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Key Information

Cheah Soon Kit
Traditional Chinese謝順吉
Simplified Chinese谢顺吉
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinXiè Shùnjí
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingZe6 Seon6 Gat1
Southern Min
Hokkien POJChiā Sūn-kiat

Datuk Cheah Soon Kit (Current name: Chinese: 謝勛寁; Jyutping: Ze6 Fan1 Zaam2; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chiā Hun-chám / Birth name: Chinese: 謝順吉; Jyutping: Ze6 Seon6 Gat1; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chiā Sūn-kiat) PMW KMN BSD (born 9 January 1968) is a former Malaysian badminton player and coach.[1]

Career

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Soon Kit was won the Olympic silver with Yap Kim Hock in Atlanta 1996.[2] Before combining with Kim Hock, Soon Kit’s partner was Soo Beng Kiang and they won numerous international titles, including the 1992 and 1994 World Cup.[3] He was also a vital member of the Malaysian squad that won the Thomas Cup for the first time in 25 years, in a 3-2 victory over Indonesia at the Stadium Negara in 1992.[4]

Coaching

[edit]

Soon Kit was the national women’s doubles coach from 2001 to 2007.[5] He groomed Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui into the country’s top pair. Pei Tty-Eei Hui bagged the SEA Games gold in Manila in 2005 to end a 30-year title drought. They also won the gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.[6] After becoming the head coach for several minor badminton clubs, Soon Kit rejoined the national set-up in 2016 before heading the men’s doubles department in 2017 and was instrumental in grooming the current Malaysia No.1 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik. He left the national setup at the end of 2018.[7]

Achievements

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Olympic Games

[edit]

Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1996 GSU Sports Arena, Atlanta, United States Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		15–5, 13–15, 12–15 Silver

World Championships

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Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1993 National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Rudy Gunawan
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		11–15, 3–15 Silver Silver
1995 Malley Sports Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		8–15, 6–15 Bronze Bronze
1997 Scotstoun Centre, Glasgow, Scotland Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Sigit Budiarto
Indonesia Candra Wijaya 		15–8, 17–18, 7–15 Silver Silver

World Cup

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Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1990 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Eddy Hartono
Indonesia Rudy Gunawan 		13–18, 13–18 Bronze Bronze
1992 Guangdong Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		15–10, 15–11 Gold Gold
1993 Indira Gandhi Arena, New Delhi, India Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		9–15, 11–15 Bronze Bronze
1994 Phan Đình Phùng Indoor Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Rudy Gunawan
Indonesia Bambang Suprianto 		18–13, 2–15, 17–16 Gold Gold
1995 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		13–18, 9–15 Bronze Bronze
1996 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Denny Kantono
Indonesia Antonius Ariantho 		11–15, 15–3, 13–15 Bronze Bronze

Commonwealth Games

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Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1990 Auckland Badminton Hall, Auckland, New Zealand Malaysia Rashid Sidek Malaysia Jalani Sidek
Malaysia Razif Sidek 		8–15, 8–15 Silver Silver
1994 McKinnon Gym, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang England Simon Archer
England Chris Hunt 		15–10, 15–9 Gold Gold
1998 Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Malaysia Choong Tan Fook
Malaysia Lee Wan Wah 		7–15, 4–15 Silver Silver

Asian Games

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Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1994 Tsuru Memorial Gymnasium, Hiroshima, Japan Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		10–15, 2–15 Silver Silver

Asian Championships

[edit]

Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1991 Cheras Indoor Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang South Korea Park Joo-bong
South Korea Kim Moon-soo 		7–15, 7–15 Bronze Bronze
1995 Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium, Beijing, China Malaysia Yap Kim Hock China Huang Zhanzhong
China Jiang Xin 		7–15, 15–8, 15–7 Gold Gold
1999 Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia Yap Kim Hock China Zhang Jun
China Zhang Wei 		16–17, 8–15 Bronze Bronze

Asian Cup

[edit]

Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1991 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		17–16, 15–5 Gold Gold
1994 Beijing Gymnasium, Beijing, China Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		8–15, 7–15 Silver Silver
1995 Xinxing Gymnasium, Qingdao, China Malaysia Yap Kim Hock China Huang Zhanzhong
China Jiang Xin 		10–15, 11–15 Silver Silver

Southeast Asian Games

[edit]

Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1991 Camp Crame Gymnasium, Manila, Philippines Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Eddy Hartono
Indonesia Rudy Gunawan 		7–15, 3–15 Bronze Bronze
1993 Singapore Badminton Hall, Singapore Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		15–7, 11–15, 15–7 Gold Gold
1995 Gymnasium 3, 700th Anniversary Sport Complex,
Chiang Mai, Thailand 		Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		15–13, 15–9 Gold Gold

Mixed doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1989 Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia Tan Sui Hoon Indonesia Aryono Miranat
Indonesia Minarti Timur 		14–18, 1–15 Bronze Bronze

IBF World Grand Prix

[edit]

The World Badminton Grand Prix sanctioned by International Badminton Federation (IBF) from 1983 to 2006.

Men's doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result
1990 World Grand Prix Finals Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Rudy Gunawan
Indonesia Eddy Hartono 		6–15, 8–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1991 Chinese Taipei Open Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Malaysia Jalani Sidek
Malaysia Razif Sidek 		7–15, 5–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1991 Swedish Open Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Denmark Jon Holst-Christensen
Denmark Thomas Lund 		18–14, 15–7 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1991 Thailand Open Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Rudy Gunawan
Indonesia Eddy Hartono 		3–15, 11–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1992 Chinese Taipei Open Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Malaysia Jalani Sidek
Malaysia Tan Kim Her 		15–7, 15–4 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1992 Malaysia Open Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang China Chen Hongyong
China Chen Kang 		15–12, 15–7 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1992 Canada Open Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang South Korea Ahn Jae-chang
South Korea Choi Ji-tae 		15–4, 15–4 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1992 US Open Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Denmark Thomas Lund
Sweden Jens Olsson 		15–9, 15–11 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1992 World Grand Prix Finals Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		11–15, 6–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1993 Chinese Taipei Open Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Imay Hendra
Indonesia Bagus Setiadi 		15–3, 15–12 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1993 Malaysia Open Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		7–15, 5–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1993 Dutch Open Malaysia Soo Beng Kiang China Jiang Xin
China Yu Qi 		15–4, 17–14 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1995 Malaysia Open Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Thailand Pramote Teerawiwatana
Thailand Sakrapee Thongsari 		15–5, 12–15, 5–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1995 Thailand Open Malaysia Yap Kim Hock China Huang Zhanzhong
China Jiang Xin 		9–15, 11–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1995 World Grand Prix Finals Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Rudy Gunawan
Indonesia Bambang Suprianto 		13–18, 15–2, 15–12 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1996 Korea Open Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		5–15, 14–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1996 All England Open Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		6–15, 5–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1996 Malaysia Open Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Malaysia Choong Tan Fook
Malaysia Lee Wan Wah 		15–5, 15–3 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1996 US Open Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Sigit Budiarto
Indonesia Candra Wijaya 		16–18, 10–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1996 Hong Kong Open Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Antonius Ariantho
Indonesia Denny Kantono 		6–15, 3–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1996 World Grand Prix Finals Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Rexy Mainaky
Indonesia Ricky Subagja 		4–15, 9–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1997 Korea Open Malaysia Yap Kim Hock South Korea Ha Tae-kwon
South Korea Kang Kyung-jin 		15–4, 13–15, 5–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1997 World Grand Prix Finals Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Sigit Budiarto
Indonesia Candra Wijaya 		15–17, 15–11, 5–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1998 Japan Open Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Antonius Ariantho
Indonesia Denny Kantono 		15–9, 15–7 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1998 Dutch Open Malaysia Choong Tan Fook Sweden Peter Axelsson
Sweden Pär-Gunnar Jönsson 		15–11, 15–9 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1999 Chinese Taipei Open Malaysia Choong Tan Fook Indonesia Antonius Ariantho
Indonesia Denny Kantono 		4–15, 17–14, 8–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1999 Hong Kong Open Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Sigit Budiarto
Indonesia Halim Haryanto 		15–12, 15–12 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
2000 Chinese Taipei Open Malaysia Yap Kim Hock Indonesia Tony Gunawan
Indonesia Candra Wijaya 		7–15, 7–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up

