Asian Games 2026: Loh Kean Yew Bows Out With Silver After Historic Games Campaign

Loh came away with a men's singles silver, the best result for a Singaporean shuttler at the Games. Photo: SNOC/ Lim Weixiang

Loh Kean Yew’s fairytale run in the men’s singles competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Games came to an end in Tuesday’s (Sep 29) final.

The Singaporean was beaten 2-0 (21-12, 21-16) by Thai Olympic silver medallist and good friend Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the decider.

“I am happy to get silver and to create history. But at the same time I am a bit sad I couldn’t get the gold medal as well.”

“Overall, I think I played well. To be able to create history for Singapore, it’s an achievement, and to represent Singapore as part of the Asian Games team is also a privilege.”

“I am very happy to be a part of the team,” the 29-year-old said.

The two former world champions crossed swords at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium, with Loh’s lethal smashes meeting their match in Kunlavut’s steely defence.

The last time Loh reached a major Games final was at the delayed 2021 SEA Games, where his charge to gold was also halted by the Thai, who recently returned to the summit of the world rankings.

Despite heading into the encounter with an inferior 8-2 head-to-head record, there was hope Loh could recreate January’s victory over the Thai, where he came from behind to beat him in the India Open quarter-final.

Loh was beaten by the Thai in straight sets in the final. Photo: SNOC/ Kong Chong Yew

“I tried to refer to that win and analyse the videos a bit more, but it has been quite a while, and he would also have seen the videos and tried to make changes, so it was down to how we played today.”

Even when he trailed, Loh could count on a pocket of Team Singapore supporters in the stands roaring him on between every point.

Unfortunately, it was not to be for the Singaporean shuttler, who had already made history when he guaranteed a first individual badminton medal at the Games after his quarter-final win against old nemesis and then-world No.1 Jonatan Christie on Sunday (Sep 27).

“He’s a very strong opponent and tough to beat, and today he played very well. Huge credit to him.”

Loh and Kunlavut exchanged praise for each other during the post-match interviews. Photo: SNOC/Eng Chin An

“I think I could have done much better today… Much more for me to work on,” said Loh, who felt a strain in his abdominal muscles towards the end of the second set, having only recently recovered from a similar injury in June.

This is the second badminton medal at the Games after the women’s team won a bronze in 2006.

Loh opened his historic campaign on Sep 26 with a 2-1 win against men’s team bronze medallist and world No.14 Lakshya Sen in the round of 32, before dispatching Malaysia’s world No.48 Justin Hoh 2-0 hours later.

A tricky challenge awaited him in the semi-finals, coming up against rising star Yoo Tae Bin of South Korea, who had amassed scalps of three of the world’s top 20 on the way to the last four – world No.11 Lin Chun-yi, world No.6 Shi Yuqi and world No.7 Kodai Naraoka.

But Loh rose to the occasion with a 2-1 win to set up the tantalising clash with Kunlavut.

Reflecting on his campaign, Loh said: “I trained very hard for this, and I was hoping to perform… I didn’t win the gold, but I am happy to make the final.”

The 20th Asian Games are held in Japan from 19 September to 4 October 2026. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.