PENANG, Dec 21 (Sin Chew Daily) — Born in Penang, Loh Kean Yew won the first world badminton championship for Singapore.

His parents, Loh Pin Keat and Grace Gan Saw Ai, celebrated Kean Yew’s victory back home.

Kean Yew, 24, ranked world’s No 22, beat India’s K. Srikanth 21-15, 22-20 in the final to win the BWF World Championships title in Huelva, Spain, on Sunday to be the world champion for the first time for himself, and Singapore.

His parents were glued in front of the television to watch the finals.

Both were so excited that they hugged each other after Kean Yew won, and were tremendously proud of Kean Yew’s achievement.

Kean Yew studied at SJKC Han Chiang, Penang. At the age of 13, he received a scholarship from the Singapore Badminton Association to study at Singapore Sports School.

Kean Yew stunned many by defeating China’s Lin Dan in Thailand Masters in 2019.

Loh, a construction site manager and his wife Gan said Kean Yew’s hard work had paid off.

They were wearing the T-shirts Kean Yew had given them with the words “Loh KY Singapore” while watching him in the finals.

Kean Yew’s elder brother is also another national badminton player for Singapore.