Dato' Ng Boon Bee DPTJ AMN (Chinese: 伍文美; pinyin: Wǔ Wénměi; 17 December 1937 – 3 August 2022) was a Malaysian badminton player who excelled from the 1960s through the early 1970s. His success in doubles earned him recognition as one of greatest doubles players in badminton history.[1]
Ng started to play badminton when he was ten years inspired by his badminton-playing father. He was the third child from five siblings. His first success in badminton came in 1955 when he became Perak schoolboy champ in the singles and doubles. A year later, he won the Perak junior. He also excelled in all types of sports beside badminton such as athletics, tennis, rugby, and playing association football at the national level. It was some time in 1961 that he finally decided to concentrate on badminton.[2]
During the 1960s, Ng and his partner, Tan Yee Khan formed one of the most successful men's doubles teams of the decade, winning most of the sport's biggest titles including the coveted All England, Asian Games and Asian Championships.[3] Known for his quickness, power, and anticipation, Ng was a member of the Malaysian squad that won the 1967 Thomas Cup, in a 6–3 controversial victory over Indonesia at the Istora Senayan Stadium.[4]
After Yee Khan retired in 1969, Ng formed a successful partnership with Punch Gunalan. One of their biggest achievements was beating Indonesia's combination of Rudy Hartono/Indra Gunawan in the 1971 All-England final. There were other accomplishments too, including winning the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games and 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.[5]
Ng was married to Tong Yee Cheng. Together they had 2 children – Gillian and Thomas. Thomas was named after the prestigious Thomas Cup.[6]
On 3 August 2022, Ng died at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital due to aneurysm.[2]
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Olympiapark, Munich, West Germany |  Punch Gunalan
|
 Ade Chandra Christian Hadinata
|
4–15, 15–2, 11–15 |  Silver
|
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Tan Yee Khan
|
Tan Joe Hock Liem Tjeng Kiang
|
15–13, 18–17 |  Gold
|
| 1966 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Tan Yee Khan
|
Ang Tjin SiangTjoa Tjong Boan
|
12–15, 15–8, 18–16 | Gold
|
| 1970 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Punch Gunalan
|
 Junji Honma Shoichi Toganoo
|
5–15, 15–8, 15–7 | Gold
|
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Sylvia Ng
|
 Bandid Jaiyen Achara Pattabongs
|
18–13, 11–15, 15–10 | Gold
|
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Tan Yee Khan
|
Teh Kew San Lim Say Hup
|
15–9, 15–10 | Gold
|
| 1969 | Rizal Stadium, Manila, Philippines | Punch Gunalan
|
Ippei Kojima Yukinori Hori
|
Gold
|
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Yangon, Myanmar | Tan Yee Khan
|
Narong Bhornchima Raphi Kanchanaraphi
|
15–8, 6–15, 15–10 | Gold
|
| 1965 | Selangor Badminton Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Tan Yee Khan
|
Narong Bhornchima Raphi Kanchanaraphi
|
15–8, 15–11 | Gold
|
| 1967 | Bangkok, Thailand | Tan Yee Khan
|
Narong Bhornchima Raphi Kanchanaraphi
|
Gold
| |
| 1971 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Punch Gunalan
|
Ng Tat Wai Ho Khim Kooi
|
Gold
|
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Yangon, Myanmar | Ng Mei Ling
|
Pankae Phongam Raphi Kanchanaraphi
|
18–14, 8–15, 9–15 |  Silver
|
| 1965 | Selangor Badminton Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Teh Siew Yong
|
Tan Yee Khan Rosalind Singha Ang
|
15–11, 15–5 | Gold
|
| 1967 | Bangkok, Thailand | Teh Siew Yong
|
Chirasak Champakao Sumol Chanklum
|
6–15, 10–15 |  Bronze
