Badminton Hero from Ipoh
This is a picture of Chan Wan Seong, a former student of Anderson School, Ipoh. This former Perak Junior Champion (badminton) was featured alongside the Veteren Men’s Doubles Pair of Ong Sin Oong & Woon Tong Yeong – in the Metro Sports section of the Star newspaper (dated 14 August 2010).
We thank S K Ong who highlighted this to us via email. According to S K, Chan has achieved World No.3 status in the Men’s Senior Category. He has also trained with another badminton legend – Datuk Tan Yee Khan. We were also told that Chan will be taking part in a number of upcoming events, such as: the All England Men’s Senior in Milton, Keynes, London (April 2011); the BWF Men’s Senoir in Richmond, near Vancouver, Canada (August 2011); and the World Chinese Badminton Championship, Shunde near Guangzhou, China (November 2011).
These two extra pitctures courtesy of SK.
Way back in 1966, I had a standard 6 classmate named Chan Wan Seong from NTPS Jalan Pasir Puteh. I still have a class photo of him. I never knew him to be a badminton player back then.Physically he was skinny & tanned but he was always good in his studies. Fast forward 45 years later,looking at the above photo, it could be the same person. I just want to confirm from whoever who knows him. Did he lived at Waller Court? If he’s from there then it must be him.
you’ve made me curious too, Rosebud. wonder what the others have to say?
Yes, Rosebud, you nailed it in the right bud.
That’s your legendary hero.
He has just left yesterday, 8th.April, 2011 to play his matches.
Matches playing will be from 14th April, 2011 – 17th April, 2011
Jogindar Singh, an Ex Andersonian is giving him some moral support in London.
2 other ex- Andersonians Choong Kooi Cheong & Chan Heng Hock also gave him moral support when he was in Sydney playing the World Badminton Master’s.
So, I hope not only Ipohites but the whole nation will support
Chan Wan Senong when he plays there.
By the way, rosebud, didnt hear from you as we thought of looking you up in Spore.
LMS has met up and we are going “hunting” this week end.
Let’s see who gets gored
Thanks, Ipoh world for featuring Chan Wan Seong.
Let’s wish him all the best & like Datuk Lee Chong Wei, let him bring back the World No. 1 title in the Mens’ Senior Category.
Yes, Chan W S was the Captain of our school team & was our 1st singles player. The last time I met him was in the Inter Bank Games at Bangi playing for Am Bank Group I was playing at 3rd singles hahaha
Hi Ipohworld readers,
Chan Wan Seong wrote in though it was a tough match in the All England Men’s Senior Single, he managed to claw in as quarterfinalist in his grouping.
His opponent was a lanky skilful 6′ 3″ European player whom he lost.
Not to fret, Chan Wan Seong, try & try again.
Maybe our kind Ipohworld readers can give him an extra oomph on how to slay a “white giant” as I believed he must have trained very hard for the battle.
See Chan Wan Seong in action next in Richmond, Vancouver, Canada
( August, 2011 ).
To Strive, To Seek, To Find & Not to Yield.
Hi SK. thanks for the update. Chan Wan Seong, if you’re reading this….we at Ipohworld wish you ALL THE BEST!
Hi Felicia & Ipohworld readers,
Chan Wan Seong wrote
“I’d like to thank all fellow ex-school or class mates who have given me kind words of support n well wishes
and also all Ipohworld readers ”
Yes, Chan Wan Seong, all the best to you in
your next World Championship.
Go in like a roaring tiger .. grrrrrr
Sorry, correction for my comments on 16th April Item 4. Wan Seong was playing for Am Bank Group. I was playing at 3rd singles for Pasir Puteh school team with Wan Seong at 1st singles. So glad to be able to talk to him on the phone the other day. Syabas!!!! Rosebud, sorry I did not get your email address. Can you get mine from the Administrator???
