By Justin Kor

Much has changed for shuttler Loh Kean Yew since that historic World Championship win last December. Catapulted to badminton superstardom almost overnight, the 25-year-old has had to deal with unprecedented changes that have come flying his way faster than a shuttlecock.

Within a year, he has rocketed up the rankings from 40th to 8th – an all-time career high. The relative unknown has now become the one to beat. Expectations have risen, the pressure is higher, and matches are now more closely scrutinised.

While the world champion was unable to defend his crown in Japan this year, there is no denying that it has still been a meteoric rise for a player whom the world knew little about just a year ago. And that rise has seen exhilarating highs and heartbreaking lows since. Get set for a rollercoaster ride, as we recap his major milestones this year.

A TOPSY-TURVY START

Brimming with confidence, Loh’s first campaign as world champion saw him rampaging to the India Open final in January. But he faltered right at the death, settling for a silver after falling to home favourite Lakshya Sen.

Determined to bounce back, he duly helped the Singapore men’s team win a historic bronze at the Badminton Asia Team Championship just a month later, beating powerhouses Japan along the way.

MARCH MADNESS AND CATCHING COVID

Despite clinching his first medal of 2022, momentum went off the rails in March as he made two first-round exits. First came the shock defeat to Canada’s Brian Yang in the German Open, before falling to World No.3 Anders Antonsen at his maiden All England Open outing. Catching COVID-19 soon after capped off a difficult month for Loh, who was forced to withdraw from the Swiss Open.

HEARTBREAK AT THE DEATH

“I’m definitely aiming for gold.”

Entering the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games as top seed, Loh was seeking perfection as he looked to be Singapore’s first men’s champion since Wong Shoon Keat in 1983. Having beaten then world No.5 Anthony Ginting at the Thomas Cup just two weeks earlier, there were high hopes that Loh – the 2019 SEA Games silver medalist – would finally break the country’s gold medal drought.

Indeed, he would smash his way through to the final, enduring an epic 80-minute semi-final showdown with Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Minh along the way. But once again, he fell at the last hurdle, beaten by Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn. “I still gave it my all and fought all the way till the end,” said an exhausted Loh. But there would not be any rest for the weary. Up next: two tournaments in Indonesia.

RESPECTABLE RUNS

Fuelled by the SEA Games disappointment, Loh would reach the top 4 at the Indonesia Masters, before making a hard-fought quarter-final exit at the hands of Malaysia’s top shuttler Lee Zii Jia in the Indonesia Open.

But then came another dip, with a first-round exit to Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu at the Malaysia Open. Having a point to prove and backed by a vociferous home crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, he would then stage a starring run at the Singapore Open, reaching the semi-final before bowing out to Ginting once more.

Not being ‘brave’ enough was his assessment of the defeat to the Indonesian. But Loh would have little time to ruminate, for the Commonwealth Games beckoned.

A YO-YO COMMONWEALTH GAMES

While the 2018 Commonwealth Games saw Singapore’s badminton team returning home with no medals, the 2022 edition looked to be different. With world champion Loh leading the charge, a medal charge was expected. And the Republic delivered by bagging a bronze in the mixed team event after defeating England 3-0. Loh played his part, beating home favourite Toby Penty in a scintillating 23-25, 21-11, 25-23 victory.

Unfortunately, his run in the singles event saw an unexpected blip as he crashed out in the quarter-finals to world No. 42 Ng Tze Yong. “A lot of ups and downs here, but just going to go back and reflect, keep learning,” said Loh after his defeat.

A VALIANT DEFENCE

Playing in his 13th tournament this year, Loh entered this year’s World Championships looking to stage a staunch defence of his title. While top seeds like Kento Momota and Zii Jia made unexpected exits, Loh blitzed through the early rounds.

In the quarter-finals, he met an old nemesis in the form of Kunlavut. But there was no chance of revenge, as he lost 21-12, 17-21, 21-8 to the Thai. “I gave my best, I gave my all,” Loh had said after the match.

It has been a gruelling season for the indefatigable Loh this year, who has smashed, served and shuffled his way across a mind-numbing 46 matches so far. There is more to come, with the Japan Open coming up in a week. While 2022 has been a tricky year of adjustment and adaption to his newfound status, one thing is for sure: he is learning and improving. Write him off at your peril.