Wikipedia / Teh Kew San
Wikipedia / Teh Kew San
Datuk Teh Kew San (郑求山) (26 January 1935 – 14 May 2026) was a Malaysian badminton player who won national and international titles from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s.
Career
An "all-rounder" (player competitive in all three events: singles, doubles, and mixed doubles), his greatest successes came in men's doubles with Lim Say Hup. They won a number of major international tournaments on three continents, most notably the prestigious All-England title in 1959. Kew San's singles titles included the Mexico City International in 1960 and the Asian Championship in 1962. Known for his agility and deft racket work, he was a member of four consecutive Malayan/Malaysian Thomas Cup teams (1958, 1961, 1964, 1967), captaining the last which captured the world team title.
Personal life and death
Teh was born in Colony of Penang, Straits Settlements, Malaya on 26 January 1935. He married his national mixed doubles partner, Ng Mei Ling and they had two children, a son (Thomas) and a daughter (Karen).
On 14 May 2026, Teh died due to complications from a urinary tract infection. He was 91.
Achievements
Asian Games
Men's singles
Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
9–15, 3–15 | Silver |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
Eddy Choong Tan Gaik Bee | 18–13, 11–15, 15–5 | Gold |
Asian Championships
Men's singles
Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
7–15, 15–1, 15–10 | Gold |
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
9–15, 10–15 | Silver |
Southeast Asian Peninsular Games
Men's singles
Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
Walkover | Bronze |
International tournaments
Men's singles
Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
1958 | 9–15, 4–15 | Runner-up | ||
1959 | Malaysia Open | Charoen Wattanasin | 11–15, 12–15 | Runner-up |
1960 | 15–7, 15–7 | Winner | ||
1963 | 11–15, 15–3, 15–1 | Winner |
Men's doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
1957 | 15–2, 15–5 | Winner | |||
Lim Say Hup | 15–12, 15–10 | Winner | |||
1959 | Lim Say Hup | 10–15, 15–13, 15–13 | Winner | ||
1959 | Lim Say Hup | 15–5, 15–3 | Winner | ||
1959 | Malaya Open | Lim Say Hup | 15–11, 15–9 | Winner | |
All England | Lim Say Hup | 17–14, 3–15, 1–15 | Runner-up | ||
1960 | Lim Say Hup | Joe Alston Manuel Armendariz | 15–7, 15–4 | Winner | |
1960 | Malaya Open | Lim Say Hup | 6–15, 15–11, 15–6 | Winner | |
1960 | Canada Open | Lim Say Hup | Charoen Wattanasin Ferry Sonneville | 15–8, 15–8 | Winner |
1962 | Malaya Open | 15–8, 15–4 | Winner | ||
1963 | Malaya Open | Lim Say Hup | Ng Boon Bee Tan Yee Khan | 17–14, 9–15, 7–15 | Runner-up |
1963 | George Yap | Ng Boon Bee Tan Yee Khan | 11–15, 17–15, 6–15 | Runner-up | |
1964 | Malaysia Open | Lim Say Hup | Ng Boon Bee Tan Yee Khan | 7–15, 7–15 | Runner-up |
1966 | Penang Open | 15–0, 15–0 | Winner |
Mixed doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
1962 | 15–11, 15–12 | Winner | |||
1965 | Malaysia Open | Ng Mei Ling | 15–10, 15–7 | Winner | |
1968 | Malaysia Open | Ng Mei Ling | 17–18, 13–15 | Runner-up |
Invitational Tournaments
Men's singles
Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
1959 | 1–15, 7–15 | Silver |
Men's doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
1959 | 15–13, 18–15 | Gold |
Honours
Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (AMN) (1968).
Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (PJN) – Datuk (2023).
References