Singapore shuttler Loh Kean Yew finishes runner-up in Indonesia Open

Singapore’s rising badminton star Loh Kean Yew finished second in the Indonesia Open’s  Men’s Singles.

Kean Yew, 24, lost to Denmark’s world number two and Olympics gold medallist Victor Axelsen in the final by a score of 21-13, 9-21, 21-13. For his efforts, the Singapore Sports School alumni bagged about US$29,000 (S$39,712) in prize money. 

It was the first time Kean Yew, ranked 26th in the world, had appeared in the final of a Badminton World Federation World Tour Super 1000 event.

In a Facebook post  after the final, Kean Yew congratulated his opponent. He added: “Thank you for giving me a hard time on court – I believe this experience will definitely make me a better athlete.”

Kean Yew’s defeat in the final meant that he missed out on the chance to become the first Singaporean male to qualify for the BWF World Tour Finals. 

Still, he has impressed many with his exploits in Bali, including winning world number one Kento Momota in the quarter finals of the Indonesia Open.