Singaporeans have become accustomed to Loh Kean Yew’s heroics on the badminton court, with his world championship win the most memorable.
However, many might be surprised that he hasn’t yet prevailed in Asia.
That might change soon, as he has just advanced to the finals of the Badminton Asia Championships.
Source: Loh Kean Yew on Facebook via Badminton Photo
He’s also made history again as the first Singaporean to get to this stage.
Loh, ranked world No. 7, competed in the men’s singles semi-final on Saturday (16 Jul) at the Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall in Dubai.
His opponent was China’s Lu Guangzu — ranked world No. 14.
The 25-year-old Singaporean won in two straight sets of 21-19, 21-15 in 45 minutes, according to The Straits Times (ST).
Source: Badminton Asia on Twitter
Things didn’t look too good at the start when Loh trailed Lu by 11-9 at one point in the first game.
Source: Badminton Highlights on Facebook
While neither player had a lead of more than three points, Loh eked out a win in the game’s final points.
In the second game, the two were still neck and neck until Loh levelled the score at 5-5.
Source: Mediacorp on Facebook
He would go on to run up a 9-5 lead and never looked back from that, as Lu failed to level the score no matter what he did.
Ultimately, Loh took the last four points to win the game, raising his arms in jubilation when it was confirmed.
Source: Mediacorp on Facebook
This win makes Loh the first Singaporean to reach a final of the Badminton Asia Championships.
If he prevails in the final, he will be the eighth player of all time to become both world champion and Asian champion.
Of course, he already won the world championship in Dec 2021, so all he needs is a win in the Badminton Asia Championships final to complete the set.
He told ST that he’s “happy to create history” and will continue to focus on the next match, pledging to give his all.
However, Loh will face a formidable opponent in the final on Sunday (30 Apr).
He’s up against Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting — currently ranked world No. 2.
If that name sounds familiar, Ginting is the player who defeated Loh on home ground in the semi-finals of the Singapore Open last year.
Source: Loh Kean Yew on Facebook via Badminton Photo
In fact, Loh has lost to Ginting in their last three encounters, so he has a tough job on his hands indeed.
Whatever happens, at least he can rest assured that he’s already made Singapore proud with his historic achievements in the Badminton Asia Championships.
The whole nation will be rooting for him as he attempts to make history once again.
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Featured image adapted from Mediacorp on Facebook and Loh Kean Yew on Facebook via Badminton Photo.
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