Soniia Cheah decided to retire from her playing career after a nagging right ankle injury, but she will continue to be involved in the sport through her new academy.
"I have been experiencing tremendous pain on my right ankle since 2019. I handled it everyday by icing treatment and physio, but there are days where the pain is unbearable, so I can continue to train.
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"After the Tokyo Olympics, I decided to see a doctor to find out what's happening with my ankle. I found out surgery is the only way out. This made me realise that I have no choice but to retire with a heavy heart," said Cheah, who started her own academy called the Sunheart Badminton Academy.
Cheah's best career highlights came in 2016, where she won the Belgian and India International.
She also won a silver medal at the 2017 SEA Games, and another silver at the Commonwealth Games team event last year.
The 29-year-old also participated at the Tokyo Olympics last year, but crashed out in the group stage.
