Paris 2024 badminton: Singapore star Loh Kean Yew makes Olympic last 16 for first time
Loh Kean Yew is through. Three years after being eliminated in group play at his Olympic debut, Singapore’s ace shuttler made it to the round of 16 at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 following a straight-sets win over Uriel Canjura on Wednesday, 31 July.
Loh beat the Olympic debutant from El Salvador - the first badminton player to qualify for the Games from his country - 21-13, 21-16 at another vocal capacity crowd at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena.
“I never made it to the knockout round,” the former world champion said, after securing his second win in as many matches here. “So this time it’s an achievement in itself.
“For my own legacy and achievement, it’s a lot. Every match, every game going forward is a game closer to a medal.”
Loh Kean Yew savouring the moment
Canjura had his moments but Loh was never in any true danger of the match getting away from him.
Loh will be playing Li Shi Feng of the People’s Republic of China in the next round. He is 4-2 for his career against Li, who has won their lone meeting this year in May.
But regardless of who he faces from here on in, Loh is unfazed.
“I’ll do the best that I can to prepare myself to the fullest and just go for each point,” he said. “The most important thing for us is to enjoy every match at every point. We just have to put everything on the court and have no regrets.”
Loh, now 27, is entering his peak years and expectations are high for him to deliver on the grandest stage. But he won’t let you know he’s hungry for a medal - just yet.
“At Tokyo 2020, I played two matches and I was out,” Loh said. “I’m glad that I made it into the top 16 so hopefully I’ll be able to play more matches.
“Everyone that loses will definitely feel disappointed and sad but it’s part and parcel of our life. We just keep going, focus and do our best.”