Honours

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cheah Soon Kit

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Cheah Soon Kit (born 9 January 1968) is a retired Malaysian badminton player specializing in men's doubles, best known for securing a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics alongside partner Yap Kim Hock.[1][2][3] Throughout his competitive career from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, Cheah represented Malaysia in three Olympic Games—Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000—and contributed significantly to the nation's success in international team events, including a pivotal role in the 1992 Thomas Cup victory, where Malaysia defeated Indonesia in the final.[1][2][4] His partnerships with left-handers Soo Beng Kiang and later Yap Kim Hock yielded numerous accolades, such as silver medals at the 1993 and 1997 World Championships, gold at the 1995 Asian Championships, and titles at the 1992 and 1994 World Cups, alongside wins at prestigious opens like the Malaysia Open (1992, 1996), Japan Open (1998), and Hong Kong Open (1999).[2] Cheah's aggressive playing style and tactical acumen established him as one of Malaysia's premier doubles specialists during the 1990s, earning him awards including the Kesatria Mangku Negara (KMN) in 1992; he was later conferred the title of Datuk in 2021.[5][6] After retiring, Cheah transitioned into coaching, serving as Malaysia's national men's doubles coach for the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) until 2018, where he mentored emerging talents and emphasized mental resilience in competition.[7] Following a seven-year hiatus, he made a return to the sport in 2025 as a guest coach for Badminton England, preparing players for the World Championships in August and marking his first international coaching stint abroad.[4][7][8]

Early Life

Birth and Upbringing

Cheah Soon Kit was born on 9 January 1968 in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.[3] Of ethnic Chinese descent, his family name Cheah (謝) reflects the Hokkien heritage common among many Malaysian Chinese communities. He stands at 180 cm tall and weighed 73 kg during his competitive career.[3] Raised in Ipoh, Cheah spent his formative years in the city's vibrant, multicultural environment, which fostered a strong sense of community and discipline. He attended primary school at SK Cator Avenue Ipoh and secondary school at SMK Seri Kepayang before transferring to SMK Methodist (ACS) Ipoh after Form Three, where the school's emphasis on holistic development shaped his early character. Ipoh's rich sporting culture during the 1970s and 1980s provided a nurturing backdrop for young talents like him to explore physical activities. This early grounding in Ipoh laid the foundation for Cheah's athletic pursuits, eventually leading him toward a focused interest in badminton during his teenage years.[9]

Introduction to Sports

Cheah Soon Kit's early exposure to sports occurred in Ipoh, Perak, where he followed his father's interest in physical activities. At age nine, he began playing badminton at the Scout House court, participating in informal games with the children of his father's colleagues during breaks in adult sessions.[10] This initial involvement quickly progressed to organized competition, as Cheah represented his primary school, Cator Avenue, in local badminton events. Upon entering secondary school at Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) Ipoh, he further developed his abilities, establishing himself as a promising player through school tournaments and contributing to the institution's strong badminton tradition.[10][11] By the late 1980s, Cheah had transitioned to full specialization in badminton, engaging in domestic junior competitions and national selections that marked his entry into higher-level play in Malaysia.[2]

Playing Career

Early Achievements

Cheah Soon Kit joined the Malaysian national badminton team in the late 1980s, marking the beginning of his professional career as a specialist in men's doubles.[2] His initial partnerships within the team included Wong Tat Meng, with whom he competed in early international fixtures, before transitioning to Ong Beng Teong, showcasing his growing prowess in the discipline.[12] A pivotal early achievement came during the 1988 Thomas Cup, where Cheah and Ong Beng Teong delivered the decisive victory in the men's doubles semi-final against Indonesia's Liem Swie King and Bobby Ertanto, securing a 3-2 win for Malaysia and propelling the team to its first final appearance in 12 years.[12] This performance highlighted his potential as a key contributor to national team efforts and established him as one of Malaysia's emerging doubles talents.[2] Cheah's domestic success in the late 1980s, including appearances in the Malaysia Open, further solidified his position within the national setup, paving the way for regional breakthroughs such as team medals at the Southeast Asian Games.[13]