I was Chan Wan Seong’s classmate in Anderson School. He was pretty awesome then and together with another classmate, Lam Peng Onn, they were the Perak Juniors conquerors!!! Remember Chin Kong Hin from Sam Tet? Pity we lost him in a car crash… Couldn’t handle the standard then, so took up TT, instead. Took up badminton in UK and was Oxfordshire first singles. Would be good to get in touch again!! I’m back in Ipoh Mon 4th till Thurs 7th July.
Hi Ng Hon Wah,
Long time no see. How are you.
Thought we lost you.
You were the same class with Chan Wan Seong, Au Sek Keong, Chow Kam Leong, Lam Peng Oon, Edward, Gan Cheen Kar, Lee Kien Toon, Wong Siew Choong, Ong Siew Choon,
Teh Chin Loke, Yap Swee Hee, Tan Swee Poh, Tang Yew Mun
& etc.
Keep in touch via Ipoh World.
I just met Jason Lee Kean Heng & Tan Hau Teck & was a wonderful reunion after 40 over years apart.
Hi Ipohworld readers,
Another update on our Badminton Hero, Chan Wan Seong.
He will be playing in the World’s Senior in Richmond, Canada from Aug 21 – 27, 2011.
BWF – URL
http://bwfworldseniors2011.com/
Like Datuk Lee Chong Wei who will be meeting Lin Dan in the Final in the Professional World Badminton series in Wembley,
let’s us also cheer Chan Wan Seong & Datuk Lee Chong Wei all the way.
URL – World Badminton Wembley
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/badminton/Lee-Lin-in-dream-world-final/articleshow/9596127.cms
Well, Chan Wan Seong, hopefully you will slay a “white
giant” along the way this time.
An ex-Andersonian an Ipohite, Ken Lee, shall be giving him moral support there this time.
This is what Chan Wan Seong wrote
“Thank you for your moral support in coming for this official BWF World Senior Badminton Championships 2011(held once every 2 years) which will be held Richmond Olympic Oval Hall, 6111 River Road,Richmond.
I believe the match fixtures will be out soon. If you google the title of this championships, you’ll be able to view the details. There are competitors from at least 38 countries.
In my age-group category of 55-59 years, there are 37 Men’s Singles players, and 52 Men’s Doubles pairs. Many of them are ex-internationals or ex-Thomas Cup players, so the field is exceptionally tough.
Besides me and my partner, Kwek Chiew Peng (an ex-Thomas Cup teammate of James Selvaraj, Dominic Soong, Saw Swee Leong, Moo Foot Lian, Cheah Hong Cheong, etc, in 1972-1976 known then as the ‘Punch Gunalan Babes’ ), only 2 other Malaysians are competing, ie Ong Sin Oong & Woon Tong Yeong ( the Men’s Doubles Runners-up 60-64 Years Age-Group in the All-England Senior Badminton Championships 2010), who”ll be competing in that older age-group. ”
Yes, Chan Wan Seong will be playing in the Singles & Doubles where he is partnering another badminton great Kwek Chiew Peng,
an ex- Thomas Cupper.
Go for it, Tiger, Grrrrr……….
An update from the star Aug 16, 2011
on BWF in Richmaond, Canada.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/8/16/central/9299135
Tuesday August 16, 2011
Kwek to compete in both singles and doubles at World Senior meet
By NG WEI LOON
weiloon@thestar.com.my
AFTER almost three decades of absence from the international scene, former national shuttler Kwek Chiew Peng will be attempting a successful return to competitive competition at the international veteran level.
The 57-year-old Kwek will be featuring in both singles and doubles of the men’s 55-59 age-group at the fifth World Senior Badminton Championships at the Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond, Canada from Aug 21-27.
The former Thomas Cupper, who was part of the national training camp between 1975 and 1982, is hopeful of making an impact at the upcoming outing.
Still in touch: Kwek did not hang up his racquet completely and continued to play regularly.
“I left from the national team in 1982 but I did not hang up my racquet completely. I am still in touch with the game because I continued to play regularly. I still find a lot of joy pursuing badminton as a favourite past time. It has also a chance for me to socialise and foster closer friendship with others sharing the similar interest. However, I have only been competing in the local veteran age-group tournaments,” said Kwek.