|
| 1969 | Yangon, Myanmar | Rosalind Singha Ang
|
Khaw Gaik Bee Yew Cheng Hoe
|
Gold
| |
| 1971 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Rosalind Singha Ang
|
Ng Tat Wai Teh Mei Ling
|
Silver
|
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Kingston, Jamaica | Tan Yee Khan
|
Tan Aik Huang Yew Cheng Hoe
|
14–15, 5–15 | Silver
|
| 1970 | Edinburgh, Scotland | Punch Gunalan
|
Ng Tat Wai Tan Soon Hoi
|
15–3, 15–3 | Gold
|
Men's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Malaysia Open | Tan Yee Khan
|
Teh Kew San Lim Say Hup
|
14–17, 15–9, 15–7 |  Winner
|
| 1965 | All England | Tan Yee Khan
|
 Erland Kops Oon Chong Jin
|
15–7, 15–5 | Winner
|
| 1966 | Denmark Open | Tan Yee Khan
|
Tan Aik Huang Yew Cheng Hoe
|
15–13, 15–10 | Winner
|
| 1966 | All England | Tan Yee Khan
|
Finn Kobberø Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen
|
9–15, 15–9, 17–15 | Winner
|
| 1966 | Canadian Open | Tan Yee Khan
|
Svend Pri Yew Cheng Hoe
|
12–15, 15–1, 17–14 | Winner
|
| 1966 | U.S. Open | Tan Yee Khan
|
 Don Paup Jim Poole
|
15–6, 15–12 | Winner
|
| 1967 | Singapore Open | Tan Yee Khan
|
Indratno Mintarja
|
15–3, 15–8 | Winner
|
| 1967 | Denmark Open | Tan Yee Khan
|
Svend Pri Per Walsøe
|
8–15, 18–16, 17–15 | Winner
|
| 1967 | Malaysia Open | Tan Yee Khan
|
Indratno Mintarja
|
15–9, 15–10 | Winner
|
| 1968 | All England | Tan Yee Khan
|
Henning Borch Erland Kops
|
6–15, 4–15 |  Runner-up
|
| 1968 | Malaysia Open | Tan Yee Khan
|
Ippei Kojima Issei Nichino
|
11–15, 15–9, 15–9 | Winner
|
| 1968 | Singapore Open | Tan Yee Khan
|
Sangob Rattanusorn Chavalert Chumkum
|
15–9, 15–1 | Winner
|
| 1968 | German Open | Tan Yee Khan
|
Sangob Rattanusorn Chavalert Chumkum
|
15–9, 15–2 | Winner
|
| 1969 | U.S. Open | Punch Gunalan
|
Ippei Kojima Channarong Ratanaseangsuang
|
15–3, 15–7 | Winner
|
| 1969 | Singapore Pesta | Punch Gunalan
|
Indratno Mintarja
|
15–5, 15–5 | Winner
|
| 1971 | Poona Open | Punch Gunalan
|
Lee Kok Pheng Lim Shook Kong
|
15–4, 15–5 | Winner
|
| 1971 | German Open | Punch Gunalan
|
 Roland Maywald Willi Braun
|
15–12, 15–8 | Winner
|
| 1971 | Denmark Open | Punch Gunalan
|
Rudy Hartono Indra Gunawan
|
11–15, 15–4, 15–8 | Winner
|
| 1971 | All England | Punch Gunalan
|
Rudy Hartono Indra Gunawan
|
15–5, 15–3 | Winner
|
| 1971 | Canada Open | Punch Gunalan
|
Raphi Kanchanaraphi Channarong Ratanaseangsuang
|
15–10, 15–11 | Winner
|
| 1971 | U.S. Open | Punch Gunalan
|
Don Paup Jim Poole
|
2–15, 18–13, 15–7 | Winner
|
| 1972 | Denmark Open | Punch Gunalan
|
Sangob Rattanusorn Bandid Jaiyen
|
15–6, 15–6 | Winner
|
| 1972 | German Open | Punch Gunalan
|
 Derek Talbot Elliot Stuart
|
15–9, 15–12 | Winner
|
| 1972 | Singapore Open | Punch Gunalan
|
Tan Aik Huang Tan Aik Mong
|
11–15, retired | Runner-up
|
Mixed doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Singapore Open | Rosalind Singha Ang
|
Darmadi Minarni
|
4–15, 5–15 | Runner-up
|
| 1969 | Canada Open | Retno Koestijah
|
Darmadi Minarni
|
5–15, 15–17 | Runner-up
|
| 1970 | Singapore Open | Sylvia Ng
|
Chirasak Champakao Pachara Pattabongse
|
15–11, 15–12 | Winner
|
| 1971 | Poona Open | Sylvia Ng
|
 Joke van Beusekom Piet Ridder
|
Winner
| |
| 1971 | Canada Open | Sylvia Ng
|
 Rolph Patterson Mimi Nilsson
|
15–11, 15–4 | Winner
|
| 1971 | Singapore Open | Sylvia Ng
|
Thongkam Kingmanee Bandid Jaiyen
|
15–6, 15–9 | Winner
|
Malaysia :
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Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (A.M.N.) (1972)[10]
Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (PJN) – Datuk (2023)[11]
Negeri Sembilan :
Knight Commander of the Grand Order of Tuanku Ja’afar (D.P.T.J.) – Dato' (2008)[12]
