Heah Hock Aun, (; 15 January 1932 – 7 May 2014) was a former Malayan (Malaysian) badminton player, known for his accuracy and touch, who excelled internationally during the 1950s.
Early life Heah was born on 15 January 1932, in Penang, British Malaya. He was the son of Heah Joo Seang, a well-known rubber magnate, philanthropist and politician in Malaya.
Career Known as Johnny Heah while playing in Europe, he won men's singles at the Scottish Open in 1952, and was runner-up in men's singles to the celebrated Eddy Choong at the prestigious All-England Championships in 1953.Herbert Scheele ed., The International Badminton Federation Handbook for 1967 (Canterbury, Kent, England: J. A. Jennings Ltd., 1967) 166, 262. His most notable badminton achievement was winning men's doubles at the 1957 All-England's with American Joe Alston, beating Eddy Choong and his brother David.Scheele, 168. Heah represented Malaya in the 1958 Thomas Cup (world team championship) Challenge Round, splitting his two doubles matches in Malaya's loss of the cup to Indonesia.Scheele, 78.
Personal life Heah married Amy Choong, cousin of the famous Malayan badminton players, David E. L. Choong and Eddy Choong, in 1955.
Achievements International tournaments Men's singles Year Tournament Opponent Score Result1952Scottish Open Eddy Choong15–11, 15–8 Winner1952Irish Open Eddy Choong7–15, 11–15 Runner-up1953All England Open Eddy Choong4–15, 4–15 Runner-up
Men's doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result1952Irish Open Jim FitzGibbon David Choong Eddy Choong11–15, 5–15 Runner-up1957Singapore Open Lim Say Hup Ismail Marjan Ong Poh Lim10–15, 15–4, 15–7 Winner1957All England Open Joe Alston David Choong Eddy Choong15–10, 16–17, 15–5 Winner1958Malaysia Open Lim Say Hup Charoen Wattanasin Kamal Sudthivanich11–15, 11–15 Runner-up1958Singapore Open Lim Say Hup Lim Say Wan Ong Poh Lim15–9, 15–7 Winner
Mixed doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result1952Scottish Open Joy Saunders Tony Jordan Elisabeth O'Beirne15–10, 12–15, 15–10 Winner1958Malaysia Open Amy Heah Lim Say Hup Tan Gaik Bee15–12, 4–15, 14–18 Runner-up1958Singapore Open Amy Heah Lim Say Hup Jessie Ong15–8, 10–15, 15–17 Runner-up
References