Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Singapore paddlers calm nerves ahead of world test

SHAH ALAM – Faces scrunched in concentration, there was no let-up in their rallies as Team Singapore table tennis players Feng Tianwei and Yu Mengyu went through their training paces under the watchful eyes of coach Chen Zhibin at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam Saturday (Feb 27).

SHAH ALAM – Faces scrunched in concentration, there was no let-up in their rallies as Team Singapore table tennis players Feng Tianwei and Yu Mengyu went through their training paces under the watchful eyes of coach Chen Zhibin at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam Saturday (Feb 27).

The national women’s team – who are ranked fifth in the world – are ready to get their medal campaign at the World Team Table Tennis Championships underway, as they face Group C opponent France (19) on Sunday morning, before putting in double duty against Ukraine (14) in the evening. 

The journey to Kuala Lumpur has not been smooth sailing for the Singaporeans, who have been hit by a number of issues in recent months. A coaching shake-up by the Singapore Table Tennis Association last November saw veteran coach Jing Junhong redeployed to the youth team, with China-born German Chen appointed just weeks before the championships. 

Feng, who played a key role in Singapore’s historic world championships victory in 2010, has struggled with her competitive form in recent months, while local-born player Isabelle Li is recovering from knee injuries. With a sports psychologist onboard to help the team focus mentally, Feng is ready to get cracking here in Malaysia. 

“Although our early opponents are not that strong, we cannot underestimate them. So the first four matches are very important,” said the 29-year-old.

“I’m still quite nervous because we have a new coach and this is an important tournament before the Olympics Games and we only have a few months left. We have a sports psychologist here with us and she will help us get over this big match and prepare us mentally.”

Added Yu: “The first match is always a bit nervous for me. We had a change in coach and I’ve had to adjust my playing style a little. But it’s good that we are meeting stronger teams like the Netherlands last so I have more time to adjust my physical condition and get used to the competition venue.”

The men’s team will kick off their Group C campaign Sunday against Poland, who are ranked 17 places above Singapore at world No 12.

Men’s team championship division:
Group A: China, Austria, Taiwan, Greece, Czech Republic, North Korea
Group B: Germany, Sweden, France, Denmark, England, Malaysia
Group C: Japan, Portugal, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Singapore
Group D: South Korea, Hong Kong, Russia, Croatia, Romania, Italy

Women’s team championship division:
Group A: China, Taiwan, Romania, Hungary, Spain, Malaysia
Group B: Japan, Germany, North Korea, Czech Republic, Thailand, Brazil
Group C: Netherlands, Singapore, Poland, Ukraine, France, Belarus
Group D: Hong Kong, South Korea, Austria, Russia, United States, Sweden

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.