Loh Kean Yew Upsets World No. 1 to Reach Badminton Asia Championships Semi-Finals

The Singaporean athlete defeated China's Shi Yu Qi in a three-game thriller, marking his first victory against the top seed since 2023.

Loh Kean Yew defeated world number 1 Shi Yu Qi 21-19, 13-21, 21-16 on April 11 to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the Badminton Asia Championships.
This victory marks Loh's first win against Shi since their 2023 French Open clash and highlights his ability to overcome higher-ranked opponents.
The Singaporean showcased resilience under pressure, recovering from an early deficit in the first game and dominating the decider with an 11-3 lead at the interval.
Loh remains Singapore's sole representative in the tournament after other compatriots were eliminated or withdrew earlier in the competition.
He is set to face Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the tournament's third seed, in the semi-finals, with Vitidsarn holding a 6-1 head-to-head record against Loh.