Exciting matches and nail-biting moments await fans and players when the Southeast Asia Regional Olympic Qualification Tournament begins on Wednesday, May 8 in Bangkok. All eyes are on Singapore’s contenders, Yew En Koen Pang and Jian Zeng, who lead the charge as top seeds in this exhilarating three-day showdown.
Eighteen formidable athletes, made up of 10 men and eight women representing Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and the host, Thailand, will converge, each determined to secure a coveted spot in the men’s and women’s singles events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Pang, a former U-18 world No. 1 and Southeast Asian Games (SAE) champion, faces fierce competition from compatriot Izaac Quek, whose stellar performances in recent WTT tournaments have turned heads worldwide. Alongside Quek, Pang will clash with seasoned stars from Malaysia and Thailand, all hungry to punch their tickets to Paris. In the women’s singles, 27-year-old Zeng, a Commonwealth Games silver medalist, will need to deliver her best to earn her passage to Paris.
According to the playing system, as the number of entries for men’s singles is 10, the competition will be in two stages. The first stage will consist of three groups of three or four players in a round-robin system, with the top two players advancing to a second stage knockout system, while the winner of the knockout system will secure an Olympic berth for Paris 2024.
Meanwhile, the women’s singles, featuring eight entries, promises equally intense action, divided into two stages. The first stage will consist of two groups of three or four players in a round-robin system, with the top two players heading to a second stage knockout system, while the winner of the knockout system will claim her ticket to Paris.
Prepare for electrifying matches played in the best of seven (7) games, as Bangkok takes centre stage. Follow all the action and stay updated with the results and schedules here.
