Master of the sport, mentor to many

FORMER BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Tan Sri Elyas Omar (pic) yesterday mourned the death of his dear friend, Datuk Eddy Choong, saying it was a great loss for Malaysia badminton and the national association.

Elyas, who admired the seven-time All England champion, said Eddy loved the sport so much that he was always ready to contribute.

Elyas said Eddy became his personal consultant during his tenure as BAM president between 1985 and 1993. Although Eddy never held an official position in BAM, Elyas said their common interest in badminton made them close friends.

"I'm shocked. Eddy was in good health and in joyful mood when we met several months ago," said Elyas.

"He had helped Malaysian badminton and BAM in particular. It is a huge loss.
"Eddy was always willing to contribute and never shied away from offering his advice and opinion. He was such a great personality.

"It was during my tenure as BAM president that we became such close friends."
Former All England champion Datuk Tan Yee Khan also paid tribute to Eddy, and said he became an established player after training under the latter in the 1960s.

"It's a sad moment for all of us. I dedicate my improvement as a player to Eddy as I trained with him at his house.

"Eddy taught me how to beat the best," said Yee Khan.

"He was a great player and created the attacking lobs, serving extremely high to frustrate players.
"He was a superb tactician and the reason behind my victories over Danish great Erland Kops during my days as a singles payer. Very few can boast of having his knowledge and ideas."

Former international Datuk James Selvaraj said Eddy played a big part in contributing to developing stars like Yee Khan, Ng Boon Be and 1966 All England champion Tan Aik Huang.
"I have seen him train Aik Huang and other national players at SBA Hall in Kampung Attap," said Selvaraj.

"He was always at hand to help any badminton enthusiast and was a well known figure worldwide.
"It is really difficult to endure a second loss (after Datuk Punch Gunalan) in less than six months.
"I also brought some of the national back-up players to Yee Khan's resort in Pangkor where Eddy gave a talk to them for about two hours. He was very sincere and badminton had been everything to him."
Current BAM president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Salleh described Eddy as a person with strong opinions but voiced them in a polite manner.

"Eddy was strongly opinionated but sent his message across in a polite manner," he said.
"When I became president, he was one of the former players who came forward with so many ideas. He was a real sporting person." By K.M. Boopathy

The passing of a Malaysian great

EDDY CHOONG: Short in stature but mighty in accomplishments

 

The late Datuk Eddy Choong with some of the many trophies he had won in a stellar career.

Who could come near Eddy's achievements? He won a total of 450 titles; 75 international crowns in four countries.

 BADMINTON legend Datuk Eddy Choong, who passed away in Penang yesterday at the age of 82, left behind a legacy which is near impossible for another Malaysian to match.

The highlights of his success were capturing seven All England titles, four in the singles and three in the doubles.

Inducted into the Olympic Council of Malaysia Hall of Fame, Eddy's prowess on the court were aptly recorded as: "Good things come in small packages" - a saying that was certainly apt for him.
Standing at only 1.6m, he was a diminutive that towered over a sea of giants.
Nicknamed the "Mighty Mouse", Eddy did not let his size affect his game, but instead used it to his advantage.

Playing a major role in Malaya's 1955 Thomas Cup triumph, Eddy's famous jumping smashes and blistering speed worked to devastating effect against rivals.

The heir to a successful business empire, Eddie did not follow his parents' footsteps but took up badminton seriously instead of taking over the family business.
However, he made them proud by becoming part of the Asian tsunami that swept aside the European powers in the 1950s.

Eddy's brothers, David and Freddie also turned out to be great badminton players.
He teamed up with David to win three All England doubles titles.
Eddy's love for the game never diminished even when he was past his prime. At 53 years old, he won the All England Veterans Doubles title.

In recognition of Eddy's achievements and contributions to the game, the International Badminton Federation set up the Eddy Choong Player of the Year award.

Eddy was really passionate about the game, and he would never hesitate to speak his mind or criticise the BA of Malaysia if its programmes or policies were ineffective.

He would say that Malaysia is still capable of becoming a badminton powerhouse and reliving the glory of its heydays, as long as players constantly strive to excel and stay one step ahead of their opponents.

He once told young players: "My aim was always to set a benchmark for others to meet. If we were to gauge our progress, it is through surpassing our forefathers."

Badminton icon Eddy Choong was a great inventor of shots

Learning from the ‘sifu’: Eddy Choong (right) training the players when he was the Penang coach in 1985.

 

KUALA LUMPUR: He stood at five feet four inches but to the badminton world, Datuk Eddy Choong was the giant of his era.

