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SINGAPORE: Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong paid tribute to Loh Kean Yew after the nationwide badminton participant ended his 27-month title drought.
Loh received the Madrid Spain Masters males’s singles closing in opposition to Frenchman Toma Junior Popov 21-11, 15-21, 22-20 in a nail-biting match that lasted 58 minutes on the Centro Deportivo Municipal Gallur on March 31.
The Singapore prime shuttler final received a BWF world tour title in 2021. On the BWF World Championship, Loh claimed victory over a number of top-seeded gamers.
Within the first spherical, he defeated Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen (2) earlier than going through one other Danish participant, Anders Antonsen (3). Loh sealed his title within the closing, defeating Srikanth Kidambi of India 21-15, 22-20.
Prime Minister Lee shared his pleasure on social media, posting, “Congratulations to Staff Singapore shuttler Loh Kean Yew for successful the title on the Spain Masters! Kean Yew emerged victorious in a hard-fought win over his French opponent.
It has been an 883-day wait since Kean Yew’s final title, however the world quantity 11 has flown our flag excessive along with his grit and perseverance. Sustain the wonderful work! We’re all happy with you!”
President Tharman additionally took to social media to congratulate Loh for his valiant effort and enduring an intense three-game battle in opposition to his opponent to win the Madrid Spain Masters.
“His close-fought win this night within the Madrid Spain Masters males’s singles closing – in opposition to French badminton star Toma Junior Popov – introduced out the perfect of Kean Yew. His delicate drop photographs. His pace across the courtroom.
His nearly unplayable smashes – reaching 460 km/h right this moment, the quickest seen within the match. He additionally had the psychological energy of a winner when nerves have been what mattered.
These of us who watched the sport stay on TV have been actually on the fringe of our seats when the rating was tied at 20-20 within the closing set – earlier than he sealed it at 22-20,” expressed President Tharman on his Fb web page.
President Tharman additionally highlighted Loh’s sportsmanship after he received the match and in addition touched on his journey as an athlete.
Loh’s path to the championship is riddled with challenges, however he by no means as soon as provides up, and it exemplifies the true character of a champion.
“And that gracious contact when he acquired his prize, asking for Popov to hitch him on stage.
It’s been a protracted rollercoaster experience since Kean Yew received the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Championships in Dec 2021, the primary Singaporean to take action,” the President talked about.
“Competing on the prime is extraordinarily troublesome. Kean Yew has managed his feelings, taken classes from every setback, and believed in himself. So right this moment’s victory – which he marked along with his clenched fists – was all of the extra candy.
For Kean Yew and for Staff Singapore.”
Different Singapore shuttlers participated within the Madrid Spain Masters, however they crashed out of the competitors within the earlier spherical.
Combined doubles pairing Terry Hee and Jessica Tan have been defeated within the first hurdle by Gregory Mairs and Jenny Mairs of England in straight units, 18-21, 20-22.
Though Jason Teh misplaced to 3rd seed Chou Tien Chen (Chinese language Taipei) 21-16, 14-21, 20-22 within the males’s singles Spherical of 16, he had received three matches.
He started the match with two matches within the qualifiers and received 21-15, 21-19 in opposition to Satish Karunakaran of India within the first spherical of the principle draw.
The publish Loh Kean Yew wins Madrid, Spain Masters, earns reward from President Tharman and PM Lee appeared first on The Unbiased Singapore Information – Newest Breaking Information
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