Shooting the breeze with Singapore’s top shuttler Loh Kean Yew
His National Day wish for the Republic is to grow a stronger elite sporting community, and be a strong sporting nation
[SINGAPORE] The year Singapore turns 60 is also the 10th year that national shuttler Loh Kean Yew has donned the Republic’s colours.
The Penang-born 28-year-old, who studied at the Singapore Sports School on a scholarship, is playing the sport he loves professionally, and has also built his family here.
The former men’s singles world champion burst onto the global stage in 2021 to become the first Singaporean to win the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Championships.
BT Weekend caught up with him recently to talk about his love for the sport, his journey to compete in Singapore and what the future holds for him.
He is training hard for upcoming matches in the 2025 BWF World Championships on Aug 25, and also has his eye on a place in the Singapore squad for the 2025 SEA Games and the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Loh, who has won over 10 medals from major competitions such as the SEA Games and Commonwealth Games, said: “The sport can be quite unpredictable, and there are a lot of factors that can decide whether you win the match.”
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Besides striving to bring glory to Singapore, the shuttler said he hopes that “in the future, we will have a stronger elite sporting community, and be a strong sporting nation”. This transcript has been edited for clarity and brevity.
What got you interested in badminton?
I was from Penang and I remember playing badminton with my brother at home. We used the gate as a net. My interest was sparked at that time when I was five or six years old. As a child, I was exposed to a variety of sports, which included basketball and swimming.
My parents just wanted me tired out because I was an active child. So, having grown up with sports inextricably linked with my identity, I grabbed the opportunity to attend the Singapore Sports School when I got a scholarship. I was 13 at the time.
As a former singles world champion, you have a lot to live up to. How do you come to terms with setbacks?
I review my past performances and try to improve. While I understand that the game is quite unpredictable and everyone’s form is different on different days, I believe that this form is created by ourselves, as one can still play his or her best while off-form. So I try to deliver my best for each game and tell myself that at the end of the day, I did my best.
What do you enjoy most about badminton and how has the landscape changed in Singapore?
Badminton has always been a sport that is very alive. When you play against an opponent, you are constantly thinking of how to go up against him. It is also the unpredictability of the sport as perseverance, physical ability and talent do not guarantee you a win. Everything must work in your favour. The sport has found its audience. And while it cannot be compared to, say, tennis, in terms of the reach and prize money, it has garnered its own group of fans.
You are the brand ambassador for companies such as Grab and Singapore Airlines. Are you building a brand for yourself to prepare for life after retirement?
I feel privileged to have sponsorships and partnerships with different brands and companies. Ultimately, we create a legacy of our own. For example, badminton greats such as Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei are brand names on their own. I watched them play growing up and have always aspired to be like them.
What more can be done to improve the popularity of badminton?
I do believe that more support can be given by the authorities and organisations so that sport can come to be viewed by people as a viable career. We hesitate to choose a sporting career because the stereotype is that the pay is low, so it is safer to study and get a stable job.
We are also not sure if we can make a name for ourselves – only a handful do – and the vagaries of the athlete’s life may deter others from going down this path. The perception has improved, but yes, more needs to be done and if it can be shown through our winning more competitions, then it is worth it. Athletes can inspire people and the next generation.
What would you be, if not a professional badminton player? Being a father, would you like to see your son follow your footsteps?
I think I would still be an athlete, because this has always been my calling and it’s all that I have known. As for my son, I will leave it up to him. But this journey is not exactly smooth sailing, so I will also advise him to go into it with eyes wide open.
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