Yesterday, the 82-year-old Eddy (born on May 29, 1930) passed away in a private hospital at Penang after bleeding in the stomach – to leave all Malaysians mourning over the death of another great badminton icon.

Two other greats – Eddy’s talented brother David and the legendary Datuk Punch Gunalan – also passed on due to illness in 2011 and 2012 respectively. All of them left behind a rich badminton legacy for the newer generation to embrace.

Eddy was the country’s star of the All-England tournament. He had won it seven times – four singles crowns in 1953, 1954, 1956 and 1957 – and three doubles titles with David in 1951, 1952 and 1953.
In fact, he is the only Malaysian player to win both the singles and doubles titles in the same year of the oldest tournament – in 1953. He was also a member of the 1955 Thomas Cup-winning team.

And the player – dubbed as the Pocket Rocket, Mighty Midget, Mighty Atom and Jumping Jack to name a few – because of his small stature but explosive moves on court – ruled the world of badminton during the 1950s-1960s, winning numerous international titles.

After his playing days, Eddy ventured into coaching and was known as a great inventor of badminton shots.

Former Thomas Cup champion and two-time All England winner Datuk Tan Yee Khan recalled the times when he stayed in Eddy’s house for three months hoping to learn the tricks of the trade from his “sifu”.

“I was 17 years old when I went to stay with him in Penang. I respected him because he was smart and had great knowledge of the game. And he was willing to teach all he knew about the game. I remember all those long hours of advice and also the painful and gruelling hill training,” said Yee Khan.

“As a player, he had invented a lot of badminton shots like the attacking lob. He would send the serve high enough to give him time to run back and take position against his opponent.

“I remember this one funny incident too. His opponents especially the English players were wary of him and some of them wanted to know whether Eddy had springs hidden in his shoes because he could jump so high.

“When I became a national coach, I did not forget his words of wisdom. I implemented some of his moves and techniques. He had been a mentor and a friend. He will be deeply missed,” added the 73-year-old Yee Khan.

The friendly and charming Eddy was also well-known among the international fraternity. One of the awards given by the World Badminton Federation (BWF) for their promising players had been named after him – Eddy Choong Player of the Year award.

BWF’s chief operating officer Thomas Lund said Eddy knew the whole history of badminton.
“I consider him the most loyal and faithful badminton player, coach and fan.

“His knowledge of the game was immense. He was also a dear friend of mine,” said Lund.
Lund added that the All-England had a special place in Eddy’s heart.

“During my playing days, I saw him in every All-England. When I joined the BWF, he was also a regular spectator there.

“He always had badminton on his mind. He loved the game.”

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) secretary Ng Chin Chai said: “We are very sad over his passing. He has contributed so much to the game and is truly an icon.

“At one stage, he was the BAM’s head coach of the women’s team. He was also the deputy president of the Penang BA for many years.

“For his wealth of knowledge, BAM had also appointed him to lead the think-tank committee. He contributed his ideas to help rejuvenate the sport. Most of our BAM officials will be heading to Penang to pay our last respects.”

Datuk Eddy Choong - “The Pocket Rocket”

“Good things come in small packages” – an old maxim that was certainly apt for national shuttler Eddy Choong. Standing at 5’4”, he was a dwarf among a sea of giants. However this “Mighty Mouse” certainly did not let his lack of size get the better of him, but instead used it to his advantage. His lightning speed coupled with his famous jump-smashes on the court awed audiences and sent shivers down his opponents’ spines.

Eddy was part of the Asian wave that transformed the previously European-dominated sport of badminton in the 1950s. Born into a well-placed Chinese family and the heir to a successful business empire, Eddy’s parents were not thrilled when he wanted to take up sports instead of taking over the family business. However, Eddy’s love for badminton spurred him on.

Not content with just being good, the ambitious Penangite strived to be the best. When he was not training he was researching equipments and techniques that could improve the quality of his game. He went on to win 8 All England titles and 450 titles from around the world, including 75 international championships. His brothers, David and Freddie, were also remarkable badminton players. Three All England titles were won through the doubles partnership of Eddy and David. Soon Eddy Choong became a household name. He continued to win titles until he retired in the mid-1960s.

Even at the age of 53, when one’s sporting abilities are a thing of the past, he became the All England Veterans Doubles Champion. In recognition of his exemplary performance and outstanding achievements through the years, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) introduced the “Eddy Choong Player of the Year” award.

Datuk Eddy Choong has always lived and breathed sports. He believes that Malaysia is still capable of becoming a badminton powerhouse and reliving the glory of its heydays, as long as players constantly strive to excel and stay one step ahead of their opponents. Sound advice indeed, from one of the greatest badminton legends that Malaysia has ever produced.

