Wong Peng Soon

Infobox Badminton player
playername = Wong Peng Soon


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date_of_birth = 1918
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date_of_death = death date|1996|05|22
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country = MAS
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Wong Peng Soon (zh-sp|s=黄秉璇|p=Huáng Bǐngxuán) (born 1918; died May 221996 [http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/96/0607/feat8.html Asiaweek.com: Passage] ] ) was a badminton player who reigned as a top player in Singapore from the 1930s to the 1950s. He won the singles title seven times in Singapore and eight times in Malaya during this period, as well as being the top player in the Danish Open, the Indian Open, and the Philippines Open to name a few.

In 1950, he became the first Asian to win the All-England Championships, and won the title again in 1951, 1952, and 1955, earning him an international reputation as the "Great Wong". He also rose to victory as a member of the Thomas Cup team in 1948-49 and 1952, and for which he was captain of the team in 1955.

His contributions to the sport was recognised when was made a Member of the British Empire. In 1962, he made local history as the first and still the only sportsperson to date to be awarded the Sijil Kemuliaan (Certificate of Honour) by the Government of Singapore.

Three years following his death in 1996, at the age of 78, due to a pneumonia, the International Badminton Federation inducted him into its Hall of Fame in May 1999. Then chairman of the IBF, H R Ward, commented, that "Wong was one of the most remarkable players" and "had enhanced the sport through exceptional achievements".

Trivia

*He came from a family of nine brothers and seven sisters.
*He taught the Thai king how to play badminton
*His family stayed in big mansion in Jalan Ah Siang, Johor Bahru before he moved to Singapore.
*His granduncle is Wong Ah Fook, who was a good friend of Sultan Abu Bakar and built the Istana Johor Bahru for him.

References

External links

* [http://www.sportsmuseum.ssc.gov.sg/museum/ssm_heros_profile2e9a.html?type=6&artid=377&root=28&cat=29 Hall of Fame - Wong Peng Soon]