Eddy Choong
Eddy Choong 庄友明 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Choong, circa 1953 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Birth name | Choong Ewe Beng | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Country | Malaya Malaysia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | (1931-05-29)29 May 1931 Penang, British Malaya | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | 28 January 2013(2013-01-28) (aged 81) George Town, Penang, Malaysia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.62 m (5 ft 4 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Handedness | Right | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Event | Men's singles, men's and mixed doubles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Eddy Choong | |||||||||||||||
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Traditional Chinese | 莊友明 | ||||||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 庄友明 | ||||||||||||||
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Dato' Choong Ewe Beng DSPN (29 May 1931 – 28 January 2013) was a Malaysian badminton player. He was David Choong's brother and they played men's doubles together.
Early life
Choong Ewe Beng, also known as Eddy, was born on May 29, 1931, and was the third son of a wealthy family in Penang. His parents were named Dato' Choong Eng Hai and Datin Ho Guat Im.
Choong first went to primary and secondary school in Penang before moving to England at the turn of the 1950s to study law and medicine. His passion for the sport quickly eclipsed his studies and Eddy later said his studies were “long forgotten”.[1]
In the UK, Eddie was much attracted to the Jim Russell School of racing driving and enrolled, but parental pressure forced him to re-think his priorities. However, his passion for driving took him to other aspects of motor sports, and when back on Penang, he revelled in grass track, hill climbs and karting. He was extremely active in introducing the "Penang Karting Grand Prix" in Georgetown, which attracted karters from all over the Far East.
In 1966, with the All-England men's Singles and Doubles titles being won by Malaysians, an exhibition match was arranged at the Georgetown Chinese Girls' High School, with the pinnacle match being between the then current doubles champions, Ng Boon Bee and Tan Yee Khan, and Tan Aik Huang and Eddie Choong.
Career
Measuring at 1.62 metres (5 ft 4 in), Eddy was smaller than most of his European competitors but he made up for the height difference with endless energy and amazing acrobatic jumps that triggered a running gag about Eddy hiding springs in his shoes. Eddy was considered to be one of the first athletes to do a jump smash. His trademark shot was known as the “Airborne Kill”.[2]
He won hundreds of regional titles and over 65 international titles in all three disciplines from 1949 to 1966. Eddy won many of these titles partnering his brother, David Choong, and his cousin, Amy Choong. Thirty of his international titles were gained from 1951 to 1953.[2]
Choong won the men's singles at the All England Open Badminton Championships four times between 1953 and 1957 when it was considered the unofficial world championship of the sport. He also reached the All-England singles final in 1952 and 1955 and won the men's doubles with his brother in 1951, 1952, and 1953.[3] He was a member of the 1955 Malayan Thomas Cup (men's international) team which retained the world team championship, and the 1958 team which surrendered the title to Indonesia[4]
After retirement
Eddy settled in his native Penang for his retirement. After badminton, he bred dogs and raced fast cars and go-karts. He was a good driver and made a name for himself in motor racing after winning many titles from 1967 to 1982.[citation needed] Eddy was also the chairman of the Hock Hin Brothers Group which was his family business in real estate and housing development. Additionally, Eddy was involved at a high level in kennel associations in Malaysia.
In 1995, Eddy became the vice-president of the Penang Badminton Association and chairman of the Badminton Association of Malaysia Technical Advisory Panel. He focused on developing badminton in his native Penang. Choong used his own money to convert a family factory into Penang's first indoor badminton stadium. He later invested 1.5 million MYR to build the Penang International Badminton Hall. It opened in 1992.
