Cambodia 2023 APG : TeamSG Shuttler Ang Chee Hiong, Pursues His Dream of Competing at the Paralympics!
Team Singapore's shuttler Ang Chee Hiong at the 2022 APG in Solo Indonesia. Photo Credit : SNPC/Goh Si Wei
Less than a year ago, Ang Chee Hiong made his ASEAN Para Games debut for Team Singapore. The 42 year old was the Republic's lone representative in badminton and was grouped in the Standing L4 event. Come Cambodia 2023 though, the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) is sending 3 shuttlers including Chee Hiong, Tay Wei Ming and Xavier Lim to compete at the 12th edition of the APG.
As a former national badminton player, Chee Hiong is hoping to make amends for last year's APG campaign, by targeting a podium finish in Cambodia. And ActiveSG Circle caught up with the 43 year old shuttler, to find out more of his plans to reach Paris 2024.
Team Singapore's shuttler Ang Chee Hiong at the 2022 APG in Solo Indonesia. Photo Credit : SNPC/Goh Si Wei
Ang Chee Hiong (Badminton SL4 Men's Singles & Men's Doubles SU5, Team Singapore)
Age : 43
No of years in TeamSG : 4
Q : Cambodia 2023 marks your 2nd ASEAN Para Games. How are you feeling ahead of the upcoming campaign?
Chee Hiong : Excited and looking forward to represent Singapore again.
Q : Take us through your training preparations for Cambodia 2023?
Chee Hiong : I was competing back-to-back in Thailand Para International and Bahrain Para International, just 4 days before flying to Cambodia for APG. In short, there’s no break in between and therefore these tournaments are my preparations for the APG.
Q : You were 42, when you made your APG debut in Indonesia last year. What compelled you to come forward, train and represent Singapore in Badminton?
Chee Hiong : First of all, I love badminton and it allows me to go places which I can only dream of. Nonetheless, it is my childhood dream to represent Singapore at such an International event, wearing the Singapore jersey. Last but not least, I want my 2 kids at home to feel proud when they see me on TV. And it's also to set a good example for them, as in terms of believing in themes and pursuing their dreams.
4) As a badminton trainer yourself, do you have a few words about your current coach (Coach Koh) and how has he brought out the best in you?
Chee Hiong : He was my teammate while we were training together in the National youth team. We have known each other for 30 years exactly. And during the time, we were selected to train at the National Youth Intermediate Squad. We don’t really have a “coach and player” relationship, but rather we treat each other like good old friends. He has been very supportive in providing the players to spar and train with me. There’s a lot of planning and logistics involved and it is not an easy job. I sincerely appreciate his efforts and if not for him, I would not have the intention pick up the racquet again after my accident.
5)What are you hoping to achieve in Cambodia and what's next for your badminton career in 2023?
Chee Hiong : Firstly, I hope to achieve a medal for Singapore. Thereafter, I’ll still be going to a few other cities for BWF (Badminton World Federation) to continue and chase for my Olympic qualification.
Team Singapore's shuttler Ang Chee Hiong in action. Photo Credit : Parabadmintonphoto.com
Q : What is your Pre-Match ritual (if any)?
Chee Hiong : A cold shower in the morning and listen to classical music before the match.
Q : Do you have a favourite go-to song before the start of a game?
Chee Hiong : Yes. Depending on what’s my game plan, I will listen to different types of music to set me in the mood.
Q : Do you have a pre-match meal, snack or drink before a game?
Chee Hiong : Typically simple carbo like bread and butter.
Q : Your favourite Badminton Player in the world and why?
Chee Hiong : Loh Kean Yew - because he made Singapore’s name stand out in the badminton world.
Q : Do you have a favourite personal momento/souvenir from your years in playing Badminton?
Chee Hiong : My favourite momentos are the 2 photos (see below) from the Thailand Para International and Bahrain Para International.
Chee Hiong competed in 2023 Thailand Para International and Bahrain Para International. Photo Credit : SNPC
(2nd from Left) Coach Koh Gee Boo. Photo Credit : SNPC
(Coach Koh Gee Boo)
Q : Can you briefly describe Chee Hiong's form going into Cambodia?
Coach Koh : I’ve gone through what he should work on. His focus. The main issues is that he is inconsistent. He is physically fit for the competition. He knows all the players and has competed against them before. What he really needs is to get into the “zone” quickly, as past competitions proved that he is slow in being warmed up for the match.
2)What have you been working on in terms of playing technique, in the leadup to the APG?
Coach Koh : His attacking shots are his forte. But he is weak when he was being pushed at both ends of the rear courts, given his age. He is not as agile as before. So I’ve been feeding him multiple shots to at least, let him get used to neutralize the rear shots by his opponents.
3)What are you hoping for him to achieve in his 2nd APG?
Coach Koh : I hope he can get to the semi finals and achieve a medal for Singapore.
