Triumphant Return to the Asian Podium as Singapore Shines in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, India — Singapore’s national women’s table tennis team made a resounding return to the Asian stage, capturing the bronze medal at the 28th ATTU–ITTF Asian Table Tennis Team Championships after a four-year absence from the podium.
The spirited squad — Zeng Jian (28), Ser Lin Qian (19), and Loy Ming Ying (14) — showcased grit and determination throughout the competition, culminating in a hard-fought semifinal appearance against Asian giants Japan, led by Miwa Harimoto, Honoka Hashimoto, and Satsuki Odo. Despite their best efforts, the Singapore women’s team bowed out 0–3 to settle for bronze — sharing the podium with the Republic of Korea.
Singapore’s Impressive Road to the Semi-finals
Before their semifinal clash, Singapore put together a four-match winning streak, displaying dominant form in the group stages. They swept Maldives and Kazakhstan 3–0 in back-to-back matches, then delivered a commanding 3–0 “Causeway Derby” victory over Malaysia to book their spot in the quarterfinals.
The highlight came when the Singapore women pulled off one of the tournament’s biggest surprises — a thrilling 3–2 upset over hosts India, securing their place among Asia’s top four and reclaiming their place on the podium for the first time since 2021.
Also part of the squad were Tan Zhao Yun (20) and Chloe Lai (18), both contributing to Singapore’s strong team depth and promising future in women’s table tennis.
Building on a Proud Legacy
This bronze marks Singapore’s first medal at the Asian Championships since Lin Ye, Wong Xinru, Goi Rui Xuan, Zhou Jingyi, and Zhang Wanling shared bronze with Hong Kong in 2021. The result underlines Singapore’s continued relevance in a sport long dominated by East Asian powerhouses such as China, Japan, and Korea.
Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) officials hailed the achievement as a significant milestone in the team’s rebuilding journey, highlighting the successful integration of emerging young players into the senior setup.
Singapore Men’s Team Finish Ninth
The Singapore men’s table tennis team also delivered commendable performances, finishing ninth overall. The team — comprising Izaac Quek (19), Koen Pang (23), Clarence Chew (29), Josh Chua (24), and Ellsworth Le (16) — topped their group with dominant 3–0 wins over Oman and Uzbekistan.
They later overcame Thailand 3–1 in the Position 7–11 playoff before narrowly falling 1–3 to the Islamic Republic of Iran in their quarterfinal qualification bid. Their final 3–2 victory over Kazakhstan secured ninth place in the overall standings.
Eyeing the World Championships in London
Both Singapore’s men’s and women’s teams have now positioned themselves strongly for qualification to the 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships in London, with the top 13 finishers from Asia earning qualification spots.
With a mix of seasoned campaigners and rising young talents, Singapore’s table tennis future looks bright as the teams continue their quest for global success.
Key Highlights
🥉 Women’s Team: Bronze medal — first Asian podium since 2021
💪 Quarterfinal Triumph: Singapore defeated hosts India 3–2
👏 Men’s Team: Finished 9th after victory over Kazakhstan
🌍 Road to London 2026: Both teams in contention for World Championships qualification
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