PARIS Loh Kean Yew was in a rush.
The Paris 2024 badminton venue at Porte de la Chapelle had emptied at close to 10pm, and the Singaporean, fresh off an opening Group M win, could not wait to catch the official bus back to the Olympic Village.
Still, he had a minute for two local fans who waited an hour to meet him, for he knows time - no matter how long or short - can make a world of difference.
From being a fresh-faced underdog who crashed out of the group stage in his Olympic debut in 2021, Loh has come a long way.
Later that year, he rose to stardom by clinching a world championship crown. His number of Instagram followers has risen to 420,000.
The 27-year-old knows he is supposed to be in his sporting prime, should progress from his group, and this could be his best chance of winning a historic Olympic medal for his country.
The arena is packed, his parents are in the stands, he is ready with matching bag and shoes in French colours, the atmosphere is "electrifying".
But he cannot be impatient.
And with calculated calm and composure, Loh beat Czech Republic's 63rd-ranked Jan Louda 21-13, 21-10 on July 28.
Denne historien er fra July 30, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 30, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Mbappe could be stripped of captaincy
PARIS France captain Kylian Mbappe is facing criticism in his home country for skipping Les Bleus' Nations League games against Israel and Belgium while being available to play for his club Real Madrid.
STEWING OVER 'WORST' DEFEAT
Spurs boss slams unacceptable second half’ at Brighton, conceding thrice in 18 minutes
CHRISTIAN IS ROOKIE CHAMP
S’pore driver heads to Eurocup-3’s final round with chance of being overall winner
TENNIS STARS PICK 'SECOND FAMILY'
New coaching partnerships help top players refresh, improve their games
Scepticism over Chinese stocks remains despite world-beating rally
Global fund managers waiting for Beijing to back up stimulus pledges with real money
US scientists win Nobel Prize in medicine for work on microRNA
Duo lauded for discovering new principle of gene regulation for multicellular organisms
Hurricane Milton strengthening as it heads towards Florida
FLORIDA Hurricane Milton is intensifying on its path towards Florida possibly reaching Category 4 power and may spark the largest evacuation in seven years as it aims for the state's Gulf Coast and Tampa.
Trump on the stump, Harris hits airwaves with race on razor's edge
US presidential candidates scramble for votes in 7 swing states vital to poll victory
China military drills expected soon after Taiwan national day
China is likely to launch military drills this week near Taiwan, using Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's upcoming national day speech as a pretext to pressure the island to accept its sovereignty claims, Taiwanese officials say.
Gaza war deadliest conflict for journalists: Observers
Israel refutes claim by advocacy group that it directly targeted 32 media workers
