SINGAPORE: Singapore’s top shuttler, Loh Kean Yew, was eliminated in the Round of 16 at the 2023 BWF World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, by India’s HS Prannoy. Loh displayed great resilience and triumphed in the second set by 21-15 after narrowly losing the first set by 18-21. However, he couldn’t sustain his performance until the end and ultimately succumbed in the crucial third set by 19-21.
This is Loh’s fourth career loss to the Indian badminton player. Loh’s only win against Prannoy came in the same tournament two years ago in the quarter-final round, with a score of 21-14, 21-12. The two also had an intense duel at the Japan Open 2022, with Prannoy winning 22-20, 21-19.
Loh had a strong start to the 2023 BWF World Championships, defeating Pablo Abian of Spain 21-12, 21-9 in just 28 minutes. In Round 32, Loh faced Ade Resky Dwicahyo, an Indonesian-born citizen of Azerbaijan. The match lasted approximately 24 minutes, and Loh emerged victorious with a score of 21-4, 21-11.
In the face of his tournament exit, Loh remains upbeat and maintains a positive attitude. He openly acknowledges that his opponent made strategic moves during the match that ultimately secured him the victory.
“I am happy that I played a good game, but in the first set I lost. I can just look forward and keep fighting and keep trying. At the end I was a little bit more rushed and he took the risk and got the rewards. It was a very big move from him and of course with my judgement it was sad that it turned out this way. I know that Prannoy is very strong and a good player, so I prepared for the toughest match that I can play,” shared Loh in a post-match interview after the match.
Loh will not have much time to rest as he has a packed schedule in September. He will start the month with the China Open, followed by the Hong Kong Open. The 2021 World Champions will represent Singapore at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, at the end of September.
“It is a privilege to keep on playing and participate in elite and world class tournaments, but of course realistically speaking, we also need some break. For us, we are also human, but it is not easy to do that because if you play more does not mean you always win, and if you lose you will still keep playing,” added Loh.
There were other Singapore shuttlers in the 2023 BWF World Championships, too. Jason Teh fought against Jan Louda of the Philippines in the men’s singles Round of 64, ultimately falling short with a score of 22-24, 21-17, 15-21.
Other Singaporean shuttlers participated in the recently concluded 2023 BWF World Championships but were eliminated in the first round. Among them, Jason Teh displayed commendable skill and determination in his men’s singles Round of 64 match against Jan Louda from the Philippines. Although Teh put up a good fight, he unfortunately couldn’t secure the victory and went down 22-24, 21-17, and 15-21.
Terry Hee and Jessica Tan suffered the same fate as they lost to Denmark pair Mathias Thyrri and Amalie Magelund 21-12, 21-18. In the mixed doubles, Andy Kwek and Loh Kean Hean were defeated 12-21, 21-10, 14-21 by China’s Ren Xiang Yu and Tan Qiang. Singapore women’s doubles pairing Jin Yu Jia and Crystal Wong lost to England’s Chloe Birch and Lauren Smith 10-21, 11-21, while Insyirah Khan went down to Juliana Viera of Brazil 9-21, 21-19, 14-21.