KUALA LUMPUR – Former national shuttler and coach Wong Tat Meng is fighting for his life in Australia after a motorcycle crash on Putty Road, Hunter Valley, last Sunday.
According to Australian news reports, emergency services were called to Garland Valley at about 3.20pm following a collision involving two motorcycles. One of the riders, a man in his 50s, died at the scene, while the other, a 58-year-old, was airlifted to hospital in critical condition.
It has since emerged that the second rider is Tat Meng, who is understood to have suffered serious head and spinal injuries. He is currently in intensive care.
Tat Meng, a former international who also represented Malaysia in the 1980s, rose to prominence as the coach of independent ace Lee Zii Jia. He guided Zii Jia to a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics before parting ways with Team LZJ shortly after the Games.
The 58-year-old later relocated to Australia, where he is believed to have continued coaching while pursuing his passion for motorcycling.
News of the accident shocked the Malaysian badminton fraternity. Former internationals Datuk James Selvaraj and Datuk Tey Seu Bock said they had only heard that Tat Meng was in intensive care and were awaiting further updates on his condition.
Police from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, along with specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit, are investigating the circumstances of the crash. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
For now, friends, former colleagues and players back home are anxiously hoping for positive news on Tat Meng’s recovery. – September 11, 2025