Lau (left) hands over the incentives to Tiong.
SIBU: National paddler Crystal Tiong is looking forward to another smashing year after reaping a successful 2016 season with a string of accolades .
The 17-year-old student of SMK Methodist has been on a roll and her success is largely attributed to her tough regimen under the supervision of coach Kong Tuong Sing.
“Nothing comes easy and success can only be attained through hard work and perseverance,” Sibu Table Tennis Association (STTA) chairman Dr Clement Cheng commented.
Cheng had every reason to believe that Tiong could soar higher this year, given her strong commitment towards the sport.
“I can see that her passion for the sport remains very much intact and if the love is there, then her dream for more titles is within her own grasp,” he added.
Tiong expressed satisfaction over her performance, saying there were still the dark moments when she failed to perform to expectations.
“Hopefully, this year I can continue to represent the country and take part in as many international tournaments as possible.”
Last year, Tiong took part in three international championships and returned with respectable results.
In the Asean Schools U-18 Table Tennis Championship in Chiangmai, Thailand, she emerged second runner-up in doubles category after a tight battle with her opponent from Thailand.
She also helped the country get the first runner-up spot in the team event.
Tiong also took part in the 22nd South East Asian Junior & Cadet Table Tennis Championship held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia last July and helped the national team bag the second runner-up title.
In the individual events, she managed to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Tiong also represented the country for the Asia Table Tennis Championship held in Singapore.
She did not return with a flourish in the Asia championship. But to her the trip was a good exposure.
Closer to home, Tiong partnering Sia Hsiao Ching, lifted the title in the Women’s U-18 category of the National Table Tennis Championship.
Her other collections included the gold medal in the Sarawak Table Tennis Championship U-18 category and the third placing in the Open category.
In the Women’s U-18 doubles category, she paired up with Sia to emerge third.
Meanwhile, Tiong raked in the biggest amount of incentives STTA provided for players during STTA thank-you dinner held here last Sunday.
STTA president Temenggong Datuk Vincent Lau Lee Ming handed out the incentives.