic gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
    UPDATED
    APR 2, 2023, 5:25 PM SGT

    Dear Jessica and Terry,
    It’s 2014. You’ve been dating for three years and you’re about to take your relationship to the next level – this is the year you both finally become partners on court too.

    Ultimately it will be successful, but it’s not going to be an easy journey. It starts off well and you’ll win your first tournament – the Singapore International.

    But eventually, the honeymoon phase ends, the excitement wanes and reality sets in. Sport can sometimes be cruel and your resolve will be tested time and time again.

    National service and injuries will put your partnership on hold for a few years, but don’t let that affect you. You’ll have to go through some lows before things start to pick up again. Always stay focused, committed and persevere. Never give up. Keep your sights on your Olympic dreams.

    Your mixed doubles partnership resumes in 2021, the same year you two get married; just remember, it’s hard to separate the personal and professional aspects of your lives.

    There will be bad days in training, fights and disagreements, but at the end of the day, you’ll still have to go home with each other.

    Even now in 2023, it’s something you’re still learning to deal with but this journey you’re on, few couples will experience, and that’s what makes it special.

    Travelling overseas for competitions may seem like a fun way to spend time together to outsiders, but you know these are business trips. There’s no stopping – it’s one after another with barely any time to rest. You’re lucky if you manage to have a nice dinner together in Basel or Madrid.

    You’ll miss so many important occasions – Chinese New Year, parents’ birthdays, and you still haven’t gone on your honeymoon. On those rare days off, both of you will be too exhausted to go on dates. Don’t feel bad, these are the sacrifices you two are willing to make.

    Jessica, that boy you saw as a cheeky troublemaker in secondary school becomes the thoughtful husband who does most of the laundry even when he’s dead tired. (You do help with the folding!)

    MORE ON THIS TOPIC
    ST Athlete of the Year nominee: Farhanna Farid’s letter to her younger self
    ST Athlete of the Year nominee: Maximilian Maeder’s letter to his future self

    Terry, shuttling back and forth from Woodlands to Tampines to take Jessica home during your days at the Singapore Sports School will be worth it. She really appreciates these gestures and that’s how you’ll win her heart.

    Both of you will always have the other’s best interests at heart. Neither of you will get much sleep before the semi-finals and final in the Commonwealth Games – it’s the biggest tournament of your lives – but you try to hide these nerves from each other.

    In the end, you both respond superbly and win both matches, claiming a historic gold medal for Singapore.

    [​IMG]
    Terry Hee and Jessica Tan celebrate after clinching gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
    You two will cry tears of joy and pride, especially as Majulah Singapura is played when you’re standing on the podium. The year 2022 is going to be awesome as you will also win the India Open Super 500 and Orleans Masters, and rise to a career-high world No. 13 at the start of 2023.

    The gold around your necks are an affirmation of the sacrifices, hard work and time you’ve put in to get to this stage.

    It’s been a tough road with multiple injuries, disruptions and challenges that you’ve had to overcome, but you made it. Few know how hard it is. Make sure that it’s not just the titles you celebrate, every win means so much.

    On-court partnerships may not last forever and victories are never guaranteed, but what you’ll always have is that love and support for each other.

    So treasure the time you have together and keep working hard. And when you’ve given it your all on the court, maybe there will finally be time for that honeymoon in Italy.

    Love,
    Jessica and Terry

    MORE ON THIS TOPIC
    ST Full-time Report: ST Athlete of the Year, two nominees unveiled | Tampines returns to SPL summit
    Badminton: Singapore's golden couple Terry Hee, Jessica Tan want to create more history
     
  16. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Singapore to send 26-strong contingent for 2023 Asean Para Games in Cambodia
    [​IMG]
    Xavier Lim and Poland's Daria Bujnicka at the Indonesia Para Badminton International in 2022. PHOTO: DJARUM BADMINTON
    Su Thet Hnin San
    UPDATED
    APR 5, 2023, 1:18 AM SGT

    SINGAPORE – Xavier Lim started playing badminton at the age of six, and began training as an athlete at 17.

