1966 All England Badminton Final Classic -Tan Aik Huang (Malaysia) vs M.Akiyama (Japan)

Malaysia's only AE singles champion of the 60s wins title against Masao Akiyama of Japan.Tan Yee Khan and Ng Boon Bee defeated the legendary Hammergard Hansen and (the late) Finn Koberro in the finals.You can get to see the much vaunted and feared Finn Koberro backhand smash in the 2nd set as he faces the camera.
This clip is property of ITN source.A clear version and transcript of the event can be found in ITN source by going to ITN source and searching badminton
Seems there was a full length video of the singles final circulating in Kuala Lumpur in the past but no one knows if it still exists.If anyone has the videotape please digitise and upload it or otherwise I can do it for you if you contact me.

[@yiseng4602]

Yes 1966 was Malaysia's finest year in the international badminton arena. The Malaysian team comprising of Yew Cheng Hoe,Billy Ng,Tan Aik Huang,Teh Kew San,Ng Boon Bee and Tan Yee Khan swept almost all the international titles at stake including gold in the men's singles and doubles at the 1966 Commonwealth Games at Kingston in Jamaica. Except for the men's team shocked defeat in the final of the Asian Games at Bangkok to Thailand by 5-4 Malaysia won both the men's singles and doubles gold. However it was the multiple success at the All England that was the most significant with Aik Huang winning the gold beating Japan's Masao Akiyama and Boon Bee and Yee Khan overcoming Hamargaard Hansen and Finn Kobbero in three sets to retain the title.

[@chanboonyeoh643]

That was the year we achieved multiple success in the All England Badminton Championships by winning the men's singles and doubles.It is a feat that has never been repeated since although Hafiz Hashim and Datuk Lee Chong Wei did win the men's title. What was most memorable that year that except for the Asian Games failure towards the end of 1966 our badminton team captained by Teh Kew San swept almost everything before them. But that double success in winning the men's singles and men's doubles was last achieved in the 1950s when Malaya reigned supreme as Kingpins in badminton. Tan Aik Huang won the men's singles beating Japan's Masao Akiyama whereas Tan Yee Khan and Ng Boon Bee retained the men's doubles title prevailing over Denmark's Finn Koberro and Hamagaard Hansen in the rubber 18-16.

[@larrydonguy]

Again, thanks for the clip, Mynah Bird. That doubles final was a very close three game match. Kobbero and Hammergaard-Hansen are both gone now. Wonderful wrists with those heavy rackets. Akiyama pulled off all sorts of upsets along the way but in the final was no match for Tan Aik Huang who was at the top of his form in 1966. For whatever reason, Tan Aik Huang hated to smash anything except complete set-ups. It didn't help him later against Hartono who had everything Tan did plus plenty of power and the willingness to use it.

[@mynahbird20000]

A very accurate and spot on account of the times,event and the players. Thanks.

[@mynahbird20000]

Badminton of that period less Tang and Hou and except Hartono was not that fast,it was the dreary 15 point system and it made sense at that time to play "safe" badminton like Chen Long today as most players were not so fit,fast and could not move so quickly around the court.Hopefully the 11 point system tried out in the Belgian Open recently will put more emphasis on good strokes and positive play rather than fitness.

[@yiseng4602]

That year circa 1966 was arguably the finest year for Malaysian badminton. Malaysia had multiple success at the 1966 All England winning the men's singles and men's doubles crown with Tan Aik Huang beating Japan's Masao Akiyama and Ng Boon Bee-Tan Yee Khan retaining their title with a hard fought three set win over Denmark's Harmagaard Hansen and Finn Koberro. Not only the All England was won but other international championships as well such as the Commonwealth Games at Kingston Jamaica. The all conquering doubles pair of Yee Khan and Boon Bee swept almost eeverything off the board and Aik Huang was unbeatable.

[@yiseng4602]

Yes Tan Aik Huang is the only Malayaian shuttler to have beaten the legendary Rudy Hartono five times and the last was achieved in the Glasgow World Invitation winning in straight sets 15-9,15-9.

[@vall-19]

FINALS 1966 All England Badminton Championships 23 March 1966-26 March 1966 Wembley Arena, London ** Men's singles : Tan Aik Huang (Malaysia) vs Masao Akiyama (Japan) 15-7, 15-4 ** Women's singles : Judy Hashman (USA) vs Imre Rietveld (Netherlands) 11-6, 11-7 ** Men's doubles : Ng Boon Bee/Tan Yee Khan (Malaysia) vs Finn Kobbero/Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen (Denmark) 9-15, 15-9, 17-15 ** Women's doubles : Judy Hashman (USA)/ Sue Peard (Republic of Ireland) vs Karin Jørgensen/Ulla Strand (Denmark) 15-5, 14-17, 15-12 ** Mixed doubles : Finn Kobberø/Ulla Strand (Denmark) vs Per Walsoe/ Pernille Mølgaard Hansen (Denmark) 15-13, 15-3

[@ruizmoriss5514]

Where is INDONESIA??????????why nothing????????

[@geraldkountul6157]

Actually Sir, the one backhand smash I see at 0:51 is played by Hammergaard Hansen.

[@mynahbird20000]

Tan Aik Huang was an exponent of the 4 corner game with deep and accurate clears to the backcourt.Hartono moved faster and had a bigger smash and so did Sven Pri.Definitely in terms of speed and pace Tang Xian Hu and Hou Jia Chang were superior. Even more so Zhao Jian Hua in 1985 who blasted Liem Swie King with his speed.And so on and so forth,that's how badminton developed.

[@mynahbird20000]

eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Search?ST=1&AT=advanced&K=tan+aik+huang+badminton&KA=Tan+Aik+Huang&DF=01%2F01%2F1960&DT=01%2F01%2F1973&NPT=&L=&CTA= 890 articles on Tan Aik Huang's playing career

[@zehn9066]

Hope aaron chia/soh wooi yik be a new generation champian men double