Major Partnerships and International Success

Cheah Soon Kit formed his primary men's doubles partnership with Soo Beng Kiang in the late 1980s, a collaboration that became renowned for its tactical synergy, combining Cheah's powerful baseline smashes with Soo's precise net play and defensive coverage.[2][14] This duo achieved significant international success in the early 1990s, most notably securing gold medals at the World Cup tournaments in 1992 and 1994, defeating strong Indonesian pairs in both finals to highlight Malaysia's rising prowess in global badminton.[2] Their partnership also yielded a silver medal at the 1993 BWF World Championships in Copenhagen, where they fell to Indonesia's Ricky Subagja and Rudy Gunawan in the final after a competitive run that included victories over top seeds.[15][2] Throughout their tenure together, which lasted until the mid-1990s, Cheah and Soo amassed numerous titles in BWF Grand Prix events, such as the 1992 US Open and 1993 Chinese Taipei Open, establishing them as one of Asia's elite doubles teams during an era dominated by Indonesian and Chinese competitors.[2] Over Cheah's broader men's doubles career, he recorded an approximate win-loss tally of 331-132, underscoring the sustained impact of his partnerships, including the one with Soo.[13] In mixed doubles, his record stood at 7-7, reflecting more limited but targeted participation.[13]

Thomas Cup Contributions

Cheah Soon Kit was a cornerstone of Malaysia's Thomas Cup teams throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, participating in five consecutive finals from 1988 to 1994 and the 1998 final, serving as a key doubles specialist in the national squad's strategy.[2] His reliability in high-stakes doubles matches made him an anchor against formidable rivals, particularly Indonesia, helping Malaysia secure a gold medal in 1992 and silver medals in 1990, 1994, and 1998.[2] In the 1988 Thomas Cup, Cheah played a pivotal role in Malaysia's run to the final, partnering Ong Beng Teong to clinch the decisive second doubles victory over Indonesia's Liem Swie King and Bobby Ertanto in the semi-final, securing a 3-2 win that propelled Malaysia forward despite an eventual 3-2 loss to China in the final.[16] Two years later, in the 1990 final against China in Tokyo, Cheah contributed to Malaysia's effort in a 4-1 defeat, partnering in doubles to challenge the dominant Chinese pairs as part of the team's resilient performance.[2] His consistent involvement underscored Malaysia's emergence as a competitive force in international team badminton during this era. The 1992 Thomas Cup in Kuala Lumpur marked Cheah's most celebrated contribution, where he and longtime partner Soo Beng Kiang defeated Indonesia's Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky 15-10, 8-15, 15-7 in the second doubles of the final, securing the third point in a 3-2 victory that ended Malaysia's 25-year title drought.[2] In 1994, despite a 3-2 final loss to Indonesia in Jakarta, Cheah and Soo Beng Kiang pushed the hosts' Rudy Gunawan and Bambang Suprianto in a competitive second doubles match, highlighting their tactical acumen in containing Indonesia's aggressive style.[2] By the 1998 final in Hong Kong, pairing with Yap Kim Hock, Cheah anchored the doubles lineup in another 3-2 defeat to Indonesia, demonstrating enduring team impact before his retirement from international competition around 2000.[2] Throughout these campaigns, his strategic positioning and defensive prowess were integral to Malaysia's team dynamics, often neutralizing top opposing pairs in prolonged rallies.[2]