    Now 21, he is looking forward to his Asean Para Games (APG) debut in June as part of a 26-strong Singapore contingent.

    “I’m quite excited because it’s a big honour. It’s not only my first Asean Para Games but also my first major games, so I can’t wait to be able to represent my country playing the sport that I love,” said the 1.33m Lim, who is physically impaired.

    Aside from being able to represent his country, he is eager to meet fellow national athletes as well as those from other South-east Asian nations.

    “I am excited to play in a competition that is more high pressure, to see if I can handle that kind of pressure, and if I can perform well under such conditions,” he said.

    He recalls fellow badminton player Ang Chee Hiong, whom he has met in various tournaments, telling him that the experience of competing in major competitions was different from the tournaments he was used to taking part in.

    Ang will also be part of the APG contingent.

    “It’s a big game and there will be a lot of other sports, so I think it’ll be a lot livelier, a lot more exciting than my usual tournaments,” said Lim, a Year 3 pharmacy student at the National University of Singapore. “But I think it will definitely also be a lot more stressful.”

    The APG is from June 3-9 in Phnom Penh and the Cambodian capital will also be hosting the May 5-17 SEA Games.

    The APG will feature 13 sports, with e-sports as a demonstration event.

    Singapore will be represented in athletics, badminton, boccia, powerlifting, swimming and table tennis.

    Other Singapore participants include Paralympians Muhammad Diroy Noordin, Toh Wei Soong, Sophie Soon, Nur Aini Mohamad Yasli and Toh Sze Ning.

    Five-time Paralympic gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu has opted out as she will be travelling in the first half of 2023 to various overseas competitions.

    Two others will be making their APG debut: swimmer Jareth Wong and table tennis player Rodrick Li.

    In the 2022 APG in Indonesia, Singapore racked up seven golds, nine silvers and 12 bronzes.

    Erynne Lim, a Singapore National Paralympic Council board member, will lead the contingent as chef de mission.

    She said: “It is a great honour to lead our athletes at the Asean Para Games.

    “I would like to congratulate the athletes on their selection and am confident that they will fly the Singapore flag high.

    “I wish them all the best as they enter the final stage of preparations for the Games.”

    Boccia player Toh Sze Ning, who won the gold medal in the mixed pair BC3 and silver in the individual female BC3 categories at the 2022 APG, will be the flagbearer.

    “This will be my fifth time representing Singapore at the Asean Para Games and I am very happy and honoured to be selected as the flagbearer,” said Toh.

    “I will continue to do my best and hope to bring glory to Singapore again and make Singaporeans proud.”

    MORE ON THIS TOPIC
    Paralympic champion Yip Pin Xiu wants to teach kids of all abilities to swim
    Singapore clinch six medals at World Para Athletics Grand Prix stop in Marrakech
     
  17. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    S’pore’s Loh Kean Yew to miss SEA Games singles due to Sudirman Cup
    [​IMG]
    Loh Kean Yew says he understands the Singapore Badminton Association's decision to field him for the Sudirman Cup. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
    [​IMG]
    David Lee
    Sports Correspondent
    UPDATED
    APR 10, 2023, 4:39 PM SGT

    SINGAPORE – The Republic’s wait for a first SEA Games badminton men’s singles gold since 1983 will most likely have to go on as its big guns such as world No. 8 Loh Kean Yew will not feature in the individual events in Cambodia.

    Instead, they will play in the men and women’s team events from May 8 to 11 before jetting off to Suzhou, China for the May 14-21 Sudirman Cup, a mixed team tournament that features the world’s top badminton nations.

    These players include Tokyo 2020 Olympian and women’s singles world No. 31 Yeo Jia Min, women’s doubles world No. 23 duo Jin Yujia and Crystal Wong, as well as mixed doubles world No. 24 pair Terry Hee and Jessica Tan.

    In their place, the Singapore Badminton Association will field younger players for the SEA Games individual events from May 12 to 16.