Five years ago, Kwek did not go beyond the quarter-finals in his campaign at the World Chinese Badminton Championships in Malaysia.
In his debut appearance at the world senior meet, the more prepared Kwek is aiming to be among the medal contenders by making it into the last four of the singles as well as the doubles.
Kwek will be forming a scratch partnership with another avid veteran shuttler Chan Wan Seong to vie for honours in the doubles at the upcoming meet.
However, Kwek admitted he is going into the unknown territory without knowing the exact strength of the entries in the singles contest and is expecting a tough ride to achieve his target of booking a place in the semi-finals.
“I am really excited about making the trip and competing against my peers at a high level again. I am ready to take on the challenges. It will be the first tournament pairing up with Chan. We are confident that we can complement each other and produce a decent attacking game to trouble our opponents. As we gear up for the tournament, we tried to forge a better understanding and improve on our combination when we come together once a week on Sundays over the past two months,” he said.
During his seven-year stint with the national squad, Kwek paired up with Lim Cheng Hoe to emerge as the national men’s doubles champions in 1976 and earned his place the Malaysia’s Thomas Cup line-up finishing as the runners-up after they went down 0-9 to Indonesia at Bangkok in the 1976 campaign.
“I was not fielded because I was inexperienced compared to the more notable names like Phua Ah Hua, James Selvaraj, Moo Foot Lian, Dominic Soong and Cheah Hong Chong to carry the challenge in the doubles. It was a privilege to be part of the team,” said Kwek, who has also represented the country at the SEA Games and Asian Games.
Besides settling for second in the men’s doubles at the Selangor Open, Kwek was the Negri Sembilan Closed men’s singles champion for an impressive seven consecutive years from 1975 to 1981.
“Then, I had the advantage because I was training at a higher intensity with the national team. It was no surprise that I was stronger and dominated the Negri Sembilan Closed during the period, ” he said.
Kwek, who hails from Muar, shifted to Port Dickson after he secured a career with Shell based in Port Dickson because of his exploits in badminton.
He was with the refinery for 20 years followed by another 15-year stint in marketing before he called it a day two years ago.
Following his retirement, Kwek took up the opportunity to devote his full attention into the fastest racquet sport again when setting up the Total Badminton Academy in Port Dickson.
Kwek said his has a sincere intention to contribute back to badminton and sharing his experiences with the youngsters teaching them the basic skills.
“I do not have my own facilities and centre. I am running the training programmes at a public hall. I conduct the sessions on my own and do not engage trainers because I believe in giving the trainees my personal attention. I am also keeping fit sparring with the trainees everyday. I have also incorporated strength training three times a week at home to prepare for the world senior championships,” he added.
Currently, Kwek has 100 trainees aged between seven and 18 years and five promising talents from the Under-12 age-group have moved on to join the Negri Sembilan state training programme after only one-year under his care.
“I am also fortunate because my wife (Amy Chong Mee Laing) for 27 years also shares the similar passion for badminton,” said Kwek, who is a father of two children aged 21 and 25.
FACT FILE
Name: Kwek Chiew Peng
Date of Birth: Dec 3, 1953
Hometown: Muar, Johor
Occupation: Coach
Hobby: Badminton
Favourite Sports Personality: Rudy Hartono (Ina)
Education:
- Chung Hwa 1 primary school
- Muar High School
Achievements:
1975-1982: National shuttler
1975-1981: Negri Sembilan men’s singles champion
1976-1979: Thomas Cupper
1976: National men’s doubles champion (with Lim Cheng Hoe)
1978: Asia Games
1979: SEA Games
Coaching Qualification:
BAM Level One
Well, Ipohworld readers,
Chan Wan Seong can be reached at
chanws02@yahoo.com.sg .
Do give him a good cheer.