Coaching Career

Roles with Badminton Association of Malaysia

Cheah Soon Kit was appointed as the national women's doubles coach by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in 2001, a role he held until 2007. In this capacity, he focused on developing emerging talent, particularly the pair of Wong Pei Tty and Chin Eei Hui, whom he groomed into one of Malaysia's most successful women's doubles combinations.[17][18] Under Cheah's guidance, Wong Pei Tty and Chin Eei Hui achieved notable success, including a gold medal in women's doubles at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in Manila, ending a 30-year drought for Malaysia in that event. The following year, the duo secured another gold medal in women's doubles at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, contributing to Malaysia's record four-gold haul in badminton at the competition. These accomplishments highlighted Cheah's emphasis on tactical refinement and mental resilience in doubles play.[12] After a period away from BAM, Cheah was approached in 2015 about returning as a doubles coach, though the arrangement was not finalized at that time. He rejoined the association in 2016 as the head coach for men's doubles, serving until his contract was not renewed in December 2018. During this tenure, he mentored key pairs such as Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong, who won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and provided strategic oversight to strengthen the department's depth, including work with younger athletes.[12][18][19][18]

International and Recent Coaching Engagements

Following his departure from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in 2007, Cheah Soon Kit served as chief coach for the Kuala Lumpur Racquet Club (KLRC) Bhd, a professional club where he mentored emerging players in doubles specialization over the subsequent years.[20][21] After concluding his second tenure with BAM in 2018 and a subsequent hiatus from coaching, Cheah ventured into international roles in 2025, marking his first overseas engagements. In July 2025, he accepted a short-term invitation for a six-week stint in Europe, initially with the location undisclosed to maintain a low profile.[4][18] The assignment was later revealed to be with Badminton England, where Cheah joined as a guest coach ahead of the World Championships in Paris, focusing on enhancing doubles techniques for national squad members.[8][22] His sessions emphasized tactical elements like shot placement and court coverage, drawing directly from his playing career as a 1996 Olympic silver medalist and multiple Thomas Cup contributor.[23][2] During the engagement, Cheah provided targeted guidance to players such as debutant Alex Green, helping refine partnership synchronization and aggressive net play to elevate England's competitive edge in international doubles.[24] This role underscored his broader influence on global doubles strategies, leveraging insights from his BAM women's doubles success—where he coached pairs like Wong Pei Tty and Chin Eei Hui to 2006 Commonwealth Games gold—to adapt proven methods for diverse international contexts.[25][8]

Achievements

Olympic Games and World Championships

Cheah Soon Kit made his Olympic debut at the 1992 Barcelona Games, partnering with Soo Beng Kiang in men's doubles. The pair advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating opponents in earlier rounds, but were eliminated by China's Li Yongbo and Tian Bingyi with scores of 15–11, 15–18, 4–15.[26][3] At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Cheah partnered with Yap Kim Hock, marking a new successful collaboration following his earlier pairing with Soo. Their preparation involved intensive training to refine aggressive net play and defensive stability, drawing on recent victories in international tournaments to build momentum. They progressed steadily, defeating South Korea's Ha Tae-kwon and Kang Kyung-jin 18–17, 15–8 in the round of 16, Sweden's Jan-Eric Antonsson and partner in the quarterfinals, and Indonesia's Antonius Budi Ariantho and Denny Kantono 15–10, 15–6 in the semifinals. In the final, they secured Malaysia's first Olympic silver medal by reaching the championship match but fell to Indonesia's Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky 15–1, 15–7.[27][28] Cheah returned for the 2000 Sydney Olympics with Yap Kim Hock, aiming to build on their previous success. However, the duo exited early, winning their round-of-32 match against Denmark's Michael Sogaard and Jens Christian Rindom 15–5, 15–3 before losing in the round of 16 to Indonesia's Tony Gunawan and Candra Wijaya 15–7, 8–15, 15–12, finishing ninth overall.[29][3] In the World Championships, Cheah first achieved prominence at the 1993 edition in Birmingham, partnering with Soo Beng Kiang. The Malaysian duo reached the final after navigating a competitive draw, ultimately earning silver after a loss to Indonesia's Ricky Subagja and Rudy Gunawan.[15] Cheah claimed another World Championships silver in 1997 in Glasgow, this time with Yap Kim Hock. Their path included a notable semifinal victory over Indonesia's Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky, showcasing tactical depth in a three-game battle. They advanced to the final but were defeated by fellow Indonesians Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto.[30][2]

