FIRST WIN: Event main sponsor Joseph Chong (left) presenting the champion trophy to Mitchell. Looking on at left is SPPA deputy chairman Ling Ching Ann.
SIBU: Former national player Tay Choon Chai from Kuching and current state player Mitchell Ling from Sibu romped to victory in the Sibu Open and Category C table tennis championship held here recently.
Tay had to dig deep before overcoming Sibu rising star Edward Ling 3-1 (11-8, 4-11, 11-8, 12-10) to lift the title.
The second and third placings went to Teng Chan Hong and Desmond Ling respectively.
For Mitchell, she had to come back from a set down (6-11) before winning the remaining three sets (11-4, 11-9, 13-11) to edge Sibu’s Sia Siew Ching 3-1 to win the title.
The 18-year-old student of SMK Tung Hua was elated with the title which she won for the first time.
Sia Siew Hung was third, followed by Crystal Tiong Hui Rong in fourth place.
For Category C Boys’, Kwang Chin Pin was champion after knocking off Alex Ng Zhui Hung 3-1 (14-12, 12-9, 10-12, 11-9). The third placing went to Ho Chan Wei, followed by Phang Kang Kian, fourth.
For Category C Girls’, Tay Yi Ning, the daughter of Choon Chai, secured the title with an easy victory over Sibu’s Karen Lynn Dick. The third and fourth placings went to Su Kuong Ai and Dixie Chai respectively.
More than 100 participants, including those from Sabah and Brunei, took part in the two-day championship organised by Sibu Ping Pong Association (SPPA).
Speaking at the closing ceremony, SPPA president Vincent Lau Lee Ming expressed his happiness over the large number of participants.
“The more players, the better it is for the competition for it will not only make the competition competitive but also help raise the standard of the game,” he said.
Lau also called on the organising committee to ensure that they would be able to attract the large number of participants in future championships.
“Our objective is to create awareness and to upgrade the standard of the sport and through a closely fought competitions, it will ensure an eventual development of the players.”
Lau also noted the participation of non-Chinese players in the game, saying it was in line with the call from the Sports Commissioner to open up the game to all races.
“This should be encouraged as it will not only help foster racial harmony but also make the various races understand each other’s culture.”