Hi Ng Hon Wah,
Nice to see your name appear. Took me right back to our days in Andersons. Remember you went off to England and sort of dropped out of sight.
Like SK mentioned Wan Seong was in Sydney and we caught up for the chit chat, diner and all. It is always good to get back together after all these years.
Been living in Sydney for the last 25yrs now.
Keep in contact.
Hi Choong Kooi Cheong,
Thanks for keeping in touch with Chan Wan Seong
and lets hope Ken Lee, Ipohites, Andersonians & Malaysians can catch up with him in
Richmond, Canada.
His flight is today, Aug 17, 2011.
BTW, Kooi Ceong, remember the Thai Fish Farm
I mentioned about ?
Appended is an article on it.
http://www.taufulou.com/2010/03/08/fish-farm-thai-restaurant-hulu-langat-ampang/
Cheers
Hi Ipohworld Readers,
Update from Chan Wan Seong in Richmond
on Aug 21, 2011.
Chan Wan Seong has cleared his 1st Singles match against an Indian player 21-11 , 21-9.
His next opponent is a German player.
thanks for the update, SK. we wish Chan Wan Seong the best of luck!
Hi Felicia & Ipohworld readers,
Thanks for your kind support.
It was really World Class badminton.
Chan Wan Seong wrote to say it was a tough fight & was defeated by a tough German player.
He has a better passage in the doubles beating a Swedish pair before being ousted by a Thai seeded ex Thomas Cuppers pair in the Quarter Finals.
Dont worry, Wan Seong.
That makes you resilient and you can spring back in action in the next round.
You are like a process of a sword.
The more competition you played, the sharper you will be.
Cheers.
Hi Ipohworld readers,
Chan Wan Seong has directed me to
the result from The Star, Metro Central
Sep 7, 2011, page 19 for your reading pleasure
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/9/7/central/9411867&sec=central
Early exit for veteran shuttlers
By NG WEI LOON
weiloon@thestar.com.my
VETERAN shuttlers Woon Tong Yeong and Ong Sin Oong were shown the exit door in the first round of the fifth World Senior Badminton Championships at the Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond, Canada recently.
Playing in the singles in the men’s 60-64 years, they succumbed to their more fitter opponents. However, Tong Yong and Sin Oong received a consolation when they combined effectively to reach the semi-finals in the same age group. They failed to make it to the final.
En route to the last four, the Malaysian pair stunned third seeds Hubert Miranda-Nadkarni Shirish of India in three games (21-14, 12-21, 22-20) in the quarter-finals.
A team: Sin Oong (left) and Tong Yeong in action.
In the semi-final, the Malaysian pair, who were runners-up at the All-England Seniors and World Chinese Badminton Champion-ships last year, found the top seeded partnership of Seri Chintanaseri-Chaisak Thongdejsri of Thailand too hot to handle and bowed out tamely 11-21, 13-21.
Their teammate Chan Wan Seong, who featured in the men’s 55-59 years age-group said both the 62-year-old Tong Yeong and Sin Oong could not get their game going against the Thais.
“Having represented Thailand at top flight, Chaisak is a more well-known figure. The Thais had a healthy advantage over our pair throughout the encounter.
“Tong Yeong and Wan Seong got into the rhythm and played better towards the end of the second game but they left it too late to trouble their opponents and save the match,” Wan Seong added.
And the superior Thais lived up to their billing as the top ranked pair in the section as they went on to capture the title.
Meanwhile, Wan Seong and former Thomas Cupper Kwek Chiew Peng could not get past the second round run in the men’s 55-59 years singles.
The 57-year-old Chiew Peng put up a fighting display against Japan’s Tomoji Matsui but was not enough to deny the top seed from progressing. The Japanese advanced with a hard-earned 23-21, 21-18 victory.
It was also the end of the road for Wan Seong losing to 16-21, 11-21 to Miles Eggers of Germany in the singles.
In the doubles opening round, Wan Seong-Chiew Peng came from a game down to beat Sweden’s Christer Forgren-Curt Ingedahl 16-21, 21-13, 21-16.
