Punch Gunalan | |
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Personal information | |
Country | Malaysia |
Born | Sepang, Selangor, Japanese Malaya | 4 February 1944
Died | 15 August 2012 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia | (aged 68)
Handedness | Right |
Event | Men's Singles & Men's Doubles |
Medal record |
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.
Gunalan 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 games to the iconic Rudy Hartono.[4] He also helped Malaysia to 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]
After 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]
Gunalan died on 15 August 2012 after suffering from a critical illness. He was 68.[7]
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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1972 | Olympiapark, Munich, West Germany | ![]() |
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4–15, 15–2, 11–15 | ![]() |
Men'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 | ![]() |
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5–15, 15–8, 15–7 | ![]() |
Men'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 | ![]() |
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15–8, 5–15, 15–11 | ![]() |
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1969 | Yangon, Myanmar | ![]() |
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1971 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ![]() |
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1973 | Singapore Badminton Stadium, Singapore City, Singapore | ![]() |
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10–15, 15–18 | ![]() |
Men's singles
Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1969 | Yangon, Myanmar | ![]() |
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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 | ![]() |
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15–5, 15–6 | ![]() |
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1970 | Edinburgh, Scotland | ![]() |
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15–3, 15–3 | ![]() |
1974 | Cowles Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand | ![]() |
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17–18, 15–5, 15–7 | ![]() |
Men's singles
Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1974 | Cowles Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand | ![]() |
15–1, 15–6 | ![]() |
Men's doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1966 | Dutch Open | ![]() |
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15–4, 15–4 | ![]() |
1968 | Northern Indian | ![]() |
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15–3, 6–15, 7–15 | ![]() |
1969 | Singapore Pesta | ![]() |
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15–5, 15–5 | ![]() |
1969 | U.S. Open | ![]() |
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15–3, 15–7 | ![]() |
1971 | Poona Open | ![]() |
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15–4, 15–5 | ![]() |
1971 | German Open | ![]() |
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15–12, 15–8 | ![]() |
1971 | Denmark Open | ![]() |
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11–15, 15–4, 15–8 | ![]() |
1971 | All England | ![]() |
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15–5, 15–3 | ![]() |
1971 | Canada Open | ![]() |
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15–0, 15–11 | ![]() |
1971 | U.S. Open | ![]() |
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2–15, 18–13, 15–7 | ![]() |
1972 | Denmark Open | ![]() |
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15–6, 15–6 | ![]() |
1972 | German Open | ![]() |
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15–9, 15–12 | ![]() |
1972 | Singapore Open | ![]() |
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11–15, retired | ![]() |
1974 | Scottish Open | ![]() |
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Men's singles
Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1974 | All England | ![]() |
15–8, 9–15, 10–15 | ![]() |