Singapore Secures Trio of Olympic Table Tennis Qualifiers

Singapore’s national table tennis team has secured another Olympic berth, with 19-year-old Zhou Jingyi joining Izaac Quek and Zeng Jian in qualifying for the Tokyo Games. Zhou Jingyi, the youngest player on the team, earned her qualification through the Asia Oceania Qualification Tournament held in Doha, Qatar. She defeated Hong Kong’s Ng Wing Nam in a thrilling seven-set match to book her spot. This marks the first time in Singapore’s history that three table tennis players will represent the country at the Olympics. Quek and Zeng had previously qualified through the Asian Singles Qualification Tournament in Amman, Jordan. Zhou Jingyi’s qualification is a testament to her immense talent and hard work. She has been a rising star in the Singapore national team, winning numerous medals at the regional and international levels. “I am beyond excited to qualify for the Olympics,” said Zhou Jingyi. “This is a dream come true, and I can’t wait to represent Singapore on the biggest stage.” Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) President Ellen Lee expressed her delight at the team’s success. “This is a historic moment for Singapore table tennis,” Lee said. “Three players qualifying for the Olympics is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our athletes.” The Singapore trio will now prepare for the Tokyo Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 8. They will be hoping to emulate the success of Feng Tianwei, who won Singapore’s first-ever Olympic medal in table tennis at the 2012 London Games.Singaporean Teenager Zhou Jingyi Qualifies for Paris 2024 Olympics

Singaporean Teenager Zhou Jingyi Qualifies for Paris 2024 Olympics

On June 12, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) officially confirmed the qualification of 19-year-old Singaporean Zhou Jingyi for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Ranked 63rd in the Race to Paris, Zhou has earned her place as the top Asian player yet to qualify