Racial issues
Eddy was also a strong promoter of racial equality. Partially due to bad experiences during his childhood, Eddy was sensitive to racial issues. Eddy saw his performances in badminton as a way of showing that all races can be equally good at sport.[2]
At the 1956 All England, he refused to attend the traditional celebration dinner because he felt the organisers treated him unfairly due to racial discrimination. On another occasion, Jørn Skaarup of Denmark gave away a match to Choong in which he felt the Malaysian was treated unfairly. Skaarup earned Choong's respect and friendship with his fair play.[2]
Personal life
In 1959, Eddy married Maggie Thean Sun Lin. Together, they had 4 sons – Finn, Lionel, Antonio and Jorgen. His eldest son, Finn, and third son, Jorgen, were named after Eddy's longtime badminton rivals and friends, Finn Kobero and Jorgen Hamergard Hansan, respectively.[citation needed]
Death
Eddy died on 28 January 2013 at the age of 82.[5]
Awards
In 1994, Eddy won the Herbert Scheele award and was inducted into the IBF Hall of Fame in 1997.[6]
Eddy made such an influence on the game that the IBF named an award after him: The Eddie Choong Player of the Year. This award was given to players who achieved exceptional results during a given year. Peter Gade was the first player to win this award in 1998. In 2008, the award was renamed the Eddie Choong Most Promising Player of the Year and given to the player who showed to be the most promising during a calendar year.[citation needed]
Honours
- Penang :
- Officer of the Order of the Defender of State (D.S.P.N.) – Dato' (1996)
Achievements
Rank | Event | Date | Tournament |
---|---|---|---|
Open Championships | |||
1 | Men's singles Men's doubles Mixed doubles | 1954, 1955, 1957 1955, 1957 1957 | Dutch Open |
1 | Men's singles Men's doubles | 1955, 1956 1955 | German Open |
1 | Men's singles Men's doubles Mixed doubles | 1951, 1952, 1953, 1957 1952, 1953 1951, 1953 | Irish International |
1 | Mixed doubles | 1949 | Malaysia Open |
1 | Men's singles Men's doubles | 1954 1954 | Norwegian International |
1 | Men's singles Men's doubles | 1951, 1953, 1957 1951, 1952, 1953, 1957 | Scottish Open |
1 | Men's singles | 1954 | US Open |
1 | Men's singles Men's doubles | 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956 1950, 1954 | Wimbledon International |
Asian Games
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1966 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Tan Gaik Bee | Teh Kew San Rosalind Singha Ang | 13–18, 15–11, 5–15 | Silver |
International tournaments
Men's singles
Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1951 | Denmark Open | Wong Peng Soon | 8–15, 5–15 | Runner-up |
1952 | All England | Wong Peng Soon | 11–15, 13–18 | Runner-up |
1952 | French Open | David Choong | 15–5, 15–8 | Winner |
1953 | All England | Johnny Heah | 15–4, 15–4 | Winner |
1953 | Denmark Open | Finn Kobberø | 15–3, 15–7 | Winner |
1953 | French Open | David Choong | 15–3, 15–7 | Winner |
1954 | All England | Donald Smythe | 15–5, 15–6 | Winner |
1955 | All England | Wong Peng Soon | 7–15, 17–14, 10–15 | Runner-up |
1956 | All England | Finn Kobberø | 11–15, 15–3, 15–11 | Winner |
1957 | All England | Erland Kops | 15–9, 15–3 | Winner |
1957 | German Open | Ferry Sonneville | 15–12, 15–12 | Winner |
1957 | Malaysia Open | Winner | ||
1960 | Malaysia Open | Winner |
Men's doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1951 | All England | David Choong | Ong Poh Lim Ismail Marjan | 9–15, 15–7, 15–10 | Winner |
1951 | French Open | Cheong Hock Leng | Ong Poh Lim Ismail Marjan | 7–15, 7–15 | Runner-up |
1952 | All England | David Choong | Poul Holm Ole Jensen | 9–15, 15–12, 15–7 | Winner |
1952 | French Open | David Choong | Henri Pellizza Paul Ailloud | 15–2, 15–5 | Winner |
1953 | All England | David Choong | Poul Holm Ole Jensen | 15–5, 15–12 | Winner |
1953 | Denmark Open | David Choong | Poul Holm Ole Jensen | 15–6, 15–9 | Winner |
1953 | French Open | David Choong | Peter Birtwistle S. L. Jaini | Winner | |
1954 | All England | David Choong | Ong Poh Lim Ooi Teik Hock | 16–18, 12–15 | Runner-up |
1955 | All England | David Choong | Finn Kobberø Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen | 9–15, 17–14, 11–15 | Runner-up |
1957 | All England | David Choong | Joe Alston Johnny Heah | 10–15, 17–16, 5–15 | Runner-up |
1957 | German Open | David Choong | Ferry Sonneville Arne Rasmussen | 15–9, 17–18, 15–9 | Winner |
1959 | Malaysia Open | Erland Kops | Teh Kew San Lim Say Hup | 11–15, 9–15 | Runner-up |
1966 | Malaysia Open | Tan Aik Huang | Sangob Rattanusorn Chavalert Chumkum | 17–14, 15–12 | Winner |
1966 | Singapore Open | Yew Cheng Hoe | Tan Yee Khan Khor Cheng Chye | 15–13, 8–15, 15–2 | Winner |
Mixed doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1951 | French Open | Queenie Webber | Cheong Hock Leng Audrey Stone | 15–7, 15–7 | Winner |
1952 | French Open | Queenie Webber | David Choong Mimi Wyatt | 12–15, 15–1, 15–11 | Winner |
1953 | Denmark Open | Agnete Friis | David Choong Inger Kjærgaard | 18–17, 15–5 | Winner |
1953 | French Open | Jenifer Peters | Peter Birtwistle Betty Grace | Winner | |
1957 | German Open | Barbara Carpenter | Erland Kops Agnete Friis | 6–15, 10–15 | Runner-up |
1963 | Malaysia Open | Tan Gaik Bee | Bobby Chee Ewe Choon Ghee | 4–15, 15–4, 15–6 | Winner |
1966 | Penang Open | Rosalind Singha Ang | Abdul Patah Unang Minarni | Runner-up | |
1966 | Perak Open | Minarni | Tan Yee Khan Retno Koestijah | 9–15, 11–15 | Runner-up |
References
- ^ "Interview with Eddy Choong". Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Eddy Choong | BWF Virtual Museum".