The 12th ASEAN Para Games are held in Cambodia from 3-9 June 2023. 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.
You can also follow our TeamSG athletes on Singapore National Paralympic Council's Facebook and Instagram.
Related Articles
Related Topics
Recent Events & Programmes
Related Articles
Related Topics
Related Articles
View AllRelated Topics
[BlogPost 164749641842 NSG 2024 Netball: Senior Div Girls League 3 Preliminary Round 2, BlogPost 163985727414 Beyond the Field: Exciting Sports Careers for Non-Athletes, BlogPost 164438712123 NSG 2024 Badminton: Senior Div Girls Quarter-Finals, BlogPost 164238055490 Evergreen Aleksandar Duric Still Making Headlines at 53, BlogPost 164170080646 NSG 2024 Rope Skipping: Junior Div Girls Freestyle Team Finals, BlogPost 162884973666 Move and Rest Better With Data From Your Own Body, BlogPost 163393049482 Life Comes Full Circle For Serangoon Garden Secondary School's Fahrish Khan, BlogPost 163258797651 Making Golf a Sport for All, BlogPost 162512222328 NSG 2024 Sepaktakraw: Senior Div Yuhua Primary School vs Qihua Primary School, BlogPost 162233592997 Gritty Lions Suffer Loss to China, BlogPost 162089384371 On Your Mark, Get Ready, Go Running, BlogPost 161670652697 Lions' Excellent Showing Against China, BlogPost 161435270031 Ogura Optimistic for Exciting Clash against China, BlogPost 161127614758 The Future of Basketball in Singapore: Why 3x3 is Here to Stay, BlogPost 161033673012 The Active Lifestyler's Guide to the New ActiveSG Delta Sport Centre, BlogPost 161128356680 Grand New Champions Crowned at WTT Singapore Smash 2024, BlogPost 160844835218 NSG 2024 Table Tennis: C Div Boys Pool Round, BlogPost 160210745115 NSG 2024 Basketball: Senior Div Girls Tampines Primary School vs Frontier Primary School, BlogPost 159881180544 Whirlwind Return to Women's Football, BlogPost 159633541417 Singapore Smash to Elevate a New Legacy, BlogPost 158983580420 NSG 2024 Rugby: B Div Damai Secondary School vs Peirce Secondary School, BlogPost 159003960202 SFA Fiesta: Kicking off 2024 to a Roaring Start, BlogPost 158830735126 NSG 2024 Football: B Div Girls Preliminary Round Meridian Secondary School VS Bowen Secondary School, BlogPost 158536989718 Team Nila Volunteers Recognized At Awards Ceremony, BlogPost 158270107806 NSG 2024 Hockey: B Div Boys Preliminary Round Raffles Institution VS St. Hilda Secondary School, BlogPost 157966862615 NSG 2024 Floorball: B Division Preliminary Rounds Kick Off!, BlogPost 157562433712 What Is Safe Sport?, BlogPost 157559446197 Sengkang Secondary: Cultivating Well-Rounded Footballers, BlogPost 157368261167 New National Training Centre for Cricket at West Coast Ground, BlogPost 155340164987 Active Ageing with Joey Bonifacio, BlogPost 155930815517 Inaugural Singapore Youth League kicks off from 24th February 2024, BlogPost 155340164727 Bukit Canberra : the Coolest Spot in the North, BlogPost 155368905255 How Padang Fandi Inspired Ayden to Chase his Dream, BlogPost 154755572826 Ageing Backwards with Elizabeth Cheang, BlogPost 154094657315 Running For Fitness, BlogPost 153318636178 Excitement Builds for FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024, BlogPost 153198644247 World's Top Four Confirmed for 2024 HSBC Women's World Championship, BlogPost 149413941770 Cultivating Your Kids’ Interest in the Outdoors, BlogPost 149413941163 Making Sport More Appealing for Our Kids, BlogPost 149412549409 Solo Or Team Sport – Choosing the Best for Your Child, BlogPost 151197478798 Former Lions Stalwart Baihakki Khaizan Sheds Light on New Accreditation to Elevate Grassroots Football and Youth Development, BlogPost 80703591291 New Year, Fitter You! Here are the top 3 workouts for the New Year, BlogPost 81171151456 7 Reasons Why Sports are Great for Children’s Mental Health, BlogPost 80542065330 17 Best Yoga Classes & Studios in Singapore [+ Rating & Prices], BlogPost 149404351798 From Brush to Lens: A Student's Journey in the World of Art and Sports Photography, BlogPost 149402825063 The Benefits of Active Parenting, BlogPost 149397832009 Sweden Claim 9th Straight Gold at the Women's World Floorball Championship, BlogPost 149397831449 Lion City Sailors Win 2023 Singapore Cup, BlogPost 148511324266 Pitch Perfect with Jonathan Teo, BlogPost 148511724402 Seniors: Increase your flexibility bit by bit with these stretches]