Being 'brave' pays off: Singapore's Loh Kean Yew ends two-year title drought
Singapore's Loh Kean Yew claimed his first Badminton World Federation (BWF) title in more than two years after beating France's Toma Junior Popov to win the Spain Masters.
Singapore badminton player Loh Kean Yew poses for a picture after his victory in the Spain Masters on Mar 31, 2024. (Photo: Facebook/Singapore Badminton Association)
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SINGAPORE: As the clock ticked on and his opponent gained a foothold in the men's singles final of the Spain Masters, Singapore badminton player Loh Kean Yew told himself that he needed to be brave.
Down 19-18 in the third set against France's Toma Junior Popov, Loh dug deep to wrestle back control of the match.
"If you're not brave then you'll be passive, and you'll start to be slower," he told CNA after winning the title in Madrid on Sunday (Mar 31).
The Singaporean, who is ranked 11th in the world, took the tie 21-11, 15-21, 22-20.
This was more than just a routine win – it was Loh's first title since the 2021 World Championships.
"I'm happy that I can finally get a title again," said Loh. "I'm just happy."
It has been a tough few years for the 26-year-old, dealing with the pressure of a world title win and the weight of expectations.
Since that momentous win in 2021, he has struggled in tournaments to take that final step to the top.
"Even if people don't say anything, I have my own expectations. Which athlete doesn't want to win?" he said.
"Whether it is pressure from others or myself, I obviously have that (pressure)."
DEALING WITH ISSUES
Before Madrid, Loh last won a tournament at the World Championships in December 2021, when he went on a fairytale run and upset a number of higher-ranked players, including Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen.
He is the only Singaporean to win a BWF World Championships title.
The 26-year-old made it to the finals of the Korea Open in July 2023 and the Thailand Masters in February 2024, but fell to Denmark's Anders Antonsen and Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien-chen respectively.
"Some parts were about trying to cope with the pressure, some parts were about trying to work on the consistency," Loh explained.
"Some parts were about trying to find myself, some parts were about trying to find confidence. There was a lot going on.
"It's not so straightforward that you lose today and you work on something and you win the next day."
Next up for Loh will be the Badminton Asia Championships in April, and the Singaporean will compete in the Paris Olympics later this year.
As these new challenges await, he will need to stick to his mantra and once again, be brave.
"I'm very, very thankful for the fans and supporters that have always been supporting me. This will never change," he said.
"There were a lot who were always still cheering me up and encouraging me to do better."
LEADERS CONGRATULATE LOH
In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong congratulated Loh on his hard-fought win.
"It has been an 883-day wait since Kean Yew’s last title, but the world number 11 has flown our flag high with his grit and perseverance. Keep up the amazing work! We are all proud of you," he said.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam wrote in an Instagram post: "He ... had the mental strength of a winner, when nerves were what mattered.
"Those of us who watched the game live on TV were literally at the edge of our seats when the score was tied at 20-20 in the final set - before he sealed it at 22-20."
He added: "Competing at the top is extremely difficult. Kean Yew has managed his emotions, taken lessons from each setback, and believed in himself.
"So today’s victory - which he marked with his clenched fists - was all the more sweet. For Kean Yew and for Team Singapore."
