DatukPunch GunalanPSDBSD (4 February 1944 – 15 August 2012)[1][2] was a Malaysianbadminton player, who achieved success in both singles and doubles competitions.
Badminton career
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 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]
