Ng Boon Bee
Malaysian badminton player (1937–2022)
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Dato' Ng Boon Bee DPTJ AMN (Chinese: 伍文美; pinyin: Wǔ Wénměi; 17 December 1937 – 3 August 2022) was a Malaysian badminton player who excelled from the 1960s through the early 1970s. His success in doubles earned him recognition as one of greatest doubles players in badminton history.[1]
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 17 December 1937 Ipoh, Perak, British Malaya | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 3 August 2022 (aged 84) Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 1960–1973 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | Malaysia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Badminton | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Handedness | Right | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event | Men's doubles & mixed doubles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Early life
Ng started to play badminton when he was ten years inspired by his badminton-playing father. He was the third child from five siblings. His first success in badminton came in 1955 when he became Perak schoolboy champ in the singles and doubles. A year later, he won the Perak junior. He also excelled in all types of sports beside badminton such as athletics, tennis, rugby, and playing association football at the national level. It was some time in 1961 that he finally decided to concentrate on badminton.[2]
Career
During the 1960s, Ng and his partner, Tan Yee Khan formed one of the most successful men's doubles teams of the decade, winning most of the sport's biggest titles including the coveted All England, Asian Games and Asian Championships.[3] Known for his quickness, power, and anticipation, Ng was a member of the Malaysian squad that won the 1967 Thomas Cup, in a 6–3 controversial victory over Indonesia at the Istora Senayan Stadium.[4]
After Yee Khan retired in 1969, Ng formed a successful partnership with Punch Gunalan. One of their biggest achievements was beating Indonesia's combination of Rudy Hartono/Indra Gunawan in the 1971 All-England final. There were other accomplishments too, including winning the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games and 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.[5]
Personal life
Ng was married to Tong Yee Cheng. Together they had 2 children – Gillian and Thomas. Thomas was named after the prestigious Thomas Cup.[6]
Death
On 3 August 2022, Ng died at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital due to aneurysm.[2]
Awards
- 1968 Malaysia's Sportsman of the Year[7]
- He was inducted into the World Badminton Hall of Fame in 1998.[8]
- Olympic Council of Malaysia's (OCM) Hall of Fame 2015.[9]
Honours
- Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (A.M.N.) (1972).[10]
- Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (PJN) – Datuk (2023).[11]
- Knight Commander of the Grand Order of Tuanku Ja’afar (D.P.T.J.) – Dato' (2008).[12]
Achievements
Olympic Games (demonstration)
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Volleyballhalle, Munich, West Germany |  Punch Gunalan |
 Ade Chandra Christian Hadinata |
4–15, 15–2, 11–15 |  Silver |
Commonwealth Games
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Convention Hall, Kingston, Jamaica | Tan Yee Khan |
Tan Aik Huang Yew Cheng Hoe |
14–15, 5–15 |  Silver |
| 1970 | Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland | Punch Gunalan |
Ng Tat Wai Tan Soon Hoi |
15–3, 15–3 |  Gold |
Asian Games
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Tan Yee Khan |
Liem Tjeng Kiang Tan Joe Hok |
15–13, 18–17 | Gold |
| 1966 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Tan Yee Khan |
Ang Tjin SiangTjoa Tjong Boan |
12–15, 15–8, 18–16 | Gold |
| 1970 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Punch Gunalan |
 Junji Honma Shoichi Toganoo |
5–15, 15–8, 15–7 | Gold |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Sylvia Ng |
 Bandid Jaiyen Achara Pattabongs |
18–13, 11–15, 15–10 | Gold |
Asian Championships
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Tan Yee Khan |
Lim Say Hup Teh Kew San |
15–9, 15–10 | Gold |
| 1969 | Rizal Stadium, Manila, Philippines | Punch Gunalan |
Yukinori Hori Ippei Kojima |
15–8, 5–15, 15–11 | Gold |
SEAP Games
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Aung San National Indoor Stadium, Rangoon, Burma | Tan Yee Khan |
Narong Bhornchima Raphi Kanchanaraphi |
15–8, 6–15, 15–10 | Gold |
| 1965 | Selangor Badminton Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Tan Yee Khan |
Narong Bhornchima Raphi Kanchanaraphi |
15–8, 15–11 | Gold |
| 1967 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Tan Yee Khan |
Narong Bhornchima Raphi Kanchanaraphi |
15–7, 15–8 | Gold |
| 1971 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Punch Gunalan |
Ho Khim Kooi Ng Tat Wai |
15–10, 15–10 | Gold |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Aung San National Indoor Stadium, Rangoon, Burma | Ng Mei Ling |
Raphi Kanchanaraphi Pankae Phongam |
18–14, 8–15, 9–15 | Silver |
| 1965 | Selangor Badminton Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Teh Siew Yong |
Tan Yee Khan Rosalind Singha Ang |
15–11, 15–5 | Gold |
| 1967 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Teh Siew Yong |
