Datuk Punch Gunalan PSD BSD (4 February 1944 – 15 August 2012)[1][2] was a Malaysian badminton player, who achieved success in both singles and doubles competitions.
| Punch Gunalan | |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Born | 4 February 1944 Sepang, Selangor, Japanese Malaya |
| Died | 15 August 2012 (aged 68) Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia |
| Handedness | Right |
| Event | Men's Singles & Men's Doubles |
Medal record | |
Badminton career
editGunalan was a talented right-hander who spent what might have been some of the best years of his playing career competing only sporadically as a student in England.
In early 70s, Gunalan and his partner, Ng Boon Bee became the leading men's doubles team in the world.[3] They captured gold at the biennial Asian Games (1970), at the quadrennial Commonwealth Games (1970), and at the Asian Championships (1969). They captured the venerable All England title in 1971.
Though perhaps less consistent in singles than he was in doubles, Gunalan was capable of playing it at the highest level. He reached the All-England singles final in 1974, losing in three close sets to the iconic Rudy Hartono.[4] He also helped Malaysia reach the Thomas Cup final in 1970. He is the only Malaysian to capture gold medals in both men's singles and men's doubles at the Sea Games, the Commonwealth Games, and the Asian Games.[5]
Post-retirement
editAfter retiring as a player in 1974 Gunalan served in various stints as coach of the Malaysian team, an official in the Malaysian Badminton Association and as an official in the International Badminton Federation (now Badminton World Federation). In 1992, as team manager of the Thomas Cup together with Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tan Sri Elyas Omar, Malaysia won the Thomas Cup beating Indonesia.[6]
Death
editGunalan died on 15 August 2012 in Subang Medical Centre, Subang Jaya, after a short battle against cancer. He was 68.[7]
Honours
editHonours of Malaysia
editMalaysia :
Herald of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal Family of Malaysia (BSD) (1988)
Achievements
editOlympic Games (demonstration)
editMen's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Olympiapark, Munich, West Germany | 4–15, 15–2, 11–15 |
Asian Games
editMen's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | 4–15, 15–3, 15–12 |
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | 5–15, 15–8, 15–7 |
Asian Championships
editMen's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Rizal Stadium, Manila, Philippines | 11–15, 3–15 |
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Rizal Stadium, Manila, Philippines | 15–8, 5–15, 15–11 |
Southeast Asian Peninsular Games
editMen's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Yangon, Myanmar | ||||
| 1971 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ||||
| 1973 | Singapore Badminton Stadium, Singapore City, Singapore | 10–15, 15–18 |
Men's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Yangon, Myanmar | |||
| 1971 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 12–15, 11–15 | ||
| 1973 | Singapore Badminton Stadium, Singapore City, Singapore | 15–8, 15–11 |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Singapore Badminton Stadium, Singapore City, Singapore | 15–5, 15–6 |
Commonwealth Games
editMen's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 15–3, 15–3 | |||
| 1974 | Cowles Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand | 17–18, 15–5, 15–7 |
Men's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Cowles Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand | 15–1, 15–6 |
International tournaments
editMen's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Dutch Open | 15–4, 15–4 | |||
| 1968 | Northern Indian | 15–3, 6–15, 7–15 | |||
| 1969 | Singapore Pesta | 15–5, 15–5 | |||
| 1969 | U.S. Open | 15–3, 15–7 | |||
| 1971 | Poona Open | 15–4, 15–5 | |||
| 1971 | German Open | 15–12, 15–8 | |||
| 1971 | Denmark Open | 11–15, 15–4, 15–8 | |||
| 1971 | All England | 15–5, 15–3 | |||
| 1971 | Canada Open | 15–0, 15–11 | |||
| 1971 | U.S. Open | 2–15, 18–13, 15–7 | |||
| 1972 | Denmark Open | 15–6, 15–6 | |||
| 1972 | German Open | 15–9, 15–12 | |||
| 1972 | Singapore Open | 11–15, retired | |||
| 1974 | Scottish Open |
Men's singles
| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | All England | 15–8, 9–15, 10–15 |
References
edit- ^ "Datuk Punch Gunalan". National Archives of Malaysia. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ "Datuk Punch Gunalan". National Archives of Malaysia. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018. (in Malay)
- ^ "Boon Bee recalls the joy of his partnership with Punch - Other Sports | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
- ^ "Hartono remembers Malaysian great as an uncompromising competitor - Other Sports | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
- ^ "Punch Gunalan answers your 10 questions - Business News | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
- ^ "Razif: 1992 Thomas Cup winning team had all-round depth - Community | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
- ^ "Malaysian badminton legend Punch Gunalan passes away". The Borneo Post. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2023.