However, they fell to top seeds and eventual champions Jiamsak Panitchaikul-Taveesup Waranusast of Thailand in the quarter-final stage. The Thais beat the Swedes 21-13, 21-7.
Wan Seong is now focusing in playing the singles in the men’s 55-59 years section at the upcoming World Chinese Badminton Championships scheduled in Shunde, Guangzhou in November.
The 57-year-old corporate and institutional banking director with a financial institution said he is hoping to continue his partnership with Chiew Peng at the All-England Seniors next year.
“Despite not going far in our debut outing together, we felt that we are a well-balanced pair and could complement each other. It was a good learning curve pairing up with Chiew Peng because we share the same idea of applying the attacking strategies. We will need to improve on our combination with better match temperament to achieve our goals in the future,” added Wan Seong.
We wish Chan Wan Seong & his team the best in Shunde, Guangzhou in November 2011.
Hi Ipohworld readers,
Sharing with you Chan Wan Seong’s next quest :
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/9/28/central/9556634&sec=central
Former ace Chiew Peng reigniting his interest in badminton
By NG WEI LOON
weiloon@thestar.com.my
IT WAS not exactly a triumphant return to competitive action for former Thomas Cupper Kwek Chiew Peng after almost three decades of not playing in competition at the international level.
He returned empty-handed at the recent World Senior Badminton Championships at the Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond, Canada.
Although Chiew Peng, 57, returned home empty handed in the singles and doubles matches in the men’s 55 to 59 years, his campaign playing in the veterans’ tournament has re-ignited his passion and desire to go for better results in competitions of such nature.
Unknown pair: Kwek (left) teaming up with another avid veteran shuttler Chan Wan Seong to vie for honours in the doubles at the upcoming meet.
Earlier, Chiew Peng had no intention of signing up to play in the forthcoming 18th World Chinese Championships in Shunde, Guangzhou from Nov 17-21.
But now he says that his wife Amy Chong Mee Laing, who shares a similar passion for badminton, gave her consent for him to play in China with his new partner Chan Wan Seong in the doubles events.
“My wife has planned to go on a holiday during the same period. And I am very fortunate because she has shown great understanding and decided to postpone her trip to allow me to take part at the World Chinese Championships,” said Chiew Peng.
Five years ago, Chiew Peng failed to surpass the quarter-finals stage in this championships playing in three events — mixed doubles, men’s singles and doubles — then participating in the 50 to 54 years section at the World Chinese Badminton Championships in Malaysia.
Chiew Peng said he is more prepared for his second appearance at the World Chinese Championships.
In the recent outing in Canada, Chiew Peng-Wan Seong went down 13-21, 7-21 to top seeds and eventual champions Jiamsak Panitchaikul-Taveesup Waranusast of Thailand in the quarter-finals.
Chiew Peng admitted they would need to apply a different strategy against the more experienced Thais if they had to cross path with the Thai pair again in China.
“We realised that we cannot opt for a predictable game plan because the Thais are very comfortable with our normal attacking approaches.
“We need to offer more threatening variations to turn the game around,” said Chiew Peng, who was part of the national training camp between 1975 and 1982.
In the singles contest at the recent World Seniors, Chiew Peng troubled Tomoji Matsui of Japan before allowing the top seed to advance with a 23-21, 21-18 victory in the second round.
Chiew Peng recalled that he was ahead 18-15 on both occasions but could not pull off the clinical finishing to upset Tomoji.
“I picked up a right ankle injury six weeks before the World Seniors tournament. I was very cautious with my movement around the court because I did not want to aggravate the injury.
“It was a chance to develop and explore the combination with Chan at the World Seniors. We felt that we can complement each other because we share the similar idea of putting up a decent attacking display.
“Hopefully, I will recover fully from the ankle injury and be among the serious contenders in both singles and doubles of my age-group at the World Chinese meet.
