Paddlers Power Play Their Way Against Top Youth Talents

Singapore Sports School paddlers embraced the opportunity to pit their skills against top youth talents from 7 countries at the 5th Singapore Invitational Junior & Hopes Tournament. Back after a three-year hiatus, the event was jointly organised with the Singapore Table Tennis Association from 30 May to 3 June at the Sports School Auditorium. 192 talented paddlers competed in 16 categories consisting of both singles and team events.

In the Under-18 Boys’ Team category, Secondary 4 paddlers Nicholas Tan, Jayden Tan Kai Yang and Koh Junhao rallied together and provided good competition to secure 2nd place eventually. Secondary 3 student-athletes Ellsworth Le and Loy Xing Yao converged at the tournament floor after rounds of play, and both took home the joint 3rd position in the Under-15 Boy’s Singles. Ellsworth and Xing Yao also teamed up with fellow Sports School paddler Zhou Jinghe in the Under-15 Boys’ Team where they played well to beat the competition and win first place.

Ellsworth Le reflected on the competition: “I feel that my performance was good and I hope to improve my level of play. At the same time, I have discovered some weaknesses that I would like to improve on before the next competition. The toughest match was the Singles semi-finals and I learnt that I need to be confident when I play as my mental state while playing matters a lot.”

Lively competition was also seen in the girls’ categories. Secondary 3 paddler Rhiannon Tey Yu Qian teamed up with rising stars Loy Ming Ying and Janelle Chiang Rui En from Secondary 1 in the Under-15 Girls’ Team event. The trio played well, hustled for every point and ended the competition in 2nd place.

“I felt that this competition has taught me many things. For example, I learnt to overcome my fear of losing. I focused on winning point by point, instilled in myself the ‘never-say-die’ attitude, and eventually won my matches. I felt that my performance in this competition could be improved, and I was quite satisfied with my performance in the team event. As for the singles event, I am sure I can do much better than this.

The toughest match was the team event semi-finals, as I was down the first 2 sets. I returned, won the other 3 sets, and got my group to the finals. I learnt that I cannot give up and always fight for every point regardless how far the gap is. There is always a possibility of winning if you are determined to fight for your goal,” shared Rhiannon.

U15
Girls' Team
2nd – Loy Ming Ying, Janelle Chiang Rui En and Rhiannon Tey Yu Qian

Boys' Singles
Joint 3rd – Ellsworth Le and Loy Xing Yao

Boys' Team
1st – Ellsworth Le, Loy Xing Yao and Zhou Jinghe

U18
Boys' Team
2nd – Nicholas Tan, Jayden Tan Kai Yang and Koh Junhao

It was joy for our amazing paddlers who brought home 5 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze medals from the 2023 SEA Youth Championships held in Brunei Darussalam from 13 to 18 June! The regional championship between juniors and cadets was an important platform for those who seek to qualify for the Asian Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships.

Secondary 1 table tennis gem Loy Ming Ying continued her impressive form on the tournament table after winning 2 gold medals in the Under-15 Girls’ Singles and Doubles events. Ming Ying then participated in the Under-15 Girls’ Team event with Janelle Chiang Rui En and their performance was good enough to secure the silver medal.

Seasoned national team paddler Ser Lin Qian also added to the tally with 2 gold and 1 bronze medals. Her first gold medal was clinched in the Under 19 Girls’ Singles, and the other with Nicholas Tan in the Mixed Doubles events. Lin Qian secured the bronze in the Under-19 Girls’ Team event together with Janissa Cheng and Chloe Lai. Adding to the final gold tally of the tournament were dynamic duo Ellsworth Le and Zhou Jinghe in the Under-15 Boys’ Doubles event.

Smashing results, paddlers!

Gold
U15 Girls' Singles - Loy Ming Ying
U15 Girls’ Doubles - Loy Ming Ying (with partner Eudora Lee)
U15 Boys’ Doubles- Ellsworth Le and Zhou Jinghe
U19 Girls’ Singles - Ser Lin Qian
U19 Mixed Doubles - Ser Lin Qian and Nicholas Tan

Silver
U15 Girls’ Team - Loy Ming Ying and Janelle Chiang Rui En
U15 Boys’ Team - Ellsworth Le, Zhou Jinghe and Jaryl Wong Yi Zhong
U17 Boys’ Singles - Matthew Ellis Jingyang
U19 Girls’ Singles - Chloe Lai Neng Huen

Bronze
U19 Boys’ Singles - Loy Xing Yao
U19 Boys’ Doubles - Jayden Tan and Loy Xing Yao
U19 Girls’ Team - Ser Lin Qian, Janissa Cheng Yoke Ning and Chloe Lai Neng Huen
U19 Boys’ Team - Jayden Tan, Nicolas Tan, Koh Junhao and Loy Xing Yao
U19 Mixed Doubles - Loy Xing Yao (with partner Eudora Lee)