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Paul McNamara

Singapore badminton star Loh Kean Yew said he was “finding my new self” on the match court after becoming a father two months ago.
Former world champion Loh, who begins his Hong Kong Open campaign against home favourite Lee Cheuk-yiu on Tuesday, missed the birth of his first child to prepare for this summer’s Olympic Games.
Loh reached the quarter-finals in Paris, where he was beaten by eventual champion and close friend Viktor Axelsen, before finally meeting his newborn during a fortnight’s break at home.
The 27-year-old returned to action with defeat in the opening round of August’s Japan Open. While acknowledging it was “not easy to switch back” into competition mode following a whirlwind few months, Loh said his son had provided fresh inspiration.
“[Being a dad] gives me a lot of motivation … whether it’s to play for my son, or to play for the family, or playing for his diapers and formula,” Loh, an HSBC Global Brand Ambassador, told the Post.
“It is definitely more of a motivation than a distraction. Having my child to focus on away from badminton works for me.
“I think it gives me the fine balance I needed. I’m finding my new self in the game and, on the mental side, finding the balance between over focusing and not focusing enough.”
There have been signs of Loh recapturing his fast, agile and powerful best after a dip following the world-title high of 2021. His success at the Spain Masters in March ended a three-year trophy drought, and Loh did not drop a set in three Olympics matches before running into the unrelenting Axelsen.
Loh was preparing for the Games at a camp in Denmark when he learned his child had been born.
“I needed to try to prioritise different things, of course my baby was a priority, but so was the Olympics,” Loh said. “I had to choose the Olympics and miss the birth of my child, so that was one sad thing. But straight after, I just spent time with my baby and wife, because I owe them a lot. It was a good way to repay them, although it’s not enough, of course.”
Loh was invited to train with Axelsen back in 2021 when the Dane found himself casting around for practice partners after moving to Dubai following his Tokyo Olympics success.

Months after the pair united, the apprentice beat the master en route to winning his world crown.
“It is thanks to [Axelsen], along with my coaches and family, that I reached where I am,” Loh said.
“I learned a lot from him and, hopefully, will learn more. We have a mutual respect and understanding, which has helped shape us both into better players and better human beings.”
Loh acknowledged becoming world champion created “even more pressure, because everyone wants to beat you”.
“It’s been a few years and I’ve learned how to manage all the expectations and pressure,” he said. “I’m still learning and, as time goes by, I’ll be able to manage these things even better.”
World No 11 Loh revealed he passes the little spare time he has reading Manga comics on his telephone. “Once a week I see they have been updated and cannot wait to read them,” he said.
If his own story at Hong Kong Coliseum is to have a happy ending, Loh must overcome world No 15 and 2019 champion Lee, before navigating a field featuring Axelsen, who faces another Hongkonger, Angus Ng Ka-long, in round one on Wednesday; China’s Shi Yuqi, the world No 1; and defending champion Jonatan Christie of Indonesia.
“[Lee] is going to have many fans cheering for him – hopefully I’ll be able to turn them into my fans,” Loh said. “He is going to be very motivated and I have to do whatever I can to win. It’s going to be a very competitive tournament, because everyone will feel they can win.
“I’m feeling relaxed, but also trying to push myself to the fullest, so it could be a good balance. I’m looking forward to seeing how I play.”


Olympians Viktor Axelsen, Loh Kean Yew offer guidance to Hong Kong youth on sports careers

Diver Tom Daley calls for lifting of Olympic age rules, despite own ‘tough’ Beijing debut

Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen aims to keep badminton in spotlight at Hong Kong Open

Singapore star Loh Kean Yew playing for new son’s ‘diapers and formula’ at Hong Kong Open

Hong Kong Sports Institute

Loh Kean Yew is targeting success at the Hong Kong Open after resetting his goals for the rest of 2024.

Eventual Olympic champion, Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, knocked out Loh Kean Yew in Paris. Photo: Reuters

Paris Paralympics 2024: Chan Ho-yuen misses wheelchair badminton even as he wins final medal

Silver medallist Chan Ho-yuen of Hong Kong, gold medallist Daiki Kajiwara of Japan and bronze medallist Kim Jung-jun of South Korea on the podium after the wheelchair badminton WH2 singles on Monday. Photo: Kyodo

From top, Chan Ho-yuen, Japan’s Daiki Kajiwara and South Korean Kim Jung-jun share the spotlight. Photo: Kyodo

Hong Kong’s youngest Paralympic medallist Jasmine Ng clinches swimming bronze at age 14

Hong Kong’s youngest Paralympic medallist Jasmine Ng clinches swimming bronze at age 14.

Jurgen Klopp has message for TV execs at Paralympics – and makes Taylor Swift comparison

Jurgen Klopp watches as a spectator during the badminton events at the Paralympics. Photo: dpa

Klopp said TV bosses should “show much more” of the Paralympic Games. Photo: AP

Czyz needs an unlikely sequence of events to reach the semi-finals following two group defeats. Photo: Reuters

Paris Paralympics: Hong Kong’s swimming silver and wins in badminton, boccia on day 1

Men’s badminton top seed Chu Man-kai won his first match in Paris. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong’s Leung Yuk-wing, at his sixth Games, kicked off his Paris Paralympics with a win. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Singaporean 27-year-old, aiming to recapture his world-champion form, will face Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk-yiu in a first-round clash on Tuesday


Singaporean 27-year-old, aiming to recapture his world-champion form, will face Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk-yiu in a first-round clash on Tuesday.


Badminton World Federation (BWF)