Badminton Community Mourns the Passing of 40-Year-Old Australian Open Champion

We all have our favorite sporting personalities. And we admire several other sporting icons. So, it’s always heartbreaking to share the sad news, especially when a sporting legend passes away, leaving fans in grief. Unfortunately, we have to inform you that we have lost another sporting legend, this time from the world of Badminton.

A sporting legend gone too soon

On 4th August, the badminton world woke up to a shock when Malaysian Doubles star Gan Teik Chai passed away from a sudden heart attack. With this tragic news, we lost a charismatic player whose passion for the game knew no bounds. His untimely departure has left a void in the badminton community.

Gan Teik Chai had a wonderful career in badminton, partnering with players like Tan Bin Shen and Koo Kien Keat. They played amazingly together, inspiring many young talents. According to the experts of the game, his synchronization with Shen and Keat on the court was a sight to behold.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) expressed deep sadness upon hearing the news, and Gan’s childhood friend and badminton legend, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, shared a heartfelt message on social media, reminiscing about their cherished moments together.

Former World Number 1 Lee Chong Wei further wrote a long heartfelt tribute in a social media post. He shared how his bond grew stronger with Gan from from carefree childhood days to competitive tournaments, in both victories and defeats.

Remembering the generational talent and a joyful soul

Gan Teik Chai was more than just an amazing badminton player. He had a joyful spirit that brought happiness to everyone around him. His former partners Tan Bin Shen and Ng Hui Lin, also came forward to share their tributes for Chai. They shared that he was always there to support them through tough times and spent heartwarming moments with their family and kin.

Throughout his sporting career, Gan achieved many great victories that made his legacy unforgettable. He first showcased his prowess to the world when he won the French International title in 2004 and the Australian Open in 2009 with Tan Bin Shen.

Many Malayasian and American badminton fans came together on social media to pay their condolence. Several fans also talked about how he used to post Instagram stories daily and they will miss his humorous social media activities.

As we bid also farewell to Gan Teik Chai, his inspiring legacy will live on, motivating future generations of badminton athletes. We will always remember his passion, sportsmanship, and kindness.

Also Read: Lin Dan-Lee Chong Wei Lose to Nehwal and Sindhu

If you have followed Gan Teik Chai’s career, then would request you to share your favorite moment from his career as well. Let’s come together to celebrate the life of this exceptional badminton star.