    These include Joel Koh, Marcus Lau (men’s singles), Insyirah Khan, Megan Lee (women’s singles), former junior men’s doubles world No. 1s Johann Prajogo and Nge Joo Jie, and Elsa Lai and Heng Xiao En (women’s doubles).

    In a region stacked with top talents, Singapore has won only three out of 204 badminton golds at the SEA Games, through Wong Shoon Keat (men’s singles, 1983), the women’s team in 2003, and Fu Mingtian (women’s singles, 2011).

    At the delayed Hanoi Games in 2022, the national players claimed one silver and five bronzes, with Loh reaching the men’s singles final for the second Games running.

    SBA technical director Martin Andrew explained that the decision was made based on their prioritisation of Olympic qualification.

    The Race to Paris rankings lists, which are separate from the world rankings, will be used to award quota places in the five events at the Olympics. Each list will be based on results achieved from May 1, 2023 to April 28, 2024.

    Andrew said: “The Sudirman Cup is one of the world’s most prestigious badminton events involving many of the top nations. More importantly, it is the first event in this window to offer Paris Ranking Lists points, while the SEA Games are not part of the process.

    “We are in Group A with defending champions China, European powerhouses Denmark and top African side Egypt, so it is a tough draw but we will be looking to challenge them.

    “On the other hand, the team we are sending to the SEA Games will be a blend of experience and youth. However, we are hopeful that our players can medal in both the individual and team events.”

    Loh, the 2021 world champion who won the SEA Games men’s singles silver in 2019 and 2022, understood the decision.

    The 25-year-old, who also played at Tokyo 2020, said: “Both tournaments are important. The Sudirman Cup is important to optimise our world ranking points as we try to qualify for the Olympics, while this decision also allows junior players to have the opportunity and exposure to compete against other South-east Asian players.”

    Women’s singles world No. 369 Lee is looking to spring a surprise. She added: “I feel honoured to be able to represent Singapore for the second time in the SEA Games. I hope to be able to play my best and challenge the top players, and also contribute to the success of our team.”
     
  18. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Singapore Badminton Open a smash hit with sponsors
    [​IMG]
    Singapore's Yeo Jia Min in action against India's Pusarla Sindhu during their Madrid Spain Masters semifinal game on April 1. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
    [​IMG]
    David Lee
    Sports Correspondent
    UPDATED
    APR 11, 2023, 9:59 PM SGT

    SINGAPORE – The local badminton scene has been abuzz in the last 18 months as Singapore’s players notched significant results on tour, with the upswing in performances leading to increased interest from corporate partners.

    That has seen the Singapore Badminton Open securing a title sponsor and presenting sponsor for the 2023 edition – a first for the Republic’s marquee sports event.

    With the June 6-11 tournament upgraded from a Badminton World Federation World Tour Super 500 series event to Super 750 – which guarantees the participation of the top 15 singles players and top 10 doubles pairs – the Karim Family Foundation has come on board as title sponsor, while JK Technology will continue as its presenting sponsor.

    Both deals are initially for a year and worth a total of several hundred thousand dollars. Property developer OUE was the Singapore Open’s last title sponsor in 2017.

    Set up by the family of Indonesian businessman Bachtiar Karim and his wife Dewi Sukwanto, the Karim Family Foundation is focused on giving back to society, particularly in sports development, arts and culture, mental health, and education.

    In 2022, the foundation donated $200,000 to top national men’s player Loh Kean Yew following his historic world championship win in December 2021.

    Earlier that month, top national women’s player Yeo Jia Min became the first Singaporean to qualify for the prestigious BWF World Tour Finals. Loh would follow suit in December 2022.

    Mixed doubles pair Terry Hee and Jessica Tan also had a sterling 2022 in which they won their first Super 500 title at the India Open, before triumphing at the Orleans Masters Super 100 event and claiming a historic gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

    The future also looks bright with Johann Prajogo and Nge Joo Jie rising to the top of the junior men’s doubles world rankings on Dec 27.

