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Quick Facts
Biography
Ng Boon Bee (Chinese: 伍文美; pinyin: Wǔ Wénměi; born 17 December 1937) is a former badminton player from Malaysia 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.
Early life
He started to play badminton when he was 10 years inspired by his badminton-playing father. 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 football and even playing at the national level. It was some time in 1961 that he finally decided to concentrate on badminton.
Career
During the 1960s, Boon Bee 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. Known for his quickness, power, and anticipation, Boon Bee 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.
After Yee Khan retired in 1969, Boon Bee 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.
Achievements
with Tan Yee Khan
- 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968 Malaysia Open champion
- 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968 Singapore Open champion
- 1966 Canadian Open champion
- 1966 US Open champion
- 1966, 1967 Denmark Open champion
- 1968 German Open champion
with Punch Gunalan
- 1969, 1971 US Open champion
- 1971 Canadian Open champion
- 1971, 1972 Denmark Open champion
- 1971, 1972 German Open champion
Awards
- 1968 Malaysia's Sportsman of the Year
- Ahli Mangku Negara in 1972
- He was inducted into the World Badminton Hall of Fame in 1998.
- Darjah Dato’ Paduka Tuanku Ja’afar (DPTJ) which carries the title Dato' during the investiture ceremony in conjunction with the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Ja’afar’s 86th birthday in 2008.
- Olympic Council of Malaysia’s (OCM) Hall of Fame 2015.
- "» Anugerah Sukan Negara Majlis Sukan Negara Malaysia | National Sports Council of Malaysia". www.nsc.gov.my. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
- "Bahagian Istiadat dan Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa". www.istiadat.gov.my. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
- "BWF Hall of fame members".
- "Former doubles ace Boon Bee receives Datukship - Other Sports | The Star Online". Retrieved 2016-07-08.
- "Thomas Cup teams among new inductees into OCM Hall of Fame - Badminton | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
Personal life
Boon Bee is the third child from five siblings. He married to Tong Yee Cheng. Together they had 2 children - Gillian and Thomas. Thomas was named after the prestigious Thomas Cup.