Loh Kean Yew defeats China's Li Shifeng to advance to the Olympic quarter-finals.

 

**PARIS** – Loh Kean Yew thrives on a good challenge, and his quest for a historic Olympic badminton medal for Singapore is still alive after his victory over China’s sixth-ranked Li Shifeng, 23-21, 21-15, at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena on August 1.

This win paves the way for a thrilling quarter-final match-up on August 2 against his close friend, defending champion, and world No. 2 Viktor Axelsen, who received a bye in the last 16.

Despite Axelsen leading their head-to-head record 8-2, world No. 12 Loh embraces the underdog role. He told The Straits Times with a smile, “I enjoy the chase because the pressure is on him, not me. He’s had an extra day’s rest and is defending his title. I’m just going to enjoy the match and give it my best.”

Loh had the same mindset going into his match with Li. Although he had lost his previous two encounters with Li, 24, he managed to improve his head-to-head record to 5-2 when it mattered most.

While Axelsen was celebrating his wife’s birthday from the comfort of his room, Loh was hard at work. “The pressure is on, but it helps me focus,” Loh said, noting that the atmosphere in the arena was less boisterous than before, though the tension was high as their match was the only one taking place across three courts.

Loh had shown resilience in his Group M matches, coming from behind to defeat El Salvador’s Uriel Canjura and Czech Jan Louda. The same tenacity was evident against Li, as Loh fought back from several deficits in the first game, even saving a game point at 19-20. Despite some uncooperative net shots, he won a 49-shot rally and clinched the first game with a cross-court net shot.

In the second game, Loh overcame an early 2-5 deficit. When Li tried to disrupt his rhythm by tying his laces, Loh responded with a surprising flick serve, quickly gaining a 20-12 lead. A lift to the back court on Loh’s fourth match point secured his victory.

Li acknowledged Loh’s superior decisiveness: “I was not as decisive as my opponent in the first game, and it was downhill from there. Perhaps I lack the experience he has.”

Since being eliminated in the group stage of his Olympic debut in Tokyo 2021, Loh has achieved remarkable feats, including winning a world title, qualifying for the BWF World Tour Finals, and defeating Axelsen twice. He is now Singapore’s first male player to reach the Olympics quarter-finals since Ronald Susilo in Athens 2004.

Despite criticism regarding his mental strength and a lengthy title drought, Loh remains focused. “I don’t care about the critics. They don’t understand what we go through, and I don’t need them to understand. I focus on myself and do my best,” he said.

His celebrations were subdued, limited to fist pumps and a hug with his parents outside the arena. “I can’t be too overjoyed because the job is not done,” Loh remarked.

In other quarter-final matchups, Thailand’s world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn defeated Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto 16-21, 21-14, 21-12 and will face China’s world No. 1 Shi Yuqi. Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia defeated Toma Junior Popov 21-13, 24-22 to set up a clash with Denmark’s Anders Antonsen. Taiwanese cancer survivor Chou Tien-chen overcame Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-12, 21-16 and will meet India’s Lakshya Sen, who breezed past compatriot H. S. Prannoy 21-12, 21-6.

In the women’s singles on August 1, Singapore’s world No. 20 Yeo Jia Min faced Japan’s 10th-ranked Aya Ohori in a last-16 tie, with the result unavailable at press time.