Regional and Commonwealth Competitions

Cheah Soon Kit demonstrated exceptional prowess in regional badminton competitions, particularly in men's doubles, where he partnered with Soo Beng Kiang to secure multiple gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) across the late 1980s and early 1990s.[8] His notable victories include the men's doubles gold at the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore, defeating the Indonesian pair Rexy Mainaky and Ricky Subagja in the final, and another gold at the 1995 SEA Games in Chiang Mai. These triumphs highlighted Malaysia's strength in the discipline and contributed to the nation's team successes in the event. In the Asian Games, Cheah Soon Kit earned a bronze medal in men's doubles with Soo Beng Kiang at the 1990 edition in Beijing, reaching the semifinals before securing third place.[3] He followed this with a silver medal in the same event at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, where the pair fell to the Indonesian duo Rexy Mainaky and Ricky Subagja in the final.[31] These performances underscored his consistency against top Asian rivals, establishing him as a key figure in Malaysia's regional campaign. At the Commonwealth Games, Cheah Soon Kit claimed a silver medal in men's doubles with Soo Beng Kiang at the 1990 Games in Auckland.[3] Four years later, they upgraded to gold at the 1994 Victoria Games, overcoming England's Simon Archer and Chris Hunt in the final to mark Malaysia's first men's doubles title in the competition.[23] Additionally, in the 1990s, Cheah Soon Kit won the men's doubles gold at the 1991 Asian Cup in Jakarta with Soo Beng Kiang, defeating the Indonesian favorites Rexy Mainaky and Ricky Subagja. He later secured another gold at the 1995 Asian Championships in Beijing partnering with Yap Kim Hock, defeating China's Huang Zhanzhong and Jiang Xin in the final.[32]

Other International Titles

Cheah Soon Kit achieved significant success in the World Cup, securing the men's doubles title in 1992 in Guangzhou, China, alongside partner Soo Beng Kiang, where they defeated the Indonesian pair of Rexy Mainaky and Ricky Subagja in the final.[2] Two years later, in 1994 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the same partnership claimed another World Cup gold, overcoming Indonesia's Eddy Hartono and Rudy Gunawan.[2] In the IBF World Grand Prix circuit during the 1990s, Cheah excelled with multiple titles and finals appearances. Partnered with Yap Kim Hock, he won the 1995 World Grand Prix Finals, marking a pivotal achievement in their collaboration.[2] The following year, 1996, saw further triumphs, as they reached the finals at the Korea Open and the prestigious All England Open, showcasing their aggressive playstyle against top international competition.[2] Cheah's later career featured additional BWF tournament successes, such as the 1998 Japan Open win with Yap Kim Hock, defeating Indonesia's Antonius Ariantho and Denny Kantono in the final.[2] In 1999, the duo capped a strong run by capturing the Hong Kong Open title, beating Sigit Budiarto and Halim Haryanto of Indonesia 15–12, 15–12.[2][33] Throughout his career, Cheah maintained a formidable record in men's doubles, amassing 279 wins from 369 matches for a win rate of approximately 75.6%, underscoring his consistency and impact in international circuit events.[34]

Personal Life and Legacy

Family and Personal Details

Cheah Soon Kit was born on 9 January 1968 in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.[35][3] Of Chinese descent, he married Anita Phang Yee Mun on 27 June 2000.[36] His wife, Anita Phang Yee Mun, won the Mrs Malaysia beauty pageant title in 2003, receiving encouragement from Cheah via SMS during the competition.[37] The couple has a daughter and has kept further details of their family life private, with limited public updates post-retirement.[37][38] Cheah maintains strong ties to Ipoh, his birthplace. He received his early education in Ipoh and has continued to reside primarily in Malaysia following his badminton career, despite short-term coaching engagements abroad as of 2025.[35][9]

