Lee Chong Wei in a file photo (Image Credits - Twitter)

Badminton Stats: Malaysians who have won Canada Open

July 4, 2023July 4, 2023 Soumya

The Canada Open in badminton is an international open held in Canada since 1957. The tournament is traditionally held every year in September. However, for the 2023 edition, the tournament will be held in the month of July. Earlier the tournament used to take place along with Canada National Championships.

In 1957 the Canadian Badminton Federation decided to open the Canadian National Championships and they were combined with the Canadian Open until 1961. In 1962 they were divided and held as separate tournaments. The championships were held as Canadian International in 2008 and 2009. The tournament earlier was a Bwf Super 300 tournament. From 2023 onwards, this will be a Super 500 tournament. This tournament has a long lineage and history. The 2023 edition will be the 58th edition of the tournament.

Who are some of the famous Malaysians to win the tournament?

1. Lee Chong Wei (Event- Men’s Singles, Year- 2015)

Lee Chong Wei became the Canada Open champion in 2015 by defeating Angus Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong, 21-17 & 21-13. The former world no. 1 won it in straight sets. However, this was his only podium in the tournament throughout his career. Nevertheless, due to his impeccable professional badminton career, he features in this list. Lee had been a two-time Olympic silver medalist and World no. 1 for the longest time with Malaysia.

2. Misbun Sidek (Event- Men’s Singles & Men’s Doubles, Year- 1983 & 1984)

The Malaysian prodigal brothers; the Sidek brothers have left their imprints on Canada Open as well. During the 1980s, the five Sidek brothers almost ruled the badminton world from Malaysia. However, their eldest brother Misbun Sidek has given some more extraordinary performances. One of them was his back-to-back performances in Canada Open. Sidek won the tournament for two years on a trot. He won the men’s singles in 1983 by defeating Jens Peter Nierhoff (15-6, 11-15 & 15-12) from Denmark. That year he also won the doubles title with his brother Rashid Sidek. Misbun was successful in defending his doubles title the next year by winning it with his brother Razif. Due to his outstanding service to the sport, the Malaysian government conferred upon him the title of commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (Datuk).

3. Ng Boon Bee (Event- Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles, Year- 1966 & 1971)

Datuk Ng Boon Bee was a Malaysian badminton player who excelled from the 1960s through the early 1970s. His success in doubles earned him recognition as one of the greatest doubles players in badminton history. Boon won the Canada Open for the first time in 1966 with Tan Yee Khan. That year he won the mixed doubles as well with Ulla Strand. Five years later, Boon again won the men’s doubles and mixed doubles with Punch Gunalan and Sylvia Ng respectively. Ng Boon Bee is the most successful Malaysian in this tournament. The late Malaysian shuttler had won the tournament on four occasions.

Who are the Malaysians to win the Canada Open?

Year	Champion	Category
1959	Lim Say Hup & Teh Kew San	Men’s doubles
1966	Tan Aik Huang	Men’s singles
1966	Ng Boon Bee & Tan Yee Khan	Men’s doubles
1966	Ng Boon Bee & Ulla Strand	Mixed doubles
1971	Ng Boon Bee & Punch Gunalan	Men’s doubles
1971	Ng Boon Bee & Sylvia Ng	Mixed doubles
1983	Misbun Sidek	Men’s singles
1983	Rashid Sidek & Misbun Sidek	Men’s doubles
1984	Razif Sidek & Misbun Sidek	Men’s doubles
1990	Ong Ewe Chye & Rahman Sidek	Men’s doubles
1991	Jalani Sidek & Razif Sidek	Men’s doubles
1992	Cheah Soon Kit & Soo Beng Kiang	Men’s doubles
2007	Lee Tsuen Seng	Men’s singles
2013	Tan Chun Seang	Men’s singles
2015	Lee Chong Wei	Men’s Singles