“The outing at the World Seniors has boosted my confidence. I am convinced that I can still perform at a high level and match my peers in the age-group,” he said.
And the World Chinese Championships will also serve as a platform for Chiew Peng-Wan Seong to strengthen their partnership as they gear up to make an attempt to be among the medal contenders at the 96th All-England Seniors Championships scheduled at Milton Keynes from April 20-22 next year.
We wish Chan Wan Seong & his team in his forthcoming 18th World Chinese Championships in Shunde, Guangzhou from Nov 17-21.
Watch out for it.
Hi SK:
Saw your message dated: July 5th, 2011 at 12:27 am
>>> You were the same class with Chan Wan Seong, Au Sek Keong, Chow Kam Leong, Lam Peng Oon, Edward, Gan Cheen Kar, Lee Kien Toon, Wong Siew Choong, Ong Siew Choon,
Teh Chin Loke, Yap Swee Hee, Tan Swee Poh, Tang Yew Mun
& etc. <<<
I need a favour. I wonder if Gan Cheen Kar is my classmate back in UM, doing Mathematics 75-78. And if he is, do you have his contact. Will be great to make contact with him.
My email is leonghw@gmail.com
Regards, –hon-wai
Hi Leong Hon Wai
Sorry for the late reply.
Was just browsing through my past postings when I came across your message.
Unlike, Facebook, Ipohworld does not alert you on in-coming mails.
Maybe I write to Ipohworld editor about this.
Yes, I think Gan Cheen Kar is the same person & he is a maths wizard.
He is in Melbourne.
I remember copying his maths working from his exercise book.
In reading, Gan Cheen Kar, hope this Leong Hon Wai
is your Uni Mate and happy connection.
Cheers,
SK
Ed- Any possibility of alerting us on in-coming mail on past postings?
Thank you.
Hi SK:
Saw your reply. Thank you very much.
I have also replied via email to you.
Awaiting email reply from Gan Cheen Kar.
Regards, –hon-wai
Hi Ipohworld Readers,
Update on Chan Wan Seong quest.
Let’s all give him a fiery dragon 2012 year start
for his coming competitions.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/2/15/central/10716799&sec=central
Wednesday February 15, 2012
Shuttler Chan wants to be in medal play-off rounds at Milton Keynes
By NG WEI LOON
weiloon@thestar.com.my
VETERAN shuttler Chan Wan Seong is hoping to be third time lucky in advancing to the medal play-off rounds of the men’s 55 to 59-years singles contest at the 96th All-England Seniors Championships scheduled at Milton Keynes from April 19-22.
In his third appearance at the meet, the 58-year-old corporate and institutional banking director intends to create a major breakthrough and book his place in the semi-finals.
From his previous two outings, Chan realised it is not going to be a walk in the park to reach his target by emerging as one of the group winners in the preliminary stages for a spot in the last four.
And his maiden victory securing the AmBank Group men’s singles title, which provided a memorable finish to last year, has also boosted his confidence.
New partnership: Kwek (left) teaming up with Chan to vie for honours in the doubles at the upcoming meet.
Chan recalled the agonising experience of dropping a match against European opponents and completed his campaign as the runner-up in the group at the All-England Seniors Championships in the past two years.
“I engaged in a lengthy encounter against a Dane (Christian Hansen) before going down in three games in 2010 and failed to overcome a Swedish opponent (Christer Forgren) in straight games last year. Besides the accomplished European contenders, the younger competitors joining the age-group are also posing as threats.
“We cannot underestimate the unknown entries because the newcomers can spring a surprise and upset the more experienced players in the category. However, I want to fulfil my dream to progress beyond the group matches and pick a medal,” he added.
In the previous two outings, Chan also formed a scratch partnership with London-based Eddy Ong Choo Poh but they could hardly make an impact in the main draw.
“It was very tough for us to match our opponents because Eddy, from an older age-group, found it too taxing to compete in the younger category,” he said.
After forging a partnership with former Thomas Cupper Kwek Chiew Peng starting last year, Chan is also hopeful that their combination will blossom in their second season together.
