Loh Kean Yew loses to Kunlavut Vitidsarn in Badminton Asia Championships semi-finals

SINGAPORE – Once again, Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn proved to be a major stumbling block for Loh Kean Yew, as the Singaporean was beaten 23-21, 21-10 by his arch nemesis in the Badminton Asia Championships semi-finals on April 12.

Kunlavut Vitidsarn’s seventh consecutive victory over Loh Kean Yew not only extended his winning streak, which began in 2021, but also brought an end to Loh’s promising run at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China.

Just a day ago, world No. 17 Loh had

stunned China’s top-ranked Shi Yuqi in the quarter-finals

.

Loh, 27, said: “Kunlavut had better control of the wind and shuttle condition today, especially in the second game.

“Overall I think I did well for this tournament but there are also a lot of areas to work on and to improve. I’ll go back and reflect, and work hard again with (national singles head) coach Kim (Ji-hyun) to prepare for the next tournament.”

Despite their on-court rivalry, the duo are friends and had trained together at the Banthongyod Badminton School in Thailand with other players ahead of the Asian championships.

In the clash of former world champions, Loh started strong at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium, showing the same sharpness that gave him an edge over Shi. He found his rhythm early and surged 7-2 ahead, but a composed Kunlavut responded to level the score at 9-9.

Even as Loh surged ahead to 14-11, Kunlavut refused to let the game slip away and clawed back to claim a 16-15 lead. At 18-15 down, Loh managed to level the score and halt the Thai world No. 5’s momentum, but despite saving two game points, the latter edged the opener 23-21.

A pep talk with his coach worked a treat for Kunlavut, who was sharper and more decisive in the second game.

His clinical smashes and deft placements put Loh under constant pressure, and errors began to creep into the Singaporean’s game.

Trailing 15-5, Loh briefly rallied with four consecutive points (17-9), but the deficit was too large to overcome. Kunlavut secured his seventh straight win over Loh in 52 minutes, advancing to the final on April 13 against China’s Lu Guangzu, who defeated teammate Li Shifeng 19-21, 21-10, 21-14.

Loh, the 2021 world champion and silver medallist at the 2023 Asia Championships, secured a joint-bronze medal. His next tournament appearance will be at the Taipei Open, which will be held from May 6 to 11.

National singles head coach Kim said: “Honestly, he was playing amazing badminton in the first game but he made an attacking mistake at the critical point of 21-20, which allowed Kunlavut to clinch that game. In the second game, he lost his focus and made too many mistakes.

“We have to keep working on controlling that on-off switch in the next few tournaments and be more consistent.

“We will keep improving on Kean Yew’s net skills and overall fitness so that he can last the distance in three-game matches.”

This is Loh’s second semi-final appearance in eight events in 2025. At the German Open in March, he qualified for the final, before losing to two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen.

Kim added: “It is important that Kean Yew rediscovers the love for playing badminton. I was telling him to enjoy the match because he has been working very hard at the training camp in Thailand and to now live in the moment.

“He has given everything he’s got in this tournament getting to the bronze medal and I am proud of that achievement.”