Asian Games 2026: Loh Kean Yew clinches Historic Games Medal with semi-final berth

Loh fell to his knees upon winning his quarter-final, guaranteeing Singapore a first badminton singles medal at the Games. Photo: SNOC/ Eng Chin An

For world No. 13 Loh Kean Yew, his Games campaign at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium has been marked by memorable firsts.

A first match win at the Games against recently-crowned team gold medallist Lakshya Sen in the men's singles round of 32, a first-ever win over bogey opponent Jonatan Christie across 11 meetings, but most importantly, a first individual badminton medal for a Team Singapore athlete at the Games.

A 43-minute duel with the 2018 champion and world No.1 on Sunday (Sep 27) afternoon saw Loh win 2-0 (21-14, 21-19) before celebrating with yet another reference to manga One Piece’s main character Monkey D. Luffy.

The shuttler has celebrated with iconic poses of the main character, with each match win representing a continuous ascent up a level, in tribute to the character’s abilities being supercharged in stages.

Loh mimicking iconic anime character Luffy after his win. Photo: SNOC/ Eng Chin An

The only occasion when Singapore’s shuttlers have reached the Games podium was in 2006 when the women’s team won a bronze.

With Loh becoming the first male shuttler to secure a medal, and in the singles’ event to boot, his focus is trained solely on Monday’s semi-final against South Korea’s Yoo Tae Bin.

“These are happy achievements, but I can’t be too happy yet. I still need to stay focused for the next match, and go back and rest and prepare myself,” said Loh, who let out an almighty roar and fell to his knees after scoring the match winner.

Loh endured a tricky opening draw coming up against world No.14 Sen, who was a world championship bronze medallist the same year Loh was crowned world champion.

On Saturday (Sep 26) morning, the 29-year-old was able to overcome an inferior head-to-head record of 7-4 to progress to the last 16.

Loh then returned in the evening and played out a comfortable 2-0 (21-14, 21-14) victory over Malaysia's world No. 48 Justin Hoh for his second match win at the Games.

Having returned from an abdominal injury sustained in June, Loh’s pre-Games preparation involved regaining his match fitness to stay consistent in long rallies.

And he did so in style against the Indonesian, with answers to most of his opponent’s trademark smashes, while returning with some of his own signature kill shots.

Loh was on song against Christie. Photo: SNOC/ Eng Chin An

“I tried my best to stay consistent and keep the rallies going. I tried to focus on every point,” he said.

A message of encouragement from his mother-in-law a day before the crucial clash may have also given Loh the extra push and belief to overcome his nemesis.

“She sent me a quote last night because I was telling her my draw was tough and sent me a quote in Mandarin that said, ‘If God wants you to be strong, he will give you a tougher challenge to overcome it and keep learning from it’… So I tried to find a solution in every game against him. I am just glad this time I got the win.”

At the 2022 edition, Loh exited the competition in the first round of the men’s singles to Malaysia’s Ng Tze Yong and lost to Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto in the team event.

In the women’s singles, world No. 45 Yeo Jia Min opened her account on Saturday (Sep 26) by cruising to a 2-0 (21-9, 21-13) win over Fathimath Abdul Razzaq of the Maldives.

Yeo's campaign came to a close in the round of 16. Photo: SNOC/ Eng Chin An

She returned to the court to face Thailand's world No.5 Ratchanok Intanon later in the evening, where she lost 2-0 (21-12, 21-16).

A knee injury saw Yeo sidelined for three months, with the Games her first foray into competition since June’s Australia Open.

In the men’s doubles, world No.42 pair Junsuke Kubo and Wesley Koh fell to South Korea’s world No. 14 pair Ki Dong-ju and Kang Min-hyuk 2-0 (21-14, 21-12) in the last 16.

They had beaten Nepalese duo Kshitiz Khanal and Praful Maharjan 2-0 (21-13, 21-16) a day earlier.

Koh and Kubo in action against South Korean pair Ki and Kang. Photo: SNOC/ Eng Chin An

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.