    Karim Family Foundation principal Cindy Karim said: “We are delighted to come on board as title sponsor of this esteemed tournament.

    “This is our way of showing our commitment to supporting the sport and its growth in Singapore and developing the next generation of local shuttlers.

    “We hope that the presence of local heroes like Loh Kean Yew and other top players will inspire young fans to continue pursuing the sport and work hard towards achieving sports excellence.”

    Information technology solution-sourcing centre JK Technology, which was first involved in the Singapore Open in 2006, became a presenting sponsor in 2022 and has since extended its support.

    JK Technology managing director Eugene Ang said: “As a badminton fan and following the progress of badminton in Singapore for the past few years, we are excited with the promotion of the Singapore Open to a Super 750 event.

    “It is with great pleasure that JK Technology can continue to do our part to support the country’s most prestigious badminton tournament and welcome the world’s top players to Singapore.”

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    In addition to the Singapore Open sponsorship, both entities will also fund the development of national players and post-career initiatives. Further details will be announced later.

    Singapore Badminton Association president Lawrence Leow said: “It’s great that both the Karim Family Foundation and JK Technology share the same vision as SBA that having the world’s best players competing on our shores in a world-class setting will be able to inspire future stars of the sport to follow in the footsteps of these incredible athletes.

    “With their support, we are confident that this year’s tournament will be the best edition to date.”

    Among the stars in town for the tournament are Olympic and world champion Viktor Axelsen, with the world No. 1 committed to playing at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

    Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, and 78 per cent of season tickets, priced from $120 to $380, have been sold.
     
  19. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting among the stars for 2023 Singapore Badminton Open
    [​IMG]
    Indonesia’s world No. 2 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting will be back in the Republic to defend his Singapore Badminton Open men's singles title. PHOTO: REUTERS
    [​IMG]
    Kimberly Kwek
    UPDATED
    APR 14, 2023, 11:03 PM SGT

    SINGAPORE – Fans can expect a star-studded field at the KFF Singapore Badminton Open, with organisers announcing on Friday that all reigning champions will be back to defend their titles.

    They include Indonesia’s world No. 2 Anthony Ginting and India’s world No. 11 P.V. Sindhu, the men and women’s 2022 singles champions respectively.

    Women’s doubles champions and world No. 5 Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti and men’s doubles winners Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin (No. 11) of Indonesia will also return to the Republic.

    The June 6-11 tournament, which is presented by JK Technology, is slated to feature the strongest field in the event’s history following the earlier confirmation of men’s singles world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen and defending mixed doubles champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand.

    Organised by the Singapore Badminton Association, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Super 750 event will feature all the top 15 singles players and top 10 doubles pairs fighting for a slice of the US$850,000 (S$1.1 million) prize purse.

    “I’m excited to be back in Singapore,” said Olympic bronze medallist Ginting, who finished runner-up at the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals in 2022.

    “I remember the electric atmosphere, especially during my semi-final match against Loh Kean Yew, and I can’t wait to be a part of it again.”

    Other top Indonesian shuttlers who will be competing in the event are world No. 3 Jonatan Christie, as well as top-ranked men’s doubles players Fajar Alfian and Rian Ardianto, and world No. 3 pair Hendra Setiawan and Mohammad Ahsan.

    Sindhu, 27, is looking forward to her title defence following a mixed season in 2022. After capturing four titles, including gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the former world champion’s season was cut short due to a stress fracture to her left foot in late August.

    She said: “I cannot wait to return to Singapore to defend my title. I have completely recovered from my injury in 2022 and am slowly returning to the rhythm of competing.

    “It’s definitely going to be a challenge to defend my title with the strength of the field this year, but I’m confident I’ll be able to do so once I’m back in Singapore in June.”