Chan-Kwek did not get past the quarter-finals of the World Seniors Championships in Richmond, Canada and the World Chinese Championships in Shunde, Guangzhou at both international outings last season.
They lost to the eventual champions from Thailand when they were defeated by the Jiamsak Panitchaikul-Taveesup Waranusast pair at the World Seniors followed by a defeat in the hands of Jiamsak-Somrak Amamwat at the World Chinese.
“We went down tamely to the stronger Thais (Jiamsak-Taveesup) but offered better challenge against the other partnership (Jiamsak-Somrak). It will be another uphill task to upstage the formidable Thais because they have the advantage of practising together at the same club.
“As we gear up for the tournament, we are lining up more practice sessions together to foster better understanding. We are comfortable with each other because we share the similar approach in putting up a more forceful attacking game plan.
“From our previous experiences, we need to inject threatening variations and changes in our pace because we are too predictable with our normal attacking rhythm. Kwek is in better shape after recovering from his (right ankle) injury and regaining his form. We are confident that we are capable of putting up a more decent challenge,” said Chan
Although Chan and Kwek showed their commitment in joining the fray for the upcoming tournament as early as September last year, the two had to opt for another option when their initial plan to fly on a low cost air carrier was called off.
“We came up with new travel arrangements when we found out that the airline has cancelled their service and no longer covers the route to get to our destination in January,” saidChan, who will be leaving with former Thomas Cupper Kwek for the championships on April 14.
The two are also expected to feature in the 41st Morning Cup in Kuala Lumpur from July 13-15 as well as signing up for 19th World Chinese Championships in Changchun Jilin, China in September.
All the very best to you & your team members.
All the best to you Chan Wan Seong
Have a pleasant trip to UK & another shot of the title at All England
THE
96TH ALL ENGLAND SENIORS
OPEN BADMINTON
CHAMPIONSHIPS
SANCTIONED BY THE BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION
[Over 35, Over 40, Over 45, Over 50, Over 55, Over 60, Over 65 & Over 70]
THURSDAY 19TH – SUNDAY 22ND APRIL 2012
at the
NATIONAL BADMINTON CENTRE
MILTON KEYNES, MK8 9LA
Tel: 01908 578300
SCHEDULE OF PLAY
Men’s & Women’s Singles – Thursday 19th & Friday 20th April
Men’s & Women’s Doubles – Friday 20th & Saturday 21st April
Mixed Doubles – Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd April
Received an inspiring sms from Chan Wan Seong this morning at 5a.m.April, 20, 2012 (London time 9.30 p.m. April 19, 2012 )
He has a breakthrough as he finished best runner-up in his 3 groupings and the only Malaysian left to see the Jalur Gemilang flying.
It was no easy task.
It was a uphill, marathon matches & a survival for the fittest.
He has to to play 12 sets, 2 sets running into a rubber from 3.30p.m to 8.45 p.m.
With muscle cramp & knee cap injury, he has to fight tooth & nail for a biting finish to a lanky Swede.
He wrote he is happy to finish at least All England
Senior Badminton Championship 2012 Runners Up ( 55-59 yrs age group).
Today,Friday April 20, 2012, there will be Double matches to play.
Congratulations – Chan Wan Seong .
Malaysia Boleh
thanks for the good news, SK
Hi Ipohworld Readers,
Chan Wan Seong has achieved his dreams :
So says in today Metro Sports May 30, 2012.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/5/30/central/11278760&sec=central
Wednesday May 30, 2012
Veteran shuttler fulfils dream in medal play-off
By NG WEI LOON
weiloon@thestar.com.my
IT WAS luck for the third time for veteran shuttler Chan Wan Seong when he fulfilled his dream of advancing to medal play-off rounds of the men’s 55 to 59 years singles contest at 96th All-England Seniors Championships at Milton Keynes recently.
