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Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Izaac Quek becomes first local-born Singapore player to join China Table Tennis Super League
Izaac Quek will follow in the footsteps of China-born Singaporeans to play in the prestigious tournament. PHOTO: ITTF SINGAPORE – Featuring China's best current players, up-and-coming starlets and retired legends, the China Table Tennis Super League (CTTSL) is widely regarded as the sport's most competitive league. And Izaac Quek is hoping his stint with Anhui Zhongcheng will help take his game to the next level after becoming the first local-born Singapore player to join the CTTSL. He will follow in the footsteps of China-born Singaporeans such as Feng Tianwei and current national men's team coach Gao Ning to play in the prestigious tournament, the standard of which is seen by some as comparable to the world championships. While his club comprise relatively unheralded players such as 34th-ranked Wen Ruibo, Ning Xiankun (133rd) and Niu Guankai (175th), Quek will get the chance to pit his skills against the world's top two players Lin Shidong and Wang Chuqin, as well as Olympic champions such as Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin, who no longer compete on the World Table Tennis circuit. The 19-year-old, who has played in leagues in India, France and Spain, told The Straits Times: 'This is the best league in the world and not everyone gets to play in it, so I want to make full use of this stint to learn as much as I can from the best players in the world. 'Wen is 18 and I kept in touch with him after previous competitions, and I'm also looking forward to test myself against Fan, whom I have not played against. I've heard there will be two team matches in a day for four days in a row, so I have to get myself physically ready for this challenge.' Quek missed the June 6-10 first stage of the competition in Hebei as he was helping Dabang Delhi to a top-four finish in India's Ultimate Table Tennis from May 29 to June 15. He will make his CTTSL debut in the July 25-28 second stage in Fujian before the Aug 29-Sept 1 third stage in Xinjiang. Anhui Zhongcheng are currently sixth out of nine teams, with the top four sides advancing to the championship play-offs. Eddy Tay, Singapore Table Tennis Association senior manager for high performance, shared that the opportunity arose from their relationship with Anhui Zhongcheng, who provided sparring partners for the STTA. He added: 'While their club president was here with the players, we talked about whether it would be possible for them to recruit Izaac. They felt that at his age, Izaac has potential and room for growth, and hope that his youth and competitiveness will help them. 'We have made a request for him to play as much as possible as we don't want to send him there just to sit on the bench. We hope he can gain as much experience as possible training with and playing against the Chinese.' Singapore's first Under-15 boys world No. 1 in 2021, Quek had enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past few years, as he claimed notable scalps such as India's Commonwealth Games champion and Sharath Kamal and Sweden's 2019 world championships silver medallist Mattias Falck en route to a career-high men's singles ranking of 55th in November 2023. He also teamed up with Koen Pang to achieve some outstanding results in the men's doubles, as they stunned China's then world No. 1 Yuan Licen and Xiang Peng to reach the last four at the WTT Finals in 2024, when they also won silver at the Asian championships. In January, they rose to fifth in the world. However, Quek's ranking has slipped to 106th in the men's singles and 12th in the men's doubles as he started a business diploma course at Ngee Ann Polytechnic after the 2024 Olympics. But both the STTA and the player are not unduly worried. 'There are mitigating factors for the dip as he is just making the transition to polytechnic and has not played in as many competitions as before,' Tay said. 'Despite recent losses, including narrow defeats at the world championships, we feel Izaac has generally done well and has improved in terms of his consistency and overall game play in both the singles and doubles.' Tay said: 'We will need to strategise in terms of his tournament plan. The players' world ranking is not of such a big concern now as it would be in 2027 before the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. So we are devoting more time to training, and the overseas stints will have great value for his development.' On his part, Quek has made adjustments to his game to take lesser risks and try to be stronger in rallies. He has also increased the duration of each of his endurance exercises from 10 to 15 minutes in his 12 training sessions across each week. He said: 'I was on a honeymoon period in 2023 when many players didn't know much about me, and things were going well for me and I had some wins in big tournaments like the Singapore Smash. 'This year, I still had some good wins against strong opponents, such as China's top-30 player Chen Yuanyu at the 2025 Asian Cup group stage, but they were not in such tournaments with a lot of ranking points. 'I feel my game is stronger now and I'm more experienced, so I'm not focusing on the ranking now. I just need to focus on my game and naturally, the ranking will come.' Before his CTTSL debut, Quek will spearhead a group of 10 Singaporeans competing at the June 26-July 2 Asian Youth Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He said: 'My focus will firstly be on motivating the younger ones to get some wins with me in the team event first, before my singles event later. 'My game is good enough for this level and there's no player there that I think I have no chance to beat, and I think we have good players in our team too.' David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Formation of WTT India will lead to the country hosting more international events
