by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Notably both Junior Boys’ Singles and Junior Girls’ Singles finals were all Singaporean affairs; in the former, Ethan Poh Shao Feng accounted for Lucas Tan (11-9, 7-11, 8-11, 12-10, 17-15, 11-6) in the latter Nicole Lew Zermaine overcame Eunice Lim (11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5).
“I am really happy with this win as this will be my final year playing in the South East Asian Junior and Cadet Championships. This victory is sweet as I have participated in the competition ever since I was 15 years old. Now, I look forward to more challenges and I will aim to scale greater heights.” Ethan Poh Shao Feng
Likewise, there was gold and silver for Singapore in the Junior Girls’ Doubles event and in the Junior Mixed Doubles competition.
Tan Enhui and Zhang Wanling beat Goi Ruixuan and Wong Xinru in the Junior Girls’ Doubles final (6-11, 11-2, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9); in the Junior Mixed Doubles title decider, Ethan Poh Shao Feng and Wong Xinru overcame Gerald Yu Zong Jun and Goi Ruixuan (11-2, 12-10, 14-12).
Four titles, the one further title on the concluding day of play was secured in the Cadet Boys’ Singles event; Pang Yew En Koen beat Thailand’s Chanpen Chettanabodi (9-11 11-4, 11-13, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5) to reserve the top step of the podium.
Success for Singapore, there was also success for Thailand as the individual events concluded. Yanapong Panagitgun and Pattaratorn Passara beat colleagues Purit Verakultawan and Pankhoyoi Supakorn (7-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-7) to win the Junior Boys’ Doubles event, whilst Kola Nanapat accounted for Malaysia’s Kuan E. Xian (11-8, 11-9, 11-5, 11-6) to be crowned Cadet Girls’ Singles champion.
The previous day Singapore’s Dominic Koh Song Jun and Pang Yew En Koen had beaten Thailand’s Chanpen Chetthanabodi and Sanglertsilpachai (11-3, 11-7, 11-8) in the final of the Cadet Boys’ Doubles event; in the counterpart Cadet Girls’ Doubles competition, Malaysia’s Kuan E. Xian and Karen Lyne Dick had overcome Vietnam’s Bui Ngoc Lan and Do Nguyen Uyen Nhi (11-8 8-11 11-8 11-5).
Earlier in the week, Thailand who selected (Pattaratorn Passara, Yanapong Panagitgun, Supakorn Pankhoyoi, Purit Vevakultawam) had won the Junior Boys’ Team title, with Singapore (Zhang Wanling, Wong Xinru, Nicole Lew Zermaine, Goi Rui Xuan) securing gold in the counterpart Junior Girls’ Team competition.
Meanwhile, Singapore (Pang Yew En, Andy Wong, Dominic Koh) had also won the Cadet Boys’ title; the Cadet Girls’ Team title being secured by Malaysia (Kuan E. Xian, Karen Lyne Dick, Chong Xin Yee).was
A successful tournament and a most successful tournament for the hosts; Singapore concluded matters with eight gold, five silver and five bronze medals.
23rd Southeast Asian Junior and Cadet Championships: Full Results