    MORE ON THIS TOPIC
    Singapore Badminton Open a smash hit with sponsors
    World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen returns to play in Singapore Badminton Open
     
  20. Loh

    Loh Regular Member

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    Sisters to the fore as Nanyang Girls’ High School claim first B Division badminton title
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    Sisters Li Zhengyan (front row, left) and Li Zhenghong (second row, left) with their Nanyang Girls’ High School team after winning the B Division badminton final. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
    Su Thet Hnin San
    UPDATED
    9 HOURS AGO

    SINGAPORE – Sisters Li Zhengyan and Li Zhenghong started their badminton journey as children, but it has been years since they won something together.

    Now 14 and 15 respectively, they finally achieved it on Monday morning at the OCBC Arena, helping Nanyang Girls’ High School clinch their first national B Division badminton title by defeating Dunman High School 5-0 in the final.

    After Nanyang’s Michelle Zan beat Estelle Goh 21-8, 21-8 in the opening singles, Zhengyan and her partner Qiu Yuxi built on their lead with a 21-7, 21-12 victory over Glyn She and Sylvia Tea in the first doubles.

    Zhenghong did not disappoint either, winning the second singles by defeating Mindy Tan 21-12, 21-11 to secure Nanyang’s title, before their teammates sealed a perfect score by clinching the second doubles and third singles.

    This was the first time that the Li sisters were competing together for Nanyang. In 2022, they were with their respective B and C Division teams, both of which won the zonal finals. In 2021, when they were both in the C Division, there were no badminton competitions in the National School Games due to Covid-19 restrictions.

    Zhenghong, a Secondary 4 student, said: “I’m very proud of what we have achieved together. We owe it to the support of our coaches and teachers. All of us put in effort together and worked hard during training. So yeah, we all contributed to this achievement together.”

    The sisters were introduced to badminton by their father who plays recreationally. Their older brother also played competitvely in the school games until he graduated.


    [​IMG]
    Nanyang Girls’ High School’s Li Zhenghong (left) and her sister Li Zhengyan, with their gold medals on April 17, 2023. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
    As sisters, teammates and occasional doubles partners, their bond is unique.

    “We’re very close and we don’t argue a lot,” said Secondary 3 student Zhengyan.

    “Having a good understanding of each other helps us work together better,” added Zhenghong.

    Nanyang captain Yuxi was glad that they were able to win the national competition, which was held for the first time since 2019 due to the pandemic. She said: “It’s a new opportunity. We never got the chance to participate in the national finals. It’s our first time and it’s great that we can have such an achievement.”

    Praising his team’s “excellent” execution, Nanyang coach Hong Chao said: “Zhenghong played at a very high level... Zhengyan formed her partnership with Yuxi only recently, but they have built good rapport.”

    Despite the defeat, Dunman captain Hayley Yin, 16, was proud of her team “for putting up our best performance and not giving up”.

    Another pair of siblings – Hans Yeow and younger brother Josh – also played a part in Raffles Institution’s (RI) 3-2 win in the national B boys’ final against Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) at the OCBC Arena on Monday afternoon.

    Hans, 16, said: “It’s a privilege to compete together in finals. Not many siblings get to have this.”

    [​IMG]
    Raffles Institution’s Josh Yeow (left) and Hans Yeow with their gold medals from the National School Games B division boys’ badminton final on April 17, 2023. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
    RI had won the first and second singles matches, which sandwiched Josh and Tan Ray Kai’s 21-16, 21-15 defeat by Ace Kastono and Darrius Tang in the first doubles.

    Hans and Sheldric Lim then clinched the second doubles 22-20, 21-15 which handed the victory to RI.

    “I see myself as his mentor,” Hans joked, when asked to describe his relationship with his sibling. “I do give him advice, but he’s improved a lot recently. He can start giving me advice soon.”

    Josh, 15, was only too glad to be able to compete, saying: “I still remember in primary school, our zonal finals were cancelled and our run ended in the semi-finals because of Covid.

    “I never got the fulfilment of winning an award since like Primary 5.

    “In Secondary 1, I was disappointed too that there were no National School Games.”

    In the B boys’ third-place play-off, River Valley High School beat Anglican High School 5-0, while Singapore Chinese Girls’ School won the bronze in the B girls’ competition by pipping Raffles Girls’ School 3-2.

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