In a major boost to the table tennis ecosystem in India, the World Table Tennis (WTT) — the events' arm of the International Table Tennis Federation — has formed WTT India, with an eye on hosting more high-profile world-ranking events in the country. India has joined a select group of countries like China, Singapore, Japan, Germany and the US to have domestic WTT event companies. A. Sharath Kamal, who retired earlier this year, has come aboard as the brand ambassador of WTT India, while Vita Dani, the co-promoter of franchise-based league Ultimate Table Tennis and an ITTF governing council member, will join as a member of the board of directors. 'You will start to see more WTT events and more international events. Eventually, in the next few years, you will start to see some of our bigger events coming here, whether that's Champions, we will explore Smash in the future as well. 'Although it's a different road to get that, hopefully even World Championships and big events on that scale,' Steve Dainton, Group CEO of ITTF, told The Hindu. 'Having people that are working day to day on World Table Tennis will help us achieve that quicker than having just us based out of Singapore trying to make it happen.' Sharath was excited to be a part of the project. 'This moment feels like the turning of a page. The sport has come so far in India, and now, with WTT officially here, we have the chance to elevate it like never before,' he said. 'I am proud to represent this next phase — not just as a player, but as someone who truly believes in the potential of Indian table tennis.' India at present hosts two annual WTT events, a Star Contender and a Youth Contender series tournament. The number is likely to double in the next 12-month cycle with the new partnership. 'We only have to grow from here. I am hoping that we as a country are able to host (the) 2036 Games and if that is the case, then this would be an ideal roadmap to lead up to the Olympics in India. I don't think we can ask for a better opportunity than this or a better partnership than this as far as table tennis is concerned,' Vita said. 'As you have seen, India has done exceedingly well in the last seven to eight years, better than ever before. For us to really ensure that we tap into the right talent, we get the right champions ahead, the WTT partnership will bring a lot of value to us and I think it's important for us as a country to have a partnership like this.'
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
India to host more international table tennis events, courtesy WTT India
In a major boost to the table tennis ecosystem in India, the World Table Tennis (WTT) – the events arm of the International Table Tennis Federation – has formed WTT India, the India chapter, with an eye on hosting more high-profile world-ranking events in India. WTT India, the event management company, was formed earlier this month, with India joining a select group of countries like China, Singapore, Japan, Germany and USA to have domestic WTT event companies. A. Sharath Kamal, the legendary paddler who retired earlier this year, has come aboard as the brand ambassador of WTT India, while Vita Dani, the co-promoter of franchise-based league Ultimate Table Tennis and an ITTF governing council member, will join as a member of the board of directors. 'You will start to see more WTT events and more international events. Eventually, in the next few years, you will start to see some of our bigger events coming here, whether that's Champions, we will explore Smash in the future as well. Although it's a different road to get that, hopefully even World Championships and big events on that scale,' Steve Dainton, Group CEO of ITTF, told The Hindu. 'Having people then that are working day-to-day on World Table Tennis will help us to achieve that quicker than having just us based out of Singapore trying to make it happen.' Sharath was excited to be a part of the project. 'This moment feels like the turning of a page. The sport has come so far in India, and now, with WTT officially here, we have the chance to elevate it like never before,' he said. 'I am proud to represent this next phase — not just as a player, but as someone who truly believes in the potential of Indian table tennis.' India at present hosts two annual WTT events, a Star Contender and a Youth Contender series tournament. The number is likely to double in the next 12-month cycle with the new partnership. 'We only have to grow from here. I am hoping that we as a country are able to host 2036 and if that is the case, then this would be an ideal roadmap to lead up to the Olympics in India. I don't think we can ask for a better opportunity than this or a better partnership than this as far as table tennis is concerned,' Dani said. 'As you have seen, India has done exceedingly well in the last seven to eight years, better than ever before. For us to really ensure that we tap into the right talent, we get the right champions ahead, The WTT partnership will bring a lot of value to us and I think it's important for us as a country to have a partnership like this.'
