Paddlers Dominate At STTA National Grand Finale

2020/2021 STTA National Table Tennis Grand Finale

Singapore Sports School paddlers triumphed at the 2020/2021 Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) National Table Tennis Grand Finale, held at the Lee Kong Chian Table Tennis Training Hall from 18 to 28 March 2021, reaping the bulk of the medals and sweeping the top two spots in the Singles and Doubles events.

This year’s STTA National Table Tennis Grand Finale is a unique one – there were no team and mixed doubles events, yet the organisers received a record-breaking number of more than 400 entries for the Singles and Doubles events.

Defending champion of the Women’s Singles event, Zhou Jingyi (Secondary 4) maintained her title, while also securing a silver at the Doubles event, together with Ser Lin Qian (Secondary 3). Lin Qian also finished strong, gaining another silver in the Women’s Singles.

“I feel grateful to my coaches and my teammates who have helped me to train and improve to retain the title. During trainings, my coaches would offer both skills and mental support like ways to improve my backhand and how to train well on days that were not so smooth-sailing,” said Jingyi of her win.

Paddler Ethan Poh Shao Feng (Extended DBS) repeated his feat to clinch the title for Men’s Doubles, while paired with Izaac Quek Yong (Secondary 3). Ethan also powered through to emerge as champion for the Men’s Singles. Alumna Goi Rui Xuan and Zhang Wanling (Extended DSLM) displayed exemplary pair work in the Women’s Doubles to win gold. Wanling also put in a commendable performance in the Women’s Singles, netting herself a bronze.

“It was very exciting to be back in action after more than a year of no competitions. It was challenging playing against my seniors like Wanling and Rui Xuan at the Doubles event as they are very skilled,” Jingyi said, adding that she gleaned some new knowledge on other types of game plans to use during future tournaments from the round.

RESULTS

Men’s Singles

1st – Ethan Poh Shao Feng

2nd – Beh Kun Ting

3rd – Andy Wong Yan Kai, Izaac Quek Yong

Men’s Doubles

1st – Ethan Poh Shao Feng and Izaac Quek Yong

2nd – Beh Kun Ting and Tay Jit Kiat

3rd – Andy Wong Yan Kai (with Lim Dao Yi), Gerald Yu Zong Jun and Tan Wei Xiang

Women’s Singles

1st – Zhou Jingyi

2nd – Ser Lin Qian

Joint-3rd – Wong Xin Ru, Zhang Wanling

Women’s Doubles

1st – Goi Rui Xuan and Zhang Wanling

2nd – Ser Lin Qian and Zhou Jingyi

Joint-3rd – Eunice Lim Zoe and Pearlyn Koh Kai Xin