Malaysian Games 2013: Crowd rallies for badminton underdog

AS the crowd rallied for the underdog at the Malaysian Games 2013 badminton competition last Saturday, Yi Lei Goh discovers sport isn’t all about winning. 

Photo: Wan Shing Lang

Winning isn’t as important as trying your very best.

The sentiment was reflected in badminton enthusiast Hubert Ng’s participation in this year’s Malaysian Games badminton tournament at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre last Saturday.

Despite regularly playing badminton at the University of Melbourne’s Sports Centre and giving it his all during the competition, Hubert was simply outclassed by his younger and more agile opponent, last year’s ASEAN Australia Games badminton men’s singles champion Daniel Wu in the men’s singles match. No matter where he sent the shuttlecock, Daniel would always be there.

Photo: Wan Shing Lang

Still, Hubert’s good nature and sportsmanship garnered him a number of supporters who were sad to see him eliminated.

Ultimately, the title went to Joseph Leong after he beat Daniel and ASEAN Australia Games 2012 badminton men’s singles runner-up Bryan Gui.

Photo: Wan Shing Lang

Daniel and Bryan were crowned the men’s doubles champions though after a fiercely contested final (21–17, 15–21, 21–14) against Darren Teoh and Terry Ng.

The women’s doubles title went to Phui Joan Lai and Ye Jia Lim following their impressive 21–7, 21–10 win in final, while siblings Zheng Roy Gan and Ee Laine Gan were the mixed doubles champions.