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Table Tennis World Championships 2025: China's Sun Yingsha, Wang Chuqin win singles titles
China swept the singles titles at the Table Tennis World Championships again, with Wang Chuqin securing a dominant 4-1 victory over Hugo Calderano in the men's final and Sun Yingsha retaining the women's crown on Sunday. World number one Sun overcame a stubborn challenge from Wang Manyu, outwitting the world number two in a thrilling final to clinch gold with a 4-3 victory in Doha. Former champion Manyu, who beat Sun in the 2021 final, fought back from two games down and saved four championship points to take the contest down to the wire. 'We have played each other many times since childhood. So, every time we meet in the finals, it would be a tough match,' Sun said. No.1 seed living up to her billing ☝️ Sun Yingsha defeats Wang Manyu 4-3 to lift the Geist Prize for the second straight time 🔥 #ITTFWorlds2025# — World Table Tennis (@WTTGlobal) May 25, 2025 The 24-year-old started well, winning the first two games 11-6, 12-10. Manyu bounced back to dominate the next two games, and was a point away from winning the fifth but Sun saved the game point and took it 12-10. Sun quickly took a 10-6 lead in the sixth game, putting her a point away from winning the championship, but Manyu held her nerve to win the next three points. The defending champion pushed for victory with a forehand that Manyu barely got her paddle to, but the ball soared up high and nicked the table, putting Wang level at 10-10. Manyu seized the momentum to win the sixth game 13-11 and took a 3-0 lead in the decisive seventh. 'At that time, my mentality fluctuated a little bit,' Sun admitted. Sun, who had beaten Wang in nine of their previous 10 meetings, rallied to win the seventh game 11-7, however, to secure the title. 'Every day I fought hard... and I cherished each game. And I'm extremely happy I managed to stand till the last,' Sun added. World number two Wang claimed his first singles gold at the World Championships, beating Calderano 4-1 to avenge his loss to the Brazilian at last month's World Cup. World number three Calderano, the first Brazilian to win the World Cup, was no match for Chuqin's speed as the Asian Cup winner forced Calderano on to the defensive. 'After losing (at) the World Cup, I fell into doubt, especially during my training,' said Chuqin. 'So, I had a challenger's mindset.' Chuqin, who lost the 2023 final to compatriot Fan Zhendong, took the first two games 12-10, 11-3, and although Calderano bounced back in to win the third 11-4, the Chinese regained control to seal victory. Earlier, Japan won the men's doubles title for the first time in 64 years, with Hiroto Shinozuka and Shunsuke Togami edging out Chinese Taipei's Lin Yun-ju and Kao Cheng-jui 3-2. FULL LIST OF MEDALLISTS Men's Singles Gold - Wang Chuqin (China), Silver - Hugo Calderano (Brazil), Bronze - Truls Moregard (Sweden) and Liang Jingkun (China) Women's Singles Gold - Sun Yingsha (China), Silver - Wang Manyu (China), Bronze - Mima Ito (Japan) and Chen Xingtong (China) Men's Doubles Gold - Hiroto Shinozuka (Japan) and Shunsuke Togami (Japan), Silver - Lin Yun-ju (Chinese Taipei) and Kao Cheng-jui (Chinese Taipei), Bronze - Felix Lebrun (France) and Alexis Lebrun (France), Florian Bourrassaud (France) and Esteban Dorr (France) Women's Doubles Gold - Wang Manyu (China) and Kuai Man (China), Silver - Bernadette Szocs (Romania) and Sofia Polcanova (Austria), Bronze - Shin Yubin (Korea) and Ryu Hanna (Korea), Miwa Harimoto (Japan) and Miyuu Kihara (Japan) Mixed Doubles Gold - Sun Yingsha (China) and Wang Chuqin (China), Silver - Shin Yubin (China) and Lim Jonghoon (Korea), Bronze - Cheng-i-ching (Chinese Taipei) and Lin Yun-ju (Chinese Taipei), Miwa Harimoto (Japan) and Sora Matsushima (Japan)
Qatar Living
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Living
