Asian Games: Reliving Malaysia's biggest gold-medal haul in 1970

As the national contingent prepares for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, Stadium Astro relives the greatest edition which saw the national shuttlers return home with a three gold-medal haul at the 1970 edition in Bangkok, Thailand.

Punch Gunalan (Men’s Singles)

Punch had been one of the early Malaysian standout national shuttlers, who excelled in both the men’s singles and men’s doubles.

While it was common for shuttlers in the 70s and 80s to compete in multiple disciplines, Punch was among the elite who excelled in all of them.

In the men’s singles final, the Selangor-born came up against Indonesia’s Mujaldi.

Despite conceding the first game 4-15, the Malaysian went on to win the next two games 15-3, 15-12.

To this day, Punch remains the only Malaysian men’s singles shuttler to win gold at the Asian Games.

Punch Gunalan-Ng Boon Bee (Men’s Doubles)

Punch claimed his second gold medal with Ng, who was arguable the country’s greatest ever doubles shuttler.

A talented sportsman who also dabbled in athletics, rugby and tennis, Ng’s decision to focus on badminton landed him a gold mine of medals and accolades.

Among the Perak-born’s biggest success came at that 1970 with Punch.

The pair faced Japanese pair Junji Honma-Shoichi Toganoo in the final and won 5-15, 15-8, 15-7.

Ng Boon Bee-Sylvia Ng (Mixed Doubles)

Ng also helped himself to a second gold in Bangkok when he partnered the talented Sylvia Ng in the mixed doubles.

Sylvia, at that time, was at the peak of her prowess and won multiple titles in the women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

The now 76-year-old first claimed a bronze in the women’s singles after she reached the semi-finals in Bangkok.

She then went the distance with Boon Bee, as the pair battled to an epic 18-13, 11-15, 15-10 victory over Thai pair Bandid Jaiyen-Achara Pattabongs in the mixed doubles.