Facts about Goh Liu Ying
Badminton is unquestionably one of the most popular sports in Malaysia. Whether you’re a follower of tournaments or not, names such as Lee Chong Wei, Lee Zii Jia, Aaron Chia, and Soh Wooi Yik need no introduction.
Another legendary athlete who plays a storm on the badminton court is Goh Liu Ying. She has been dominating the sport for over a decade and has represented Malaysia at numerous international tournaments – all whilst enduring multiple challenges throughout her career.
Here are 10 facts about the shuttler, who announced her retirement on 2nd November 2022.
1. Goh Liu Ying started playing badminton when she was 5
Image credit: @gohliuying_fans
Like many accomplished athletes, Goh Liu Ying had her exposure to the field at a young age.
Her father, Goh Chak Wee, played a pivotal figure in her career by introducing badminton to her, bringing her to watch her very first badminton match. When she was just 5 years old, he even began personally training her in hopes of seeing her participate in the Olympics one day.
To pursue the sport more seriously, she was enrolled at Bukit Jalil Sports School at the age of 13. She graduated in 2007, and joined the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) a year later in 2008.
2. She is a true-blue Malaccan who loves her hometown
Image credit: Goh Liu Ying
Though her illustrious career spans decades and comprises medals won in multiple countries, Goh always has her heart in her hometown – Melaka. The 33-year-old athlete was born on 30th May 1989 in the state, and grew up there with two younger brothers before moving to KL to pursue her career.
Goh remains humbly rooted and makes it a point to visit her hometown every year, especially during festive seasons. She has publicly shared that she finds joy in helping out her grandparents during the Chinese New Year among the company of her family and relatives.
3. She represented Malaysia at three Olympic Games
Image credit: Goh Liu Ying
Goh has achieved numerous feats in her badminton career as a professional mixed doubles player with fellow shuttler Chan Peng Soon as a solid partner. Together, the pair represented Malaysia thrice at the Olympics – the London 2012 Olympics, Rio 2016 Olympics, and Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Image credit: BWF Badminton
They were the first ever Malaysian mixed doubles pair to qualify for the Olympic Games. At their second Olympics, they clinched the coveted silver Olympic medal and made history as the first mixed doubles pair from Malaysia to win a medal in the category.
In 2017, Goh shared a photo on her Instagram account that showed off a tattoo – which comprises the ubiquitous Olympics logo along with the date “17082016” – that she had gotten to commemorate the win.
4. She was appointed a flag bearer at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Image credit: @gohliuying
Goh had the honour of bearing Malaysia’s flag alongside Lee Zii Jia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This was no doubt a monumental moment, as she’s only the second female athlete to represent Malaysia and carry the flag after diver Pandelela Rinong.
5. She was ranked as high as World’s No. 3 in mixed doubles
Image credit: @gohliuying
Apart from clinching an Olympic medal, Goh also has several gold medals from other notable international tournaments under her belt. This includes gold medals won with Chan as a partner at the 2010 Asian Championships and 2010 Commonwealth Games.
The duo’s numerous victories had them ranked as high as World’s No.3 in the mixed doubles event.
6. She parted ways with longtime badminton partner in 2021
Image credit: @gohliuying
At the end of 2018, the iconic badminton pair, Goh and Chan, announced their resignation from the Badminton Association of Malaysia. Though they continued to play together as professionals for several years after, they went their separate ways following the BWF World Tour Finals 2021 after 13 years of partnership.
7. She underwent several surgeries & intensive rehabilitation
Image credit: Goh Liu Ying
The journey of a professional athlete is never smooth sailing – they have a commitment to always be in tip-top shape yet face high risk of injuries while competing. Goh is no exception to this and has her share of career setbacks as well.
In 2014, she underwent an operation for both knees and went on a 11-month hiatus to recuperate. But this didn’t stop her from making a stunning comeback on the court in 2015, where she was back in peak form and winning titles – including the Olympic medal.
However, in 2017, she suffered an aggravating injury to her right shoulder. It forced her to undergo yet another surgery in Germany, followed by weeks in rehabilitation.
8. She released an autobiography & her own line of merch
Image credit: GLY Official Store
While she was recovering from her second injury, Goh took the time to pen out her thoughts into a book. She released an autobiography titled I am Goh Liu Ying in 2017, in which she bared her soul and the hardships she had gone through as a shuttler.
Along with the book’s publication, she also designed a range of T-shirts with inspirational quotes on them, which was executed with her close friend and fellow shuttler, Lim Yin Loo.
Image credit: Goh Liu Ying
Goh also uses her platform for charity works such as the TOGETHER IN PINK Charity Breast Cancer Awareness Event. She auctioned a painting she had done, with proceeds for the purchase of it donated towards the charitable cause which supports women.
9. She was enrolled in a modelling academy
Image credit: Li-Ning Distributor Concept Store Malaysia
When Goh isn’t smashing shuttlecocks on the court, she keeps herself busy with many other ventures. During her 11-month hiatus, she was enrolled in a modelling academy – the Amber Chia Academy. Upon her graduation, she took up countless modelling gigs, mostly photoshoots for sports brands.
She even started incorporating her love for fashion during her games with flashier sports attire, and was eventually named a “style icon” in the badminton scene by her fans.
Image credit: Goh Liu Ying
Besides modelling, Goh has also expressed her interest in helping her brother out in their jointly-owned IT company, GLY.
10. She announced her retirement from badminton in 2022
Image credit: Goh Liu Ying
Back in November 2022, Goh shocked the nation with her decision to retire from professional badminton. Her last tournament at The Malaysia Open in January 2023 saw Goh reuniting with badminton partner, Chan, to play her final match. As a token of appreciation for her fans’ support, Goh gave away her racket and jacket to them at the end of the game.
Malaysian badminton star, Goh Liu Ying
An amazing athlete with a heart of steel and fiery passion, Goh Liu Ying has been wowing the world with her incredible athleticism and achievements that have made Malaysians proud. Though she had her ups and downs in her career, her tenacity has kept her delivering her best on the court.
While we’re sad to hear that the star shuttler has since retired, we’ll keep cheering her on in her other projects.
Read more inspiring stories about Malaysian athletes here:
- 10 facts about Malaysian diver Pandelela Rinong
- 10 facts about Malaysian Olympian Nur Dhabitah Sabri
- 8 facts about the handsome Malaysian swimmer Welson Sim
Cover image adapted from: Goh Liu Ying & @gohliuying_fans