Foo Kok Keong

Datuk Foo Kok Keong (born 8 January 1963) is a former badminton player from Malaysia who rated among the world's best singles players from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s. He competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Career Not a stylish looking player, he was noted for his quickness, stamina, and never-say-die tenacity. Kok Keong played for the Malaysian Thomas Cup (men's international) team which finished second to China in 1990, and for the team which defeated Indonesia for the world championship in 1992.

His victories in individual competitions included the Singapore Open and French Open singles titles in 1990, and the Asian Championships singles title in 1994. He was a runner-up in the Malaysia Open (1990, 1991), the British Commonwealth Games (1990), the World Grand Prix Final (1989), and the All-England Championships (1991).

In 1991, Foo Kok Keong became the first Malaysian to reach the number 1 world ranking since the system was implemented by the International Badminton Federation (IBF) in the 80's.

Achievements

World Cup Men's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result 1989 Guangzhou Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China Yang Yang 14–17, 6–15 Silver Silver 1992 Guangdong Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China Joko Suprianto 12–15, 2–15 Bronze Bronze

Asian Championships Men's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result 1991 Cheras Indoor Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Rashid Sidek 15–4, 11–15, 2–15 Silver Silver 1992 Cheras Indoor Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Rashid Sidek 9–15, 3–15 Silver Silver 1994 Shanghai Gymnasium, Shanghai, China Liu Jun 15–13, 9–15, 15–3 Gold Gold

Southeast Asian Games Men's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result 1987 Kuningan Hall, Jakarta, Indonesia Icuk Sugiarto 6–15, 4–15 Bronze Bronze 1989Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Icuk Sugiarto 12–15, 5–15 Bronze Bronze 1991 Camp Crame Gymnasium, Manila, Philippines Ardy Wiranata 4–15, 10–15 Bronze Bronze

Commonwealth Games Men's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result 1990 Auckland Badminton Hall, Auckland, New Zealand Rashid Sidek 8–15, 10–15 Silver Silver

IBF World Grand Prix The World Badminton Grand Prix sanctioned by International Badminton Federation (IBF) from 1983 to 2006.

Men's singles Year Tournament Opponent Score Result 1989 Japan Open Yang Yang 2–15, 10–15 Runner-up 1989 Hong Kong Open Wu Wenkai 11–15, 11–15 Runner-up 1989 World Grand Prix Finals Xiong Guobao 11–15, 7–15 Runner-up 1990 French Open Rashid Sidek 15–11, 18–13 Winner 1990 Malaysia Open Rashid Sidek 17–18, 6–15 Runner-up 1990 Singapore Open Zhao Jianhua 15–8, 10–15, 15–9 Winner1991 All England Open Ardy Wiranata 12–15, 10–15 Runner-up 1991 Malaysia Open Rashid Sidek 4–15, 5–15 Runner-up

IBF International Men's singles Year Tournament Opponent Score Result 1990 Australian Open Ardy Wiranata 9–15, 12–15 Runner-up

Invitational tournament Men's singles Year Tournament Venue Opponent Score Result 1988 Asian Invitational Championships Bandar Lampung, Indonesia Xiong Guobao 9–15, 5–15 Silver Silver

Honours