KUALA LUMPUR: Former national men's badminton doubles player, Gan Teik Chai, died today at the age of 40.
According to his close friends, the former Australian Open champion died of a heart attack overseas.
Gan, as he was fondly known among his peers, leaves behind his wife, Esther Ng, and two sons.
Tributes to the former national shuttler have been pouring in since news of his passing broke.
Among them include Datuk Lee Chong Wei, and two of Teik Chai's former men's and mixed doubles partner, Tan Bin Shen and Ng Hui Lin. Bin Shen is currently the national men's doubles coach.
Chong Wei said in his social media account: "It is with a heavy and sad heart that I share the news of the passing of my close buddy, Gan Teik Chai, who I address as Ah Gan.
"Words cannot express the deep sorrow and grief that I am feeling right now.
"I'm replaying again and again the voice message he just left behind, agreeing to join me on court next week. Now that game will never materialise.
"Rest in peace brother."
Bin Shen, who partnered Teik Chai when they bagged the Australian Open crown in 2009, said Teik Chai was always the cheerful person who lifted everybody's spirits.
"I knew Gan when I joined the national academy when I was 16. He was a year older.
"I partnered him when I turned professional at the age of 25. We were both representing the Kuala Lumpur Racquet Club. That was when we won the Australian Open, and reached the final of several other tournaments.
"In fact, when my mum suffered from cancer, it was Gan who offered to help and was there for me."
Hui Lin, another retired former international, shared: "We've known each other for 16 years, I've always thought of James (Gan) as a big brother, he always ensured I was well taken care of and frequently brought me out for 'makan' sessions.
"He had such a big heart; he's the kind of person who would see an old aunty going round selling stuff at the kopitiam, and ask her to sit and join us at the table and he would buy her food and drinks.
"He will definitely be missed."
Teik Chai, who hailed from Kedah, was also a bronze medallist at the 2007 Sea Games, and a bronze medallist with the boys' team at the 2000 Asian Junior Championships.