Qatar's Abdulwahab creates history, enters Round of 64 in TT Worlds
By QLNews • 18 May 2025 08:05 Qatar's Mohamed Abdulwahab created history on Saturday when he became the first player from the country to enter the Round of 64 of an ITTF World Table Tennis Championships. At the Lusail Multipurpose Hall and Qatar University Sports Complex, he overcame New Zealand's World No.104 Alfred Della Pena in the round of 128, taking the game 4-0 (11-5, 11-2, 15-13, 11-1). Abdulwahab delivered a commanding performance to become the first Qatari player ever to enter the tournament's main draw. 'I'm proud of this result, especially knowing even some of the world's best players were knocked out in the first round,' he was quoted as saying. 'Qualifying for the next stage is a huge honour for me — my happiness is indescribable,' he added. Hometown glory Mohammed Abdulwahhab overcomes Alfred Dela Pena 4-0 on home turf to secure a historic R64 spot #ITTFWorlds2025 #TableTennis — World Table Tennis (@WTTGlobal) May 17, 2025 Abdulwahab had also been chosen to take the players' oath during the opening ceremony. 'That itself was already a moment of great pride for me. So this result builds on that, and I hope to continue performing at my best in the upcoming rounds,' he said. He will take on Sweden's World No.15 Anton Kallberg in the next round. Meanwhile, the World Championships kicked off in right earnest on Saturday, with tenth seed Dang Qiu requiring late inspiration to fend off a dangerous challenge from Croat Filip Zeljko (11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-8). Qiu will play Tom Jarvis in the round of 64. Jarvis overcame Benedek Olah 4-1 (11-7, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8, 11-5) to make it to the next round. Brazilian Giulia Takahashi made a great start to her singles debut at the Worlds with a ruthless 4-0 win over Nigeria's Hope Udoaka (11-3, 11-1, 11-6, 11-8). China's Sun Yingsha kickstarted her title defence with a complete performance, brushing aside Ukraine's Veronika Matiunina in dominant fashion (11-5, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7). Japan's seventh seed Satsuki Odo began her championship with a confident 4-0 victory (11-5, 11-10, 11-8, 11-5) against Chilean Paulina Vega. South Korea's Shin Yubin delivered a similarly decisive 4-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3) result against New Zealand's Lisa Gear, while Taiwanese Li Yu-Jhun defeated Cuban Daniela Fonseca 4-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5). Romanian Andreea Dragoman overcame Thailand's Jinnipa Sawettabut 4-1 (11-5, 6-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-7) in a thriller. --- Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content. Instagram - @qatarliving X - @qatarliving Facebook - Qatar Living YouTube - qatarlivingofficial Log in or register to post comments 7 Historic Forts to Explore in Qatar This Eid By Qatar Living · 0 · 1 month 2 weeks ago Discover Qatar's rich history this Eid by exploring its iconic forts. From the UNESCO-listed Al Zubarah Fort to the scenic Barzan Towers, each site offers a glimpse into the country's past. Whether you're a history buff or looking for a unique adventure, these forts provide the perfect getaway. Fascinating Facts About Qatar You Probably Didn't Know By Qatar Living · 2 · 5 months 1 week ago Qatar is a land of fascinating stories, rich traditions, and surprising wonders. From its unique flag to ancient purple dye production, there's so much more to discover about this vibrant nation. Read on to explore Qatar like never before! Beat the Heat: 5 Tips to maintain your car this summer By Qatar Living · 2 · 3 weeks 5 days ago When Qatar's summer temperatures hit extreme highs keeping your car cool isn't just a luxury, it's a necessity. Here are some smart and practical tips to help your vehicle stay cooler and safer during the hottest months. Post to Forum
