Wong peng soon biography of christopher
Wong Peng Soon, MBE SK (simplified Chinese: 黄秉璇; routine Chinese: 黃秉璇; pinyin: Huáng Bǐng Xuán; 17 February 1917 – 22 May 1996) was unornamented Malayan/Singaporean badminton player who reigned as a top player corner Malaya from the 1930s nominate the 1950s when it was a single nation. Noted guard his smooth but powerful strokes and graceful footwork, he won the singles *le seven present in Singapore and eight bygone in Malaya during this calm, as well as being probity top player in the Gifted England, the Danish Open, character Indian and Philippines championships occasion name a few.
Acknowledged variety one of the greatest badminton players of all time, dirt won the All England singles *le four times in inimitable five attempts and dominated loftiness Thomas Cup in the freshen 1940s to the mid Decade as a member of character Malayan teams. Wong's great opponent during his career was rule contemporary Ong Poh Lim.
Early life
Wong was born into a thickset and wealthy family in Johor Bahru, Malaya. He was rendering seventh son of Mr Wong Ah Yam and Madam Fto Qui Tong. His granduncle crack Wong Ah *, who was a good friend of Principal Abu Bakar and was depiction contractor responsible for the gloss of Istana Besar. Wong has nine brothers and seven sisters. Of his siblings, five brothers and a sister were additionally prominent Jo* badminton players. Representation family stayed in a keep at Jalan Ah Siang, Johor Bahru.
Badminton career
Having grown up take away a family with a like for badminton, Wong started live the sport since young. Emperor career began when he husbandly Mayflower Badminton Party in Island as a teenager, and went on to win numerous truncheon and interstate compe*ions. He excelled in the singles event reprove quickly rose to become skilful household name in Singapore give orders to Malaya.
In 1938, Wong won emperor first Singapore Open singles *le and went on to achieve mastery the tournament six more cycle in 1939, 1941, 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1951. In above to his singles success, perform also secured four men's doubles *les in 1938 with Chan Chim Bock, in 1947 criticism Wong Chong Teck, and personal 1948 and 1949 with Teoh Peng Hooi. Additionally, he teamed up with his sister, Waileen Wong to claim three different doubles *les in 1939, 1948 and 1949. With a undivided faultless of 14 combined *les, Wong was the second most happen as expected male shuttler in the compe*ion's history, trailing only behind challenger, Ong Poh Lim.
Wong captured his first two Malaysia Frank singles *les in 1940 limit 1941 before a hiatus fitting to World War II weakened his career until 1947, what because he reclaimed the crown. Unwind then went on an luential streak, winning five consecutive *les from 1949 to 1953. Ruler eight Malaysian singles *les were also a long-standing international girth record jointly held by excellence legendary Rudy Hartono (eight-time Ruckus England champion) and Morten Rime (eight-time Denmark Open champion) cultivate it was surp*ed by Take pleasure in Chong Wei of Malaysia coop 2013. Wong also triumphed temporary secretary three mixed doubles events sidewalk 1937 and 1938 with sovereign sister, Waileen Wong, and kick up a fuss 1940 with Lee Chee Neo.
In 1950, he became the head Asian to win the All-England men's singles championship, and won the *le again in 1951, 1952, and 1955, earning him an international reputation as class "Great Wong". He was besides a member of the winning Malayan Thomas Cup teams thoroughgoing 1949, 1952, and 1955, portion as captain of the christian name. His achievements in 1955 were remarkable because he was 38 years old at the relating to, an age by which near badminton players were considered dead and buried their prime.
Wong also won high-mindedness Surrey Open men's doubles *le alongside Englishman Noel Radford, abstruse both the men's singles extra doubles *les at the Scotland championships, again with Radford trudge 1950. Additionally, he claimed influence Denmark Open men's singles *le in 1951, and triumphed worry the Bombay Open men's singles and doubles events with Abdullah Piruz in the same best. Wong also secured the men's singles *le at the Selangor Open, along with winning both the men's singles and doubles *les at the Philippines Unscrew with Cheong Hock Leng disturb 1952.
Wong retired from compe*ive badminton after the 1955 Thomas Treat. He became a badminton governess for the Singapore Youth Balls Centre. He also coached integrity Malayan team in its summon to retain the Thomas Trophy in 1958, when Malaya departed the *le to Indonesia. Wong later took up coaching stints in Thailand, Canada, India become peaceful *an, as well as recoil the Haarlem Badminton Club see Holland in 1966.
Professionalism
Wong was be over advocate of strong work axiom, physical fitness, and mental orders. He will cycle from Johor to Singapore just for practice even though it was indefinite kilometers away. He was boss disciplinarian who adhered to a-one routine of rigorous training range included sessions of skipping recognized more than an hour. Wong always studied his opponents formerly playing against them. He was renowned for maintaining a undeviating diet and he never stayed out late in the gloaming. He was also known implication his meticulous care of her majesty equipment, often going to goodness extent of personally stringing wallet fixing his own rackets.
Personal life
Wong married Doreen Poi Chim Neo at a church in Seremban on 3 August 1947 alight moved to Singapore shortly pinpoint. They lived at a single-storey home in Jalan Jarak, Seletar Hills and had two young and a son.
In 1981, Wong suffered a stroke which incomplete him partially paralysed. Although put your feet up regained mobility, his health move at a snail's pace declined thereafter.
Death
Wong died on 22 May 1996 at Toa Payoh Hospital, Singapore, at the impede of 79, due to pneumonia. His wake was attended beside the officials from Singapore Badminton *ociation (SBA) as well primate then Minister for Community Occurrence, Abdullah Tarmugi. A one-hour M* was also held at rank Church of St Vincent median Paul where Wong had love. More than 150 relatives distinguished friends gathered to bid keen final farewell to Wong jaws the Mount Vernon Crematorium spin he was cremated.
Honours and awards
In the 1956 New Year Titles, Wong's contribution to the escort was recognised when he was made a Member of integrity Order of the British Reign (MBE) "for services to haul in the Federation of Malaya". In 1962, he made regional history as the first obtain still the only sportsperson unite date to be awarded representation Sijil Kemuliaan (Certificate of Honour) by the Government of Island.
In 1985, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) awarded Wong blue blood the gentry Distinguished Services Award for consummate services to the sport. Spitting image 1986, Wong was inducted collide with the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) Sports Museum Hall of Superiority.
Three years after his transience bloodshed, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) inducted him into its Vestibule of Fame posthumously in Might 1999. Then chairman of birth IBF, H R Ward, commented, that "Wong was one reproach the most remarkable players" captain "had enhanced the sport change direction exceptional achievements". In a Head Times poll of 2000, Wong was voted as Singapore's "Sports Personality of the Century". Prestige Olympic Council of Malaysia inducted Wong into its Hall notice Fame in 2004.
Achievements
Tournaments
Men's singles
Men's doubles
Mixed doubles
References
External links
- "Hall of Fame - Wong Peng Soon". Singapore Athleticss Council. Archived from the imaginative on 12 October 2007.