Heah Hock Aun, (Chinese: 連福安; 15 January 1932-7 May 2014) is a former Malayan (Malaysian) badminton player, known for his accuracy and touch, who excelled internationally during the 1950s.

Heah Hock Aun
连福安
Personal information
Full nameJohnny Heah Hock Aun
CountryMalaysia
Born(1932-01-15)15 January 1932
Penang, British Malaya
Died7 May 2014(2014-05-07) (aged 82)
EventMen's singles & Men's doubles
Medal record
Men's badminton
Representing  Malaya
Thomas Cup
Silver medal – second place 1958 Singapore Men's team

Early life

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Heah was born on 15 January 1932, in Penang, British Malaya. He was the son of Heah Joo Seang, a well-known rubber magnate, philanthropist and politician in Malaya.[1]

Career

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Known as Johnny Heah while playing in Europe, he won men's singles at the Scottish Open in 1952, and was runner-up in men's singles to the celebrated Eddy Choong at the prestigious All-England Championships in 1953.[2] His most notable badminton achievement was winning men's doubles at the 1957 All-England's with American Joe Alston, beating Eddy Choong and his brother David.[3] Heah represented Malaya in the 1958 Thomas Cup (world team championship) Challenge Round, splitting his two doubles matches in Malaya's loss of the cup to Indonesia.[4]

Personal life

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Heah married Amy Choong, cousin of the famous Malayan badminton players, David E. L. Choong and Eddy Choong, in 1955.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Amy Heah Admitted to Colony Bar". The Straits Times. 31 May 1958.
  2. ^ Herbert Scheele ed., The International Badminton Federation Handbook for 1967 (Canterbury, Kent, England: J. A. Jennings Ltd., 1967) 166, 262.
  3. ^ Scheele, 168.
  4. ^ Scheele, 78.
  5. ^ "Penang Badminton Couple Wed". The Straits Times. 18 July 1955.