Singapore public donates more than US$270,000 to shuttler Loh Kean Yew as world champion wins silver at India Open
Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew clinched men’s individual silver at the India Open 2022 in New Delhi on Sunday, his first event since being crowned world champion.
The 24-year-old, who shot to national hero status after sealing BWF World Championships gold in Spain last December, lost to Indian prospect Lakshya Sen 24-22, 21-17 in the final.
“It didn’t turn out my way unfortunately. This only means there’s a lot more to work on,” Loh wrote in an Instagram post. “My heartiest congratulations to [Sen] for playing a solid match to be crowned the new India Open champion.”
World No 15 Loh won US$15,000 for his finish, while 20-year-old world No 17 Sen is expected to move up the world rankings.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s mixed doubles pair and married partners Terry Hee Yong Kai and Tan Wei Han won their final after beating Chen Tang Jie and Peck Yen Wei 21-15, 21-18.
“A big congratulations to my [Singapore] teammates for winning their first Super 500 mixed doubles title!” Loh said.
The Open was laced with Covid-19 scares and withdrawals. Loh’s semi-final opponent Brian Yang, of Canada, pulled out citing illness, as did Hee and Tan’s after their semi against Rodion Alimov and Alina Davletova, of Russia, was called off owing to a positive Covid-19 test.
“This has been a particularly challenging and unusual tournament for many. Speedy recovery to those who have fallen ill, and I hope everyone else keeps in good health and spirits,” Loh said.
Last week, Indonesian-Chinese tycoon Bachtiar Karim’s family in the hopes that he realises his Olympic gold medal dream.
The sizeable donation came after , after learning that he did not earn any prize money from the event despite being Singapore’s first badminton world champion.
Earlier this month, Loh updated fans from his training camp in Dubai, calling the past few months “quite a whirlwind”, while thanking those who supported his world title campaign.
“Your gestures and generosity means a lot to me. It is challenging to maintain consistency at this level, but knowing that I have the support back home gives me extra motivation to remain focused and to put in my best efforts,” he wrote.
McNicol, A. (2022, January 17). Singapore public donates more than US$270,000 to shuttler Loh Kean Yew as world champion wins silver at. . . South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3163721/singapore-public-donates-more-us270000-shuttler-loh-kean-yew