Former national badminton coach Wong Tat Meng has made a notable return to the sidelines just over a year after surviving a severe motorcycle accident in Sydney. Last week, Wong was seen coaching his protege Rafi Zafran Ferary at the Sydney International tournament, where Rafi secured the men’s singles title.

Rafi triumphed in a closely contested final against Taiwan’s Huang Yu, winning in three sets with scores of 21-19, 15-21, and 21-7. The victory marked a significant achievement for both player and coach, drawing praise on social media from Sydney-based Roketto Badminton, which highlighted the pair’s success.

Another player under Wong’s guidance, Sydney Tjonadi, also performed well in the tournament, advancing to the mixed doubles final alongside partner Raphel Deloy. The duo finished as runners-up after a straight-sets loss to Taiwan’s Lu Chen-Chang and Yun-jung, with the final scores at 13-21 and 16-21.

Wong’s return to coaching comes after a difficult year following a serious motorcycle accident in September 2025. The incident occurred on Putty Road in the Garland Valley area of Sydney, leaving the former coach of Malaysian star Lee Zii Jia critically injured and requiring intensive care.

Following an extended stay at Westmead Rehabilitation Hospital, Wong showed steady progress and was discharged in late November 2025. His comeback to active coaching roles indicates a positive recovery, as he resumes mentoring emerging badminton talent in Sydney.

Wong’s resilience and dedication continue to earn respect within the badminton community, demonstrating his commitment to the sport despite the challenges he faced.