Paris, France – August 29, 2025 – Singapore’s medal hopes at the 2025 BWF World Championships came to a heartbreaking close today in Paris, as national shuttler Loh Kean Yew was defeated in the quarterfinals by Canadian upstart Victor Lai. The 22-20, 21-18 loss not only marked the end of Loh’s campaign but also concluded Singapore’s participation, with Loh being the country’s sole representative to reach the last eight.
For Loh, the 2021 World Champion, the defeat to the unseeded Lai was an unexpected turn after a promising run through the tournament’s earlier rounds. His journey began with a commanding performance against Mauritius’ Julien Paul, securing a straightforward 21-15, 21-12 victory in the first round.
He followed that up with another strong win against Finland’s Kalle Koljonen, the 2021 European Championships bronze medallist, prevailing 21-14, 21-14. These victories set up a highly anticipated third-round clash against his long-time rival, Japan’s Kodai Naraoka.
The match against Naraoka was a true test of grit and resilience. After a poor start that saw Loh lose the first game 5-21, he mounted a stunning comeback. Displaying the tenacity and fighting spirit that earned him the world title four years ago, Loh battled back to win two consecutive games, 21-19 and 21-19. The victory not only sent him into the quarterfinals but also extended his impressive head-to-head record against Naraoka to 7-0.
However, Loh’s aspirations of adding another World Championships medal to his collection were ultimately thwarted by Victor Lai. The young Canadian, who had already caused a stir by defeating the 11th seed Lu Guangzu in the second round, delivered a poised and powerful performance. Lai’s consistent and controlled play kept Loh on the back foot, leading to a nail-biting encounter. Despite Loh’s best efforts to close the gap, Lai’s composure in the decisive moments of both games allowed him to secure the victory, 22-20, 21-18.
This landmark win for Lai makes him the first Canadian to ever win a medal at the BWF World Championships, a historic moment that echoes Loh Kean Yew’s own achievement in 2021. For Singapore, while the tournament concludes without a medal, Loh’s campaign showcased his continued ability to compete with the world’s best, reaffirming his status as a formidable force in men’s singles badminton.