Badminton world champion Loh Kean Yew scored a big win on the first day of the Indonesia Open on Tuesday (June 14), beating South Korea Heo Kwang-hee. Loh, 24, who is the reigning world champion for men’s singles, is ranked ninth in the world, while Heo is ranked 31st.
The final score of the 42-minute game at the Istora Senayan Stadium in Jakarta was 21-12, 23-21. This is the third time he has bested Heo, 26, after having beaten him three years ago at the Hyderabad Open and just last month, at the Thomas Cup finals. Highlights of Loh’s win against Koh were posted on Loh’s Instagram page by bwf.official.
“What a match! @lohkeanyew wows everyone in Istora!,” it was captioned.
Tomorrow (Jun 15), the Singaporean champion will go up against Toma Junior Popov. The 24-year-old Frenchman is ranked 26th in the world.
Loh defeated Popov just last week at the Indonesia Masters.
A win against Popov could mean rematches with two of Loh’s rivals: Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, currently ranked number one in the world, or Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia.
Lee, who is ranked number five in the world, lost to Loh at the Hylo Open final in Germany last November.
Loh’s win today comes on the heels of his defeat against world number four, Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen, last Saturday (June 11) at the Indonesia Masters men’s singles semi-final.
“Tried looking for some answers to Chou Tien Chen’s moves but he brought a stronger game to court today. He will face Viktor in the finals, all the best to them!,” he wrote in an Instagram post.
Denmark’s Axelsen went on to clinch the championship, 21-10, 21-12 on Sunday, June 12.
Aside from the Indonesia Open, Loh has a busy schedule ahead of him.
He is part of the contingent chosen by the Singapore National Olympic Council to compete in July at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The world champion will also be at the Malaysia Open by the end of June, and the Singapore Badminton Open in July. /TISG