Saturday, 23 Nov 2024

News | BWF World Championships

A Breakthrough Victory at the BWF World Championships

A 24-year-old badminton player who was not considered part of the world’s elite until recently has made a stunning entrance into the realm of championship-winning stars. Loh Kean Yew, representing Singapore, secured the country’s first gold medal at the TotalEnergies BWF World Championships 2021.

Loh Kean Yew’s impeccable footwork, steady hand, and powerful smashes, which had previously defeated top-ranked players such as Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen, were on full display once again, this time against Kidambi Srikanth. Loh’s agile moves effectively thwarted Srikanth’s sure-shot winners.

Loh Kean Yew kept up his sizzling form in the final.

Kidambi Srikanth showed great resilience and skill in staying in the match after Loh’s dominant first game. However, Srikanth missed several opportunities with hits that went wide. Against an opponent in remarkable form, Srikanth couldn’t afford to make such mistakes.

In a spectacular turn of events, Loh secured the title after Srikanth misjudged a deep lift on match point. Overwhelmed with joy, Loh expressed his surprise at the victory, stating, “At the start of the year, I just didn’t think this would happen. I’m incredibly happy.”

Acknowledging Srikanth’s attacking prowess, Loh admitted that he had to focus on defending well and handling the pressure. He also revealed that the Asian Leg of the competition in Bangkok served as a wake-up call for him, motivating him to train harder and prepare for the Olympics. Loh attributed his success to the experience gained from training with Viktor Axelsen.

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Kidambi Srikanth, while regretting his missed chances, credited Loh for maintaining relentless pressure throughout the match. Srikanth acknowledged that Loh had matured as a player since their last encounter four years ago.

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FAQs

  • Q: Who won the gold medal at the BWF World Championships 2021?

    • A: Loh Kean Yew, representing Singapore, secured the gold medal.
  • Q: Which players did Loh Kean Yew defeat on his way to victory?

    • A: Loh defeated top-ranked players Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen in previous matches.
  • Q: What motivated Loh Kean Yew to train and prepare for the Olympics?

    • A: Loh was motivated by his performance in the Asian Leg of the competition in Bangkok, which made him realize the gap between himself and top players. He then trained with Viktor Axelsen, gaining valuable experience.

Conclusion

Loh Kean Yew’s remarkable performance at the BWF World Championships 2021 secured Singapore’s first gold medal in the competition. His agility, power, and strategic gameplay proved to be a winning combination against formidable opponents like Kidambi Srikanth. Loh’s unexpected victory serves as an inspiration to aspiring badminton players and highlights the importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving success in sports.