by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

In the latter rounds of the Women’s Singles event, Lin Ye ended the hopes of Vietnam.

At the semi-final stage she accounted for Nguyen Thi Viet Linh (11-4, 11-4, 11-3, 11-1), before clinching the title at the final expense of Mai Hoang My Trang (10-12, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8, 14-12). Mai Hoang My Trang had reserved her place in the final courtesy of success in opposition to Zhang Wangling, also from Singapore (11-4, 11-7, 13-11, 11-1).

Impressive in the Women’s Singles event; earlier it had been the same in both the Mixed Doubles and Women’s Doubles events; victories at the final hurdle being secured against Indonesian adversaries.

In the former Clarence Chew and Lin Ye beat Ficky Supit Santoso and Gustin Dwi Jayanti to claim gold (11-5, 5-11, 11-4, 13-11); in the latter Lin Ye and Goi Rui Xuan accounted for Lilis Indriani and Gustin Dwi Jayanti to reserve the top prize (11-7, 13-11, 11-4).

Success upon success, earlier in the Women’s Team event, it had been just one step short of the highest prize. Unbeaten throughout, with Singapore selecting from Goi Rui Xuan, Eunice Lim, Pearlyn Koh and Zhang Wanling as her team mates; it was second place in the final order behind Vietnam’s Mai Hoang My Trang, Nguyen Thi Viet Linh and Nguyen Thi Nga.

Three titles for Lin Ye, it was two each for Clarence Chew and for Vietnam’s Nguyen Anh Tu. In addition to the Mixed Doubles gold medal, Clarence Chew partnered Ethan Poh Shao Feng to the Men’s Doubles top prize, whilst Nguyen Anh Tu enjoyed both Men’s Team and Men’s Singles success.

Furthermore, for Nguyen Anh Tu, it was almost three; at the final hurdle of the Men’s Doubles event in partnership with Dinh Quang Linh, the duo experienced defeat at the hands of the Singaporeans (11-9, 11-2, 11-7).

Silver, the colour of the medal in the Men’s Doubles event; in partnership with Dinh Quang Linh and Doan Ba Thuan Anh it had been Men’s team gold. Indonesia, selecting from Ficky Supit Santoso, Gilang Maulana, Deepash Bhagwan and Bima Abdi finished in third spot.

Singapore, who selected from Clarence Chew, Ethan Poh Shao Feng, Edric Lim Zheng Jie and Tay Ming Han Maxxe finished in third place.

The top step of the podium in the Men’s Team event; later it was the same outcome for Nguyen Anh Tu, in the Men’s Singles competition and there was an air of revenge.

In the Men’s Team event he had been beaten by Clarence Chew (11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-5) in a three-two win against Singapore; it was to prove his only defeat in the whole tournament.

At the quarter-final stage of the Men’s Singles event, he accounted for Clarence Chew in three straight games (11-6, 14-12, 11-6), before overcoming colleague Doan Ba Thuan Anh (12-10, 11-6, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9) and Singapore’s Ethan Poh Shao Feng (11-6, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9) to claim the title.

In the counterpart semi-final, Ethan Poh Shao Feng had beaten Dinh Quang Linh by the very narrowest of margins (14-12, 10-12, 9-11, 11-9, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10).

Overall 21 men and 22 women participated; the national associations represented being Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

2016 South East Asian Championships: Results and Roll of Honour