Ting (second left) congratulating men’s open champion Desmond Ling.
SIBU: Evergreen Desmond Ling edged Lim Tin Ling 3-2 (10-12, 11-8, 4-11, 11-9, 11-9) in the open men’s singles final of the Sibu Table Tennis Championships last weekend.
Ling, the tournament’s oldest player at 57, surprised even himself when he won the title.
“I did not expect to win as all the top players were taking part,” he said. Ling said it was tough to unseat Tin Ling, who came all the way from Kuala Lumpur for the championship.
The third placing went to Amos Ling, followed by Samson Tay in fourth. Sunny Saw from Kuala Lumpur clinched the men’s Group C title after beating Lee Siaw Loon 3-1 (11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8). Brandon Tan was third, followed by Tan Ern Quan.
In the women’s open, favourite Crystal Tiong beat Tang Yung Ning 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-7) to win the title.
The third placing went to Hu Wei Jia from Miri and Sia Siew Feng. Upcoming Esther Tiong won the Group C category edging Chan Choy Xuan 3-1 (12-10, 9-11, 11-9, 12-10).
Lydia Lau was third, followed by Su Xiao Ling. In his closing remarks, Sibu Ping Pong Association (SPPA) chairman Dr Clement Chen reminded the players not to eye cash prizes in any competition.
“In the long run, this will discourage the players to train hard.”Instead, he said players ought to feel the thrill and the challenge of the game and that was what shaped a champion.
SPPA advisor Dr William Ting said learning was a life-long process and good athletes never stop learning.