ACHIEVEMENTS (HIGHLIGHTS):

As Athlete
1951 - Ireland Open and Scottish Open [Champion]

1951-53 - All England Doubles [Champion (partner: Datuk David Choong)]

1952 - Thomas Cup [Champion]

1953 - Ireland Open and Scottish Open [Champion]

1953 - Denmark Open

1953 - Dutch Open

1953-54 - All England Singles [Champion]

1954 - Dutch Open

1954 - German Open, Norwegian Open

1955 - Thomas Cup

1955 - Ken Davidson Trophy for Sportsmanship

1956-57 - All England Singles [Champion]

1958 - Thomas Cup (Team Captain)

1983 - Veteran All England Doubles [Champion]

1992 - IBF Distinguished Meritorious Award for Services to World of Badminton

1995 - IBF Herbert Scheele Trophy

* Total: 450 titles; 75 int’l championships in 14 countries

Badminton Legend Eddy Choong Dies

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- National badminton legend Datuk Eddy Choong, who was four-time All-England champion, died of stomach haemorrhage, here, Monday.

Choong, 83, who left behind wife Datin Maggie Choong, four sons and five grandchildren, died at the Loh Guan Lye specialist centre here at 2.30pm after he was admitted two days ago.

His eldest son, Finn Choong, 53, said his father was admitted to the hospital after he vomited.

"The doctor had allowed him to be discharged Monday. However, he experienced complications and stopped breathing. The doctor found his stomach bleeding," he said when met by reporters at his house in Jalan Bell, here.

He said his father who dearly loved badminton, was due to attend the All-England competition in Birmingham in March to support the national team.

Meanwhile, Maggie, 79, expressed her gladness at the coming of the media to cover her husband's death.

"I am very happy to see all of you still remember him. For many many years he always loved all the reporters. He was very proud of you all. I think he will be very happy now if he can see you," she said.

Other than becoming a four-time All-England champion in 1953, 1954, 1956 and 1957, Eddy was also a member of the winning Malaya Thomas Cup team in 1955.

His remains will be cremated at the Batu Gantung Crematorium here at 2pm on Friday.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) general manager Kenny Goh said he was informed of Choong's death by the latter's family members.

"It is saddening news and a big loss for the badminton fraternity. BAM and I extend our condolences to his family," he said when contacted by Bernama.

#THROWBACK THURSDAY - The Late Mokhtar dahari

easel.ly

Lilian makes history in Bangkok

 
Proud Malaysian: Lilian Tan won the above 50kg gold in the World Championships yesterday.

 

PETALING JAYA: Lilian Tan struck a historic first for women’s bodybuilding when she became the first Malaysian to take gold in the World Bodybuilding and Physique Federation (WBPF) World Championships in Bangkok.

Lilian came out tops in the above 50kg weight division contest at the Nimibutr National Stadium yesterday and it was the third gold medal for Malaysia in the world meet.

On Saturday, Sazali Samad triumphed in the below 70kg (lightweight) category for his eighth world title while gym owner Wong Hong earned his second world title in the Masters (age 40-50). But it was a woman who struck the perfect pose to pave the way for Malaysia to achieve their best-ever outing at the meet.

Lilian is the only woman in a team of seven bodybuilders sent to the world meet by the Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation (MBBF).

“It is a huge honour to be able to represent Malaysia at the international level in the world’s most prestigious championship,” said Lilian.

”Honestly, I’m still trying to absorb this accomplishment. I’ve dreamt of this moment for years. I’ve worked very hard for this victory.”

The 40-year-old Lilian, who only stands at 157cm, came close to bagging a medal when she finished fourth in the world meet in Malacca last year.

She took silver in the Asian meet in Guangzhou last year and this is her biggest achievement since she first developed a liking for lifting weights when she went to further her studies in California. The Penang-born girl continued with her involvement after graduating with a degree in Business Management in 1997.

Since women were not encouraged to participate in the sport at that time, Lilian choose to pursue her interests in the US.

In 2004, she won the Miss USA Overall Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness Competition (Open category) and earned her status as a professional bodybuilder.

Lilian returned to Malaysia a few years ago and is now a freelance physical trainer.
Sazali applauded her efforts in scoring a first for Malaysian bodybuilding.

“She has worked and trained very hard all these years to get to where she is today. Lilian has put the country in the limelight and showed that I am not the only one capable of carrying the challenge,” said Sazali.

Mohd Shahrul Azman added a bronze medal for Malaysia in the men’s physique 170cm category. Shahrul was a silver medallist in the same category in the Asian meet in Guangzhou in September.