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New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Shuttler Yew Sin marries Japanese star Ohori
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shuttler Ong Yew Sin's courtship with Japanese badminton player Aya Ohori has turned into nuptial bliss. The lovebirds got married at the National Registration Department (NRD) in Melaka two days ago. Yew Sin and Ohori signed their marriage registration before NRD officer Nur Fatehah Razali, witnessed by representatives from both families. Melaka NRD said in a statement it is honoured to being part of the couple's marriage, and extended its well wishes to their union, which brings together two cultures, Yew Sin, 30, won a men's doubles bronze medal at the 2021 World Championships with Teo Ee Yi, and is currently ranked No. 31 in the world. Ohori, 28, won the Thailand Masters and the 2024 Australian Open before announcing her retirement earlier this year. "Different countries, different cultures, different lifestyles. We've learned to adapt, accept each other's ways of life, and understand one another's cultures over the years," Yew Sin wrote in a post in March. Yew Sin and Ohori have joined a distinguished list of badminton power couples. Malaysia boasts some of the most well-known pairs, including Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Wong Mew Choo, and Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai. Other notable couples include China's Lin Dan and Xie Xingfang, and Chen Long and Wang Shixian, India's Parupalli Kashyap and Saina Nehwal, Indonesia's Alan Budi Kusuma and Susi Susanti, and England's Chris and Gabrielle Adcock. What makes Yew Sin and Ohori's love story particularly special is that they not only hail from different countries but also competed in different disciplines.
The Star
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Yew Sin marries former Japanese ace Aya Ohori in Malacca
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian men's doubles shuttler Ong Yew Sin and former Japanese women's singles ace Aya Ohori have officially tied the knot. The couple were wed in a civil marriage ceremony at the National Registration Department (JPN) in Malacca on Thursday (June 19). The ceremony took place at JPN Malacca's Marriage and Divorce Division, where the couple exchanged vows in the presence of assistant registrar Nur Fatehah Razali and close family members from both sides. In a statement, JPN Melaka expressed its honour in being part of the couple's special moment and extended its best wishes for a lasting union that celebrates the coming together of two cultures. "Celebrating the love of Malaysian shuttler Ong Yew Sin and his bride Aya Ohori. "Our heartfelt congratulations to the couple. May this beautiful union of love between two cultures last a lifetime," shared JPN in a social media post. Yew Sin, 30, won bronze at the 2021 World Championships with his partner Teo Ee Yi, and the pair currently sit at No. 31 in the world rankings. Ohori won a bronze medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and also captured titles at the Thailand Masters and Australian Open last year. However, she announced her retirement at the end of the season.
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Pearly-Thinaah give home fans a scare
pix by video by Adrian KUALA LUMPUR: The scores suggested women's doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah had it easy in the Malaysia Masters quarter-finals today. But the world No. 4 did have a scare in the second game — which got the home crowd at the Axiata Arena a bit tensed — against Indonesia's world No. 9 Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi. The Malaysian duo were leading 13-8, but the Indonesians managed to close the gap to 14-15 before the former prevailed 21-14, 21-14 in 34 minutes. "After the interval in the second game, we were following their game play and gave them a lot of points," said Pearly. Thinaah added: "We had a discussion, our coach also gave us pointers on how to get our focus back." Pearly-Thinaah will take on China's world No. 15 Jia Yi Fan-Zhang Shu Xian — who beat Indonesia's world No. 23 Lanny Tria Mayasari-Siti Fadia Ramadhanti 21-15, 15-21, 21-14 — in the semi-finals. Pearly-Thinaah, who have a 1-1 head-to-head record against Yi Fan-Shu Xian, are chasing their second title in a row after triumphing at the Thailand Masters last week. In other women's doubles quarter-final action, China's world No. 1 Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning defeated world No. 150 compatriots Keng Shu Liang-Li Hua Zhou 21-10, 21-18.
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Pearly-Thinaah smash China pair to reach Thailand Open semis
KUALA LUMPUR: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah continued their sizzling run by dismantling China's Chen Qing Chen-Wang Ting Ge to storm into the semi-finals of the Thailand Masters on Friday. The world No. 4 needed just 34 minutes to wrap up a commanding 21-14, 21-11 win, finally breaking their quarter-final jinx in Bangkok after two previous failed attempts. Pearly-Thinaah will now look to reach their second final of the season, having finished runners-up at the Indonesia Masters in January.
Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Tactical tweak helps Loh Kean Yew stage comeback win to reach Taipei Open final
Loh Kean Yew (above) will meet home favourite Chou Tien-chen in the Taipei Open final on May 11. PHOTO: BADMINTONPHOTO SINGAPORE – World No. 11 Loh Kean Yew is one win away from his 10th career title after he beat home hopeful Wang Tzu-wei 21-18, 21-9 in the men's singles semi-finals of the US$240,000 (S$311,650) Taipei Open on May 10. He will meet Taiwanese world No. 7 Chou Tien-chen in the final on May 11. The four-time Taipei Open champion, who beat India's 44th-ranked Ayush Shetty 21-18, 21-17 in the other semi-final, has a 4-3 head-to-head record against Loh after winning their latest meeting in the 2024 Thailand Masters final. The 27-year-old Singaporean said: 'I'm happy to be in another final. The job is not done and I shall remain focused and be ready for tomorrow. It's going to be another tough game facing the home favourite, but I will prepare myself to the fullest and give it my all.' After a rousing welcome for both players in the first semi-final at the Taipei Arena, it was Wang who settled down quickest as Loh misjudged the flight of the shuttlecock to allow Wang to draw first blood and proceeded to lose the next six points as well. At the interval, the seven-point deficit remained as Loh lifted his shot too long for the third time. Despite growing into the game and capitalising on his opponent's mistakes to get to 9-11, Loh soon found himself trailing 10-16 as Wang won with a series of good net plays and body shots. A timely tactical shift paid dividends, as national singles head coach Kim Ji-hyun said: 'Because of the draught, the speed of the shuttle was so much faster on one side of the court compared to the other side. I had to ask Kean Yew to change tactics to attack more and dominate the front court.' Loh agreed, adding: 'I had trouble controlling the draught which was not to my favour, so I did my best to come up with solutions and I'm glad I managed to turn the tide.' Then came the stunning comeback as the Singaporean found his range and was able to unleash his ferocious attacks. Loh struck critical psychological blows, winning a challenge to make it 16-16, before coming out tops in an enthralling 49-shot rally featuring quick reflexes and theatrical saves to lead for the first time at 18-17. He then closed out the game 21-18 with good net shots and yelled: 'Come on!' World No. 26 Wang, whose last tournament was at the Swiss Open in March when he retired with injury, later admitted he had problems getting back into the game after his opponent raised the tempo. He had beaten the Singaporean in their last three encounters, with six of their eight previous meetings going to a decider. Loh was in no mood to extend proceedings this time round, showing a good variety of shots to stay unpredictable as he eased to a 21-9 win in the second game to seal his place in the final. It has been a steady return to form for the 2021 world champion after he won just five out of 15 matches since making it to the 2024 Paris Olympics quarter-finals. In 2025, he reached the German Open final in March, losing to Denmark's Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen. He also made it to the All England Open quarter-finals later that month and finished joint-third at the Badminton Asia Championships in April. Besides his 2021 world title, Loh has won thrice on the Badminton World Federation World Tour with victories at the 2019 Thailand Masters, 2021 Hylo Open and 2024 Spain Masters. He also has five lower-tier international titles. David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
