Oon Brothers
Encyclopedia
The Oon brothers; Oon Chong Teik, Oon Chong Jin, and Oon Chong Hau; were badminton
playing siblings from Malaya (Malaysia), each of whom won a variety of international titles while studying toward a medical degree in England. The eldest of the three, Chong Teik, was twice a singles semifinalist (1961, 1962) at the All-England Championships
which was then the world's most prestigious tournament for individual players. Chong Jin, the "middle brother," was an All-England
singles semifinalist in 1960, and a men's doubles finalist with Danish great Erland Kops
in 1965. Chong Hau, the youngest brother by several years, captured the English Junior singles title a record four times. He reached the All-England
singles semifinal in 1969, losing to the legendary Rudy Hartono
. From the late 1950s through the late 1960s the brothers, collectively, won both men's singles and men's doubles in the open championships of Belgium
, France
, Ireland
, the Netherlands
, and Scotland
. They captured men's singles and mixed doubles in the Welsh Open Championships
. In part because they resided abroad during their badminton primes, none of the brothers represented Malaysia in Thomas Cup
(world men's team) competition.
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
playing siblings from Malaya (Malaysia), each of whom won a variety of international titles while studying toward a medical degree in England. The eldest of the three, Chong Teik, was twice a singles semifinalist (1961, 1962) at the All-England Championships
All England Open Badminton Championships
The All England Open Badminton Championships, or simply All England, is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious badminton tournaments. Played annually, it developed after the success of world's first badminton tournament held in Guildford in 1898...
which was then the world's most prestigious tournament for individual players. Chong Jin, the "middle brother," was an All-England
All England Open Badminton Championships
The All England Open Badminton Championships, or simply All England, is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious badminton tournaments. Played annually, it developed after the success of world's first badminton tournament held in Guildford in 1898...
singles semifinalist in 1960, and a men's doubles finalist with Danish great Erland Kops
Erland Kops
Erland Kops is a former badminton player from Denmark who won numerous major international singles and doubles titles from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. Kops was the first Westerner to win major singles titles in the Far East. He combined abundant speed, power, and stamina with impressive...
in 1965. Chong Hau, the youngest brother by several years, captured the English Junior singles title a record four times. He reached the All-England
All England Open Badminton Championships
The All England Open Badminton Championships, or simply All England, is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious badminton tournaments. Played annually, it developed after the success of world's first badminton tournament held in Guildford in 1898...
singles semifinal in 1969, losing to the legendary Rudy Hartono
Rudy Hartono
Rudy Hartono Kurniawan , born August 18, 1949) is a former Chinese Indonesian badminton player who won the men's singles title at the World Championship in 1980, and the prestigious All-England Championship trophy eight times, seven times consecutively , in the 1960s and 1970s. He is one of the...
. From the late 1950s through the late 1960s the brothers, collectively, won both men's singles and men's doubles in the open championships of Belgium
Belgian International (badminton)
The Belgian International in badminton is an international open held in Belgium since 1958, but it has been held in irregular periods.Starting 2005 Yonex became title sponsor of the event...
, France
French Open (badminton)
The French Open is an annual Badminton tournament held in France since 1909 and hosted by the Fédération Française de Badminton . The 2009 edition will be held from the 27th of October to the 1st of November....
, Ireland
Irish International (badminton)
The Irish International in badminton is an international open held in Ireland since 1902 and is thereby one of the oldest badminton tournaments in the world. It was interrupted by the two World Wars. This tournament is currently a part of the European Badminton Circuit.-21st century:Below is the...
, the Netherlands
Dutch Open (badminton)
The Dutch Open is an annual badminton tournament held in the Netherlands since 1932 and currently organized by Nederlandse Badminton Bond . It is a part of the European Badminton Circuit.-Past winners:-External links:**...
, and Scotland
Scottish Open (badminton)
The Scottish Open in badminton is an open international championships held in Scotland since 1907 and is thereby one of the oldest badminton tournaments in the world. The tournament was halted during the two World Wars.-21st century:...
. They captured men's singles and mixed doubles in the Welsh Open Championships
Welsh International Badminton Championships
The Welsh International Badminton Championships is an international badminton championship held in Wales since 1928 and is thereby one of the oldest badminton tournaments in the world. The tournament was halted during the World War II, between 1960 and 1966, and in 1971...
. In part because they resided abroad during their badminton primes, none of the brothers represented Malaysia in Thomas Cup
Thomas Cup
The Thomas Cup, sometimes called the World Men's Team Championships, is an international badminton competition among teams representing member nations of the Badminton World Federation , the sport's global governing body...
(world men's team) competition.