- ^ Herbert Scheele ed., The International Badminton Federation Handbook for 1971 (Canterbury, Kent, England: J. A. Jennings Ltd., 1971) 163.
- ^ Scheele, 75, 76, 84.
- ^ http://www.themalaysiantimes.com.my/badminton-legend-eddy-choong-dies/
- ^ "BWF Hall of fame members". Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
Sources
- Eddy Choong - MSN Encarta( Archived 2 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine 2009-10-31)
- Eddy Choong, Fred Brundle: Badminton. Foyles Handbooks, London, Foyle, 1955
- Eddy Choong, Fred Brundle: The Phoenix Book of Badminton – Its history, the development of the shuttlecock, the diversity of style and tactics, and the badminton world of today, London, Phoenix Sports Books, 1956
- v
- t
- e
- 1949: Chan Kon Leong, Law Teik Hock, Lim Kee Fong, Ong Poh Lim, Ooi Teik Hock, Teoh Seng Khoon, Wong Peng Soon, Yeoh Teck Chye (MAL)
- 1952: Chan Kon Leong, Ismail Marjan, Ong Poh Lim, Ooi Teik Hock, Abdullah Piruz, Wong Peng Soon (MAL)
- 1955: Eddy Choong, Lim Kee Fong, Ong Poh Lim, Ooi Teik Hock, Tan Jin Eong, Wong Peng Soon (MAL)
- 1958: Lie Po Djian, Njoo Kiem Bie, Olich Solichin, Ferry Sonneville, Tan Joe Hok, Tan King Gwan, Eddy Yusuf (INA)
- 1961: Lie Po Djian, Njoo Kiem Bie, Ferry Sonneville, Tan Joe Hok, Tan King Gwan, Eddy Yusuf (INA)
- 1964: Ang Tjin Siang, Tutang Djamaludin, Ferry Sonneville, Tan Joe Hok, Tan King Gwan, Abdul Patah Unang (INA)
- 1967: Omar Manaf, Billy Ng, Ng Boon Bee, Tan Aik Huang, Tan Yee Khan, Teh Kew San, Yew Cheng Hoe (MAS)
- 1970: Darmadi, Indra Gunawan, Rudy Hartono, Indratno, Minjarti, Muljadi (INA)
- 1973: Ade Chandra, Indra Gunawan, Christian Hadinata, Rudy Hartono, Muljadi, Amril Nurman, Tjun Tjun (INA)
- 1976: Ade Chandra, Christian Hadinata, Rudy Hartono, Liem Swie King, Amril Nurman, Iie Sumirat, Tjun Tjun, Johan Wahjudi (INA)
- 1979: Christian Hadinata, Rudy Hartono, Liem Swie King, Lius Pongoh, Iie Sumirat, Tjun Tjun, Johan Wahjudi (INA)
- 1982: Chen Changjie, Chen Tianlong, Chen Yue, Han Jian, Lin Jiangli, Luan Jin, Sun Zhian, Yao Ximing (CHN)
- 1984: Hastomo Arbi, Christian Hadinata, Hadiyanto, Rudy Heryanto, Hariamanto Kartono, Eddy Kurniawan, Liem Swie King, Icuk Sugiarto, Hadibowo Susanto (INA)
- 1986: Ding Qiqing, Han Jian, Li Yongbo, Tian Bingyi, Xiong Guobao, Yang Yang, Zhang Qiang, Zhou Jincan (CHN)
- 1988: Chen Hongyong, Chen Kang, Li Yongbo, Tian Bingyi, Xiong Guobao, Yang Yang, Zhang Qingwu, Zhao Jianhua, Zhou Jincan (CHN)
- 1990: Chen Hongyong, Chen Kang, Li Yongbo, Tian Bingyi, Wu Wenkai, Xiong Guobao, Yang Yang, Zhao Jianhua, Zheng Yumin (CHN)
