Clement Chen (ninth right) lifts the Tan Thian Kee challenge trophy as the Sibu contingent celebrate their victory in the 57th Sarawak Table Tennis Championship at the Serian Community Hall on Saturday.
KUCHING: Sibu successfully defended their overall championship crown when they captured eight gold, eight silver and seven bronze medals at the 57th Sarawak Table Tennis Championship that ended at the Serian Community Hall on Saturday.
In the five-day meet in which 10 teams contested 16 individual categories, Sibu got off to a good start by winning the Girls U18 team and Men’s Veteran team events.
This was followed by victories in the Open Singles by Crystal Tiong Hui Man, Girls U15 singles by Sia Hsiao Ling, Girls U10 singles by Constance Tiong Hui Yuan, Men’s Veteran 55 singles by Ling Kah Nge, Women’s Veteran 40 singles by Lim Ah Bee and Women’s Doubles by Crystal Tiong-Sia Hsiao Ching.
Kuching fought a good battle to finish a close second with seven gold, six silver and seven bronze medals.
Other teams taking part were Samarahan, Serian, Betong, Sarikei, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang.
“Last year, we also won the overall championship in Kuching so I am really happy to have achieved the outstanding results this year. Many people have put in great efforts to make this happen,” said Sibu Division Table Tennis Association chairman Clement Chen who was also the team manager.
He attributed Sibu’s success to hard work and good teamwork from the players and the coaches, the strong support from the association’s committee members, the parents, all well-wishers, as well as the sponsors and many more.
“It’s the persistency and never give up attitude that saw so many great achievements,” added Chen as he pointed to the example of Women’s Open champion Crystal Tiong who had lost to the player from Miri on three occasions during the tournament.
On Friday night, he revealed, she and her coach put in more than two hours to correct the weakness in her backhand return .