As a young boy growing up in the state of Malacca in the Southeast Asian country of Malaysia, Chua Zie Chieh discovered his love for badminton.

Chua first started playing badminton when his father introduced him to the game at the age of 4. He soon began going to the park and playing recreationally.

That is where Chua’s promise for the game was first noticed.

“A [badminton] coach spotted my talent and recruited me for the state team,” Chua said. “I was 7 years old.”

When Chua first began playing for the Malacca Badminton Association as a child, practices started off slow with only two practices totaling four hours each week.

At the age of 10, Chua was one of only four selected and sent to intensive training for the state team. When he began practicing six days a week, the Malacca Badminton Association issued a letter to his school saying there might be delays in Chua’s homework.

Soon he began taking formal leaves from school to compete on the junior circuit in interstate competitions. When he started falling behind in class, Chua’s parents became concerned with the time he was spending playing badminton.

“My parents emphasized education,” Chua said. “When I started intensive training, it was impossible for me to finish my homework.” 

When he was 14, Chua’s parents asked him to quit badminton. He would begin secondary school the next school year, where grades mattered for college admission.

Although he understood why he was asked to quit, Chua was still upset about leaving his sport.

“Honestly, I was quite angry with my parents because when you are that much into a sport, it is disappointing to give it all up,” Chua said. “If you quit, it is like something is missing in your life.”

The Malacca Badminton Association asked Chua not to quit the sport and offered a compromise: He could train on his own time and compete for them as long as he kept up standards set by the association. But Chua refused.

“We considered it, but I did not want to participate. I wanted other people to have a chance,” Chua said. “I gave up my chance so others can shine.”

Once Chua began secondary school, he started an American degree program. This program is what brought him to Iowa State to study mechanical engineering.

Since arriving in Ames last spring, Chua has joined the ISU Badminton Club where he has impressed many fellow athletes. His practice partner, Di Lok, said Chua’s skills are “absolutely advanced.”

Chua competed in the ISU Badminton Club’s Annual Spring Tournament in which athletes from all around the Midwest compete. He won the singles tournament and the doubles tournament with his partner, Benjamin Ch’Ng.

“I think Chua is a really skillful player,” Ch’Ng said. “He is able to cover the court well and is also able to predict the opponents’ movements.”

Since coming to the United States, Chua has had a chance to reflect on his badminton career.

“My parents made the right decision, because I could be the top player in a sports school, but then I would have to compete with athletes all over the world,” Chua said. “Now that I am here, I feel happy.”