- 1992: Cheah Soon Kit, Foo Kok Keong, Kwan Yoke Meng, Jalani Sidek, Rahman Sidek, Rashid Sidek, Razif Sidek, Soo Beng Kiang, Wong Ewee Mun (MAS)
- 1994: Hariyanto Arbi, Rudy Gunawan, Eddy Hartono, Rexy Mainaky, Ricky Subagja, Bambang Suprianto, Joko Suprianto, Hermawan Susanto, Ardy Wiranata (INA)
- 1996: Hariyanto Arbi, Antonius Ariantho, Alan Budikusuma, Rudy Gunawan, Denny Kantono, Rexy Mainaky, Ricky Subagja, Bambang Suprianto, Joko Suprianto, Ardy Wiranata (INA)
- 1998: Hariyanto Arbi, Sigit Budiarto, Tony Gunawan, Hendrawan, Marleve Mainaky, Rexy Mainaky, Ricky Subagja, Joko Suprianto, Candra Wijaya, Indra Wijaya (INA)
- 2000: Hariyanto Arbi, Antonius Ariantho, Sigit Budiarto, Tony Gunawan, Hendrawan, Taufik Hidayat, Marleve Mainaky, Rexy Mainaky, Ricky Subagja, Candra Wijaya (INA)
- 2002: Rony Agustinus, Sigit Budiarto, Halim Haryanto, Hendrawan, Taufik Hidayat, Tri Kusharjanto, Marleve Mainaky, Budi Santoso, Bambang Suprianto, Candra Wijaya (INA)
- 2004: Bao Chunlai, Cai Yun, Chen Hong, Chen Qiqiu, Chen Yu, Fu Haifeng, Lin Dan, Sang Yang, Xia Xuanze, Zheng Bo (CHN)
- 2006: Bao Chunlai, Cai Yun, Chen Hong, Chen Jin, Fu Haifeng, Guo Zhendong, Lin Dan, Xia Xuanze, Xie Zhongbo, Zheng Bo (CHN)
- 2008: Bao Chunlai, Cai Yun, Chen Jin, Chen Yu, Fu Haifeng, Guo Zhendong, He Hanbin, Lin Dan, Shen Ye, Xie Zhongbo (CHN)
- 2010: Bao Chunlai, Cai Yun, Chai Biao, Chen Jin, Chen Long, Fu Haifeng, Guo Zhendong, Lin Dan, Xu Chen, Zhang Nan (CHN)
- 2012: Cai Yun, Chai Biao, Chen Jin, Chen Long, Du Pengyu, Fu Haifeng, Guo Zhendong, Hong Wei, Lin Dan, Shen Ye (CHN)
- 2014: Hiroyuki Endo, Hirokatsu Hashimoto, Kenichi Hayakawa, Noriyasu Hirata, Takeshi Kamura, Kento Momota, Sho Sasaki, Keigo Sonoda, Kenichi Tago, Takuma Ueda (JPN)
- 2016: Kim Astrup, Viktor Axelsen, Mathias Boe, Mathias Christiansen, Mads Conrad-Petersen, Emil Holst, Jan Ø. Jørgensen, Mads Pieler Kolding, Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, Hans-Kristian Vittinghus (DEN)
- 2018: Chen Long, Li Junhui, Lin Dan, Liu Cheng, Liu Yuchen, Qiao Bin, Shi Yuqi, Wang Yilyu, Zhang Nan, Zheng Siwei (CHN)
- 2020: Mohammad Ahsan, Fajar Alfian, Muhammad Rian Ardianto, Leo Rolly Carnando, Jonatan Christie, Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo, Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Daniel Marthin, Shesar Hiren Rhustavito, Hendra Setiawan, Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA)
- 2022: Arjun M. R., Krishna Prasad Garaga, Dhruv Kapila, Srikanth Kidambi, Vishnuvardhan Goud Panjala, Prannoy H. S., Priyanshu Rajawat, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Lakshya Sen, Chirag Shetty (IND)