Chirasak Champakao Sumol Chanklum |
6–15, 10–15 |  Bronze |
| 1969 | Aung San National Indoor Stadium, Rangoon, Myanmar | Rosalind Singha Ang |
Yew Cheng Hoe Khaw Gaik Bee |
17–18, 18–17, retired | Gold |
| 1971 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Rosalind Singha Ang |
Ng Tat Wai Teh Mei Ling |
Walkover | Silver |
International tournaments
Men's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Malaysia Open | Tan Yee Khan |
George Yap Ong Poh Lim |
18–15, 15–3 |  Winner |
| 1962 | Malaysia Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Teh Kew San George Yap |
8–15, 4–15 |  Runner-up |
| 1963 | Malaysia Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Teh Kew San Lim Say Hup |
14–17, 15–9, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1963 | Singapore Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Teh Kew San George Yap |
15–11, 15–17, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1964 | Malaysia Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Teh Kew San Lim Say Hup |
15–7, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1964 | Singapore Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Tan Aik Huang Lim Say Hup |
15–12, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1965 | All England Open | Tan Yee Khan |
 Erland Kops Oon Chong Jin |
15–7, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1965 | Malaysia Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Khor Cheng Chye Lee Guan Chong |
15–4, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1965 | Singapore Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Khor Cheng Chye Lee Guan Chong |
15–8, 17–14 | Winner |
| 1966 | Denmark Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Tan Aik Huang Yew Cheng Hoe |
15–13, 15–10 | Winner |
| 1966 | All England Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Finn Kobberø Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen |
9–15, 15–9, 17–15 | Winner |
| 1966 | Canadian Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Svend Pri Yew Cheng Hoe |
12–15, 15–1, 17–14 | Winner |
| 1966 | U.S. Open | Tan Yee Khan |
 Don Paup Jim Poole |
15–6, 15–12 | Winner |
| 1967 | Singapore Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Indratno Mintarja |
15–3, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1967 | Denmark Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Svend Pri Per Walsøe |
8–15, 18–16, 17–15 | Winner |
| 1967 | Malaysia Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Indratno Mintarja |
15–9, 15–10 | Winner |
| 1968 | All England Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Henning Borch Erland Kops |
6–15, 4–15 | Runner-up |
| 1968 | Malaysia Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Ippei Kojima Issei Nichino |
11–15, 15–9, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1968 | Singapore Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Chavalert Chumkum Sangob Rattanusorn |
15–9, 15–1 | Winner |
| 1968 | German Open | Tan Yee Khan |
Chavalert Chumkum Sangob Rattanusorn |
15–9, 15–2 | Winner |
| 1969 | U.S. Open | Punch Gunalan |
Ippei Kojima Channarong Ratanaseangsuang |
15–3, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1969 | Singapore Pesta | Punch Gunalan |
Indratno Mintarja |
15–5, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1971 | Poona Open | Punch Gunalan |
Lee Kok Pheng Lim Shook Kong |
15–4, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1971 | German Open | Punch Gunalan |
 Roland Maywald Willi Braun |
15–12, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1971 | Denmark Open | Punch Gunalan |
Rudy Hartono Indra Gunawan |
11–15, 15–4, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1971 | All England | Punch Gunalan |
Rudy Hartono Indra Gunawan |
15–5, 15–3 | Winner |
| 1971 | Canadian Open | Punch Gunalan |
Raphi Kanchanaraphi Channarong Ratanaseangsuang |
15–10, 15–11 | Winner |
| 1971 | U.S. Open | Punch Gunalan |
Don Paup Jim Poole |
2–15, 18–13, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1972 | Denmark Open | Punch Gunalan |
Bandid Jaiyen Sangob Rattanusorn |
15–6, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1972 | Poona Open | Punch Gunalan |
Abdul Rahman Mohamad Ng Tat Wai |
10–15, 15–8, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1972 | German Open | Punch Gunalan |
 Elliot Stuart Derek Talbot |
15–9, 15–12 | Winner |
| 1972 | Singapore Open | Punch Gunalan |
Tan Aik Huang Tan Aik Mong |
11–15, retired | Runner-up |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Malaysia Open | Tan Gaik Bee |
Teh Kew San Ng Mei Ling |
11–15, 12–15 | Runner-up |
| 1966 | Canadian Open | Ulla Strand |
Don Paup Helen Tibbetts |
15–10, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1967 | Singapore Open | Rosalind Singha Ang |
Darmadi Minarni |
4–15, 5–15 | Runner-up |
| 1969 | Canadian Open | Retno Koestijah |
Darmadi Minarni |
5–15, 15–17 | Runner-up |
| 1970 | Singapore Open | Sylvia Ng |
Chirasak Champakao Pachara Pattabongse |
15–11, 15–12 | Winner |
| 1971 | Poona Open | Sylvia Ng |
 Joke van Beusekom Piet Ridder |
15–4, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1971 | Canadian Open | Sylvia Ng |
 Rolph Patterson Mimi Nilsson |
15–11, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1971 | Singapore Open | Sylvia Ng |
Thongkam Kingmanee Bandid Jaiyen |
15–6, 15–9 | Winner |