Having failed to go beyond the group stages finishing as the group runner-up in his previous two attempts, the 58-year-old corporate and institutional banking director said he was satisfied with his effort in making a breakthrough and a place in the last four before completing his recent campaign as the runner-up of the event.
“It was great that I have turned my dream into reality. I have trained diligently towards my goal. I am satisfied that my hard work and sacrifices have paid dividends.
“I am glad that I survived the punishing pace. It was a tough tournament. For a start, it is not a walk in the park dealing with the tight competition schedule. I was on the court for more than five hours in one day to compete in the singles event alone,” he added.
En route to settling for second, Wan Seong chalked up a total of 12 games from five matches including two encounters that were decided over three games.
Getting it right: Wan Seong in action.
Despite dropping a match 19-21, 21-13, 18-21 against the second seed Christer Forsgren of Sweden and completed his group matches as the second in the standings, it was good enough for Wan Seong to continue his journey in tussling for supremacy in the semi-finals.
After chalking up two wins over England’s Wong Seng (21-10, 21-16) and David Stopgate (21-7, 21-8) of Wales in the two other group matches, Wan Seong kept his hopes alive and qualified for the semi-finals as the best runner-up from three groups.
He went on to create an upset ending the campaign of the top seed Karsten Meier of Denmark to book his place in the final.
Following a 21-15 win over the previous runner-up Meier in the opening game, Wan Seong shot ahead for a healthy 20-15 lead in the second game but could not wrap up the encounter.
And Meier took his chances well to force the match down to the wire and stayed in contention winning 23-21 in the second game.
“Going into the match, I did not expect to upstage the favourite. I got too excited at the closing stages of the second game. I blew away five consecutive match points in the erratic spell.
“I just committed to many mistakes and allowed him to level at 20-20. I recovered from the setback and led all the way before registering an easier 21-12 win in the decider.
“I shouted in joy when I nailed the winner,” said Wan Seong, adding that everyone was shocked with him pulling off the surprise feat against a higher ranked opponent.
Remembrance: Wan Seong’s trophy.
Earlier in the group stages, Meier bounced back from a game down before fending off the challenge from former Malaysian Thomas Cupper Kwek Chiew Peng in three games (19-21, 21-14, 21-14).
Wan Seong also paired with Chiew Peng in the men’s doubles contest in the recent outing.
Having engaged in a lengthy encounter against the lanky Forsgren in the group match, Wan Seong could not reproduce the forceful fighting performance and offer the similar resistance to prevent the second seed Forsgren from winning 21-16, 21-17 in the final.
Wan Seong admitted the gruelling match against Meier in the last four took its toll and the strain on his right knee and calf, restricting his mobility in the final as well as the men’s 55 to 59 years doubles on the following day .
“My muscles were stiff and tight. It affected my movement around the court. I struggled to cope with the fast pace,” he added.
The combination of Wan Seong-Chiew Peng finished third in their group with one win and two losses in the doubles event.
The duo scored their only win over Denis Cleary-Peter Preston of Wales 21-19, 21-16 but they did not go down without giving a fight against eventual runners-up Victor Sim-Philip Choo of Singapore and Sweden’s Christer Forsgren-Curt Ingedahl.
The recent fruitful outing has boosted Wan Seong’s confidence and he remains hopeful to continue attaining respectable results in two upcoming tournaments.
The seasoned campaigner will be joining the fray at the 41st Morning Cup in Kuala Lumpur in July followed by another outing at the 19th World Chinese Badminton Championships Changchun Jilin, China in September.
Congratulation to Chan Wan Seong.
May the Dragon Year adds many more feathers to his cap.
Chan Wan Seong thank all of you for your wonderful support.
I have just added two more pictures to this post thanks to SK.
IKA, Thanks for posting Chan Wan Seong pictures in Ipohworld.
At least through sacrifices & perseverance, he has made it.
Pictures were send to me by Chan Wan Seong & Credits should go to him, not me.
We shall see him in action this coming July in Kuala Lumpur &
Changchun, Jilin in China, this September. All the best to Wan Seong