Source:Sipa USA/SOPA Images
[Saba Sports News] As is well known, Loh Kean Yew was one of the “founding members” of Viktor Axelsen’s Dubai training camp. At that time, Axelsen was already an Olympic champion, the man at the pinnacle of the sport, while Loh Kean Yew was still a young player full of potential but in urgent need of a breakthrough. The fact that Axelsen could open his doors and invite him to train together is itself commendable for his broad-mindedness. In the Dubai training hall, they were each other’s best training partners and mirrors who understood each other’s game styles the most. Axelsen needed Loh’s extreme speed and explosiveness to hone his own skills, while Loh Kean Yew learned tactical thinking and training attitude from the world number one. This day-to-day training tempered not only their skills but also their bond. Even after Loh Kean Yew left the camp to develop independently, their off-court interactions never ceased, including playful banter on social media. On the court, they are rivals who must give their all. Every time they face each other across the net, it’s about honor, ranking points, and championships. Axelsen wants to defend his throne, while Loh Kean Yew’s goal is to challenge all top players, including Axelsen. Every brilliant rally, every diving save, they show no mercy. The friendship between Axelsen and Loh Kean Yew precisely showcases the most beautiful aspect of sports – competition is not the end goal, but rather the driving force that makes each other stronger; and respect and friendship are the eternal treasures that transcend wins and losses.