Honours and Recognition

Cheah Soon Kit has been conferred several prestigious honours by the Malaysian government in recognition of his contributions to badminton. He received the Herald of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal Family of Malaysia (BSD) in 1988 and the Officer of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (KMN) in 1992. In 2021, he received the Panglima Mahkota Wilayah (PMW) award, which entitles him to the title of Datuk.[39][40][41] This accolade was presented during Federal Territory Day celebrations, highlighting his role as a national sports icon.[42] As a three-time Olympian, Cheah holds official Olympian status with the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), acknowledging his participation in the 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta, and 2000 Sydney Games, where he secured a silver medal in men's doubles at Atlanta.[43][3] Cheah is widely regarded as Malaysia's premier men's doubles player during the 1990s, forming pivotal partnerships that elevated the nation's performance in international team events like the Thomas Cup.[2] His aggressive style and success against dominant Indonesian pairs set benchmarks for doubles play, influencing subsequent training methodologies within the Badminton Association of Malaysia by emphasizing tactical versatility and physical conditioning.[2] In recent years, Cheah's enduring impact has been celebrated through international tributes, including the Badminton World Federation's (BWF) "Genius in Action" feature in 2020, which profiled his key role in Malaysia's Thomas Cup campaigns from the late 1980s to the 1990s.[2]

References

  1. Soon Kit CHEAH - Olympics.com
  2. Genius in Action: Cheah Soon Kit - BWF News
  3. Thomas Cup hero Soon Kit returns to coaching in Europe | The Star
  4. Cheah Soon Kit to coach in Europe for short stint, keeps location ...
  5. Cheah Soon Kit - Olympedia
  6. [PDF] MISS ECHO - Ipoh Echo
  7. PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions
  8. The Rich Sports Heritage of ACS Ipoh
  9. Cheah Soon Kit planning to return to BAM as doubles coach
  10. CHEAH Soon Kit - Badminton Ranks
  11. Cheah Soon Kit - BadmintonCentral
  12. Results | BWF World Championships 1993
  13. Winning start for Soon Kit-Beng Teong (pic) - BadmintonPlanet.com
  14. Indonesia pull off Cup double with their 10th Thomas title
  15. SOON KIT HOPES TO GROOM MORE DOUBLES PLAYERS ... - BAM
  16. Thomas Cup hero Soon Kit off to Europe for short coaching stint
  17. BAM doesn't renew Cheah Soon Kit and 3 other coaches' contracts
  18. Other Sport: Soon Kit: I left because I yearn new challenges | The Star
  19. Soon Kit can deliver (pic) - BadmintonPlanet.com
  20. Cheah Soon Kit bolsters Badminton England ranks as Guest Coach
  21. Soon Kit joins England as guest coach ahead of Paris Worlds
  22. Badminton: Old Kit on the new block - Thomas Cupper joins England
  23. Former great Cheah Soon Kit joins England as a guest coach in the ...
  24. Top pair vow to fight on despite Soon Kit's departure
  25. Results | Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games
  26. Atlanta 1996 Badminton doubles men Results - Olympics.com
  27. Doubles, Men – Semi-Finals, Match #2 - Olympedia
  28. Results | Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
  29. Results | BWF World Championships 1997
  30. Badminton: Soh's solid support - The Star
  31. Badminton Asia Championships: Full list of title winners
  32. People's Daily Online
  33. Soon Kit CHEAH | Profile - BWF World Tour Finals
  34. SBOTOP: Thomas Cup Legend Soon Kit Embarks on New Coaching ...
  35. Anita Mun Family History & Historical Records - MyHeritage
  36. Soon Kit's wife beats 13 others to Mrs Malaysia title | The Star
  37. senarai penerima darjah kebesaran, bintang dan pingat wilayah ...
  38. Rashid Sidek sees 'Datuk' award as boost to do more for badminton
  39. King confers 2021 Federal Territory awards to 163 individuals
  40. Qobin, Rashid Sidek, Cheah Soon Kit Dikurnia Gelaran Datuk ...
  41. https://olympics.com/en/athletes/soon-kit-cheah
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