SINGAPORE — In the lead-up to the championship finals in Spain on December 19, national badminton player Loh Kean Yew faced an injury scare that nearly derailed his chances. After winning the semi-finals on December 18, he spent hours with his physiotherapist nursing an injured ankle, even requiring a doctor from Singapore to offer advice via video call.

His coach, Kelvin Ho, shared the immense pressure Loh encountered during the tournament, highlighting several key adjustments to his training regimen that contributed to his remarkable success, including a strategic social media blackout. Ho outlined their medium-term goal: to elevate Loh’s world ranking to the top 10 within the next one to two years.

Loh’s late-night treatment following the semi-finals, where he defeated Anders Antonsen, the world’s third-ranked player, proved effective. By the following morning, a doctor’s approval allowed Loh to compete in the finals. “We had to ‘chiong’ (Hokkien for ‘go all out’)… it’s the world championships final,” Ho stated. Giving up was not an option unless Loh was unable to walk, and he was determined to give it his all.

This determination paid off when Loh made history by becoming the first Singaporean to win the men’s singles title, defeating India’s Srikanth Kidambi with scores of 21-15, 22-20.

Handling Pressure
While finals can often be daunting, both Loh and Ho approached the match as just another competition, with nothing to lose. Loh entered the tournament ranked 22nd and unseeded. Ho explained, “The most pressure was felt during the quarter-finals, as everyone believed reaching the semi-finals would be historic.”

Loh had already made history by being the first Singaporean to progress beyond the quarter-finals, surpassing Ronald Susilo’s achievement in 2007.

Before the finals, the pair analyzed Srikanth’s gameplay through video footage to devise strategies for exploiting his weaknesses. Ho’s pre-match mantra emphasized the importance of staying calm and executing their game plan effectively.

A Unique Approach
Loh’s commitment to focus included a temporary social media blackout, a strategy influenced by past experiences. During the French Open in October, he was overwhelmed by congratulatory messages after defeating higher-ranked Lee Zii Jia, which contributed to his loss in the following match against Lakshya Sen. Recognizing the pressure this caused, Loh decided to limit distractions during the championship.

Loh’s impressive rise was also attributed to enhanced training practices. He faced setbacks, including a knee injury that made him hesitant in his game plan. However, this year, he actively sought stronger competition and trained with top-ranked players like Viktor Axelsen, improving his skills, shot quality, and decision-making.

Goals for the Future
Looking ahead, Ho aims to elevate Loh into the top 10 worldwide within the next couple of years, with long-term aspirations for success at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Ho believes Loh has yet to reach his peak and that with continued dedication and improvement, he could become a leading player globally.

Strong Coach-Athlete Relationship
The bond between Loh and Ho extends beyond the court. Upon returning to Singapore, Loh credited Ho for his success, stating, “I wouldn’t have won this medal for sure.” Ho emphasized the trust and open communication they share, which enhances their training dynamic.

Despite Loh’s cheerful demeanor off the court, he transforms into a focused competitor during matches. Ho expressed, “We are like brothers, very frank with each other.” Their partnership, built on mutual respect and understanding, is a key factor in Loh’s journey to badminton excellence.