Men's Doubles national champions Howin Wong and Loh Kean Hean discuss winning the National Open Championships, their new pairing, and things they love about the Singapore Sports Hub
This is a feature article written by SportPlus.sg for Kallang Alive Sports Management. For more sports events, programmes and human stories of Singapore Sports Hub, visit the Singapore Sports Hub's 'Here to Play' website.
They may be six years and a world of playing experience apart, but Team Singapore shuttlers Loh Kean Hean and Howin Wong form a formidable men’s doubles pair. The duo, who recently paired up last year after the Paris Olympics, were crowned as National Champions in January when they emerged victorious in the Men’s Doubles at the National Open Championships held at the OCBC Arena.
Despite being second seeded, the pair went up against top seeds Wesley Koh and Kubo Junsuke in the finals and bounced back after losing the first set, to dig deep and claw their way to victory taking the second and third sets.
“We didn’t expect to win because the competitors were very strong, especially with Wesley and Kubo as well as Donovan (Willard Wee) playing very well,” shared Loh.
“I was thrilled because it’s been a while since I’ve won a title. Even though it was just the National Championships which is a local competition, it still means a lot,” he reflected.
In the 2023 edition of the National Championships, Wong—then partnering Junsuke—were crowned as the men’s doubles national champion.
“Oh yes, you’re the defending champion!” laughed Loh as the two sat side-by-side in the interview, throwing banter in a natural show of rapport shared between the two.
Despite taking top spot last year, Wong did not expect to retain his title this time around.
“I never expected to become the National Champion but as we progressed, our games got tighter and tighter in terms of results. In both the semi finals and the finals, we were losing in the third set but we caught up and won. That was my most memorable experience,” gushed the 23-year-old.
Thriving Under the Roar of the Home Crowd
For Loh, who has won the National Open Championships a total of three times now, nothing quite beats the feeling of playing on home ground, especially at the Singapore Badminton Open (SBO). The BWF World Tour Super 750 event graces the Singapore Indoor Stadium every year, featuring the world’s top badminton players.
“I’ve played in quite a lot of editions since I was young but I think my best performance was in 2022 with Terry (Hee). We made it to the quarter finals,” recounted Loh.
“I think Covid had kind of just lifted so the crowd was much bigger. The marketing and everything that year was done really well. It was fascinating for me, because the seats were all filled and the crowd was cheering for us. That feeling, to be cheered for by a home crowd that big, was just amazing.”
With over 10 years of experience, Loh knows all too well however, that pursuing greatness comes with great responsibility.
“Playing in front of home support does feel a little stressful because there’s a higher expectation that weighs on you. Eventually though, the support flows through you and it becomes motivation for you to do better. It builds your confidence.”
Though Wong has yet to make his SBO debut, watching his seniors on the court surrounded by the noise of the fans serves as fuel for him to grow as a player and to dream bigger.
A Place to Call Home Beyond Sports
With the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on the horizon, Wong will definitely be making at least one debut this year, as he’s set to travel to Thailand to compete against the best in the region.
“I’ve never played at the SEA Games before so this will be my first time participating. I hope that I can get at least a bronze medal in the team as well as the individual event. Leading up to it, I’ll have to train even harder and learn from my previous competitions,” he shared.
The duo are currently training at the OCBC Arena, where Singapore’s shuttlers have been training since they moved in 2016. With national athletes across a multitude of sports calling Sports Hub home, both Loh and Wong see the shared space as an opportunity to learn from others.
“We get to see how athletes from different sports push through their obstacles. As we learn and grow together, we grow a community that portrays the image of Sports Hub,” Loh emphasised.
The various local and international events hosted at The Hub have all contributed to creating lasting memories for the duo, who spend much of their time in the area. For Wong, who primarily watches badminton and not as much into other sports, the world-class international shuttlers at the SBO inspire him the most.
It's not just the sportsmen though who’ve left an impact on him and his time at the Singapore Sports Hub. Growing up listening to Emil Chau under the influence of his older brother, Wong was left in awe as he watched the timeless Taiwanese sensation grace the Singapore Indoor Stadium in the flesh.
“My brother liked to listen to older songs and one of his favourites was Zhou Hua Jian (Emil Chau). He would sometimes sing his songs too so that’s how it began for me. It felt amazing because the Singapore Indoor Stadium is huge and it was filled. The vibe was amazing because he loves communicating with the fans.”
Listening to his doubles partner share his story, Loh nodded in understanding, fully attuned to how much watching one of your favorite acts could mean and the emotional impact it could have beyond just the concert itself.
“My most memorable concert here has got to be Coldplay at the National Stadium,” he recalled.
“My girlfriend was battling a health condition at the time and she wasn’t supposed to be in crowded places, but she felt better so we decided to go. At the concert, there was a fan that went on stage and shared that a relative—if I remember correctly—had just recovered from a health condition and it meant a lot. It was such a spiritual and emotional experience that has never left my memory ever since.”
Inspiring Future Generations
Howin Wong and Loh Kean Hean won’t be the only athletes who will be inspired by unique and unforgettable experiences at the Sports Hub.
As part of the Kallang Alive masterplan, soon, generations of future athletes will have the chance to encounter the same magic experienced by Loh and Wong. Amidst plans for the new Singapore Sports School to be shifted to the Singapore Sports Hub alongside the national training centers, Wong—who attended Singapore Sports School—believes the move will have a positive impact on the local sports scene.
“Singapore Sports School was where we transitioned from secondary school to being a full fledged athlete and training at the Sports Hub. So, if Sports School is moved to Sports Hub, it’ll be easier to adapt to the facilities,” he explained.
“It’ll be a better environment for them to train in. All the secondary school students and full time athletes will train together so that’ll inspire the juniors.”
With Loh believing that efficiently run logistics and a well-maintained infrastructure as key to keeping the flame alive in Singapore sports, it is important for the Singapore Sports Hub continues to build on its pivotal role in inspiring a new generation of athletes. From here, the only way is up. #mySgSportsHub #SgBadminton #TeamSingapore