Competing in mixed doubles badminton at the highest international level, Chan Peng Soon secured a landmark silver medal for Malaysia at the 2016 Rio Olympics. His career, spanning over a decade of professional play, established him as a consistent force in the sport, reaching a peak world ranking of number three in 2012 alongside long-term partner Goh Liu Ying.
Early Success and Asian Dominance
Born in George Town in 1988, Chan began making his mark in senior international badminton by 2009, when he won the Thailand Open with partner Lim Khim Wah. The following year, he and Goh Liu Ying achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Malaysian pair to win the Badminton Asia Championships. His contribution to team events remained consistent during this period, including gold medals in the mixed team category at both the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games.
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Chan represented his country at three separate Olympic Games. His debut in London 2012 ended in the group stages, but he returned in 2016 to reach the final in Rio de Janeiro. Despite falling to the Indonesian pair Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir, the silver medal finish marked the first time a Malaysian mixed doubles team reached an Olympic podium. He later appeared at the 2020 Summer Olympics, though he did not progress beyond the group phase.
Professional Transitions
Throughout his career, Chan demonstrated adaptability by navigating various partnerships, including those with Lai Pei Jing, Cheah Yee See, and Valeree Siow. Following his long-term partnership with Goh Liu Ying, which produced a Super Series title at the 2012 Japan Open, he pursued several shifts in professional management. He resigned from the Badminton Association of Malaysia in 2019 before rejoining the organization in 2022 to continue his competitive focus.
Fast facts
- Born: 27 April 1988, George Town, Malaysia
- Primary event: Mixed doubles badminton
- Olympic achievement: Silver medal, Rio 2016
- Peak world ranking: Number 3 in 2012
- Languages spoken: English, Mandarin, Malay, Hokkien
- Major titles: Asian champion, National champion
- BAM resignation date: 1 January 2019
- Partnership duration with Goh Liu Ying: 13 years
Questions readers ask
Did Chan Peng Soon win an Olympic gold medal?
No, he won a silver medal in the mixed doubles event at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Who was his longest-serving badminton partner?
He played with Goh Liu Ying for 13 years before their professional partnership concluded in December 2021.
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