#Men doubles upset seeded pairs for podium finish
Philippines, 07 December, 2019 – The Table Tennis Association Malaysia (TTAM) delivers two bronze medals in SEA Games 2019 today, better than the one bronze medal targeted for the Games.
The medals came from the two men doubles pairs, Choong Javen/Amos Ling Yi Heng who beat top seeded Singapore pair Clarence Chew/Ethan Poh (3-2) and Muhammad Ashraf Haiqal/Wong Qi Shen who beat 2nd seeded Thailand pair Tanviriyavechakul/Wisutmaythang (3-2) in the quarterfinals yesterday. It is the first in Malaysia’s table tennis history to have two men doubles pair entering semi-finals in SEA Games, securing Malaysia with two bronze medals.
They played a good fight in their semi-final matches today but could not repeat their sensational win yesterday before bowing out to 3rd seeded Vietnam and 4th seeded Singapore pairs respectively. Choong Javen/Amos Ling lost to Doan Ba Tuan Anh/Nguyen Anh Tu (1-3) while Muhammad Ashraf/Wong Qi Shen lost to Singapore pair Chua Josh Shao Han/Pang Yew En Koen (2-3).
“Though both pairs are unseeded they played good thrilling games. Muhammad Ashraf/Wong Qi Shen nailed the last set winning 11-9 over their top seed Singapore pair. We are pleased with their improved performance overall. Moreover, three of our players (Amos, Javen and Qi Shen) are below the age of 20. The future of Malaysia’s table tennis is bright.” said Dr. Chin, Vice President, Table Tennis Association Malaysia.
Malaysia’s podium players and bronze medal prospect Karen/Ho Ying crashed out in the quarter-final to top seed Feng Tianwei/Lin Ye (1-3).
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Karen/Ho Ying were given a bye in the Round 16. Unfortunately, the draw was not in their favour to clash with the top seed pair from Singapore in the quarter-finals stage,” said Dr. Chin.
Malaysia’s other women doubles Alice Chang/Tee Ai Xin bowed out early in Round 16 to Vietnam pair Mai Hoang My Trang/Tran Mai Ngoc (0-3). Wong Qi Shen, Muhammad Ashraf, Tee Ai Xin and Alice Chang will play in their respective singles event starting tomorrow (8 Dec).
