Wong Peng Soon Badminton player
Wong Peng Soon, MBE (1918 – May 22, 1996) was an Ethnic Chinese badminton player who reigned as a top player in Malaya from the 1930s to the 1950s. Noted for his smooth but powerful strokes and graceful footwork, 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 contribution to the sport was recognized when was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). 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".
Personal facts
| Birth date | January 01, 1918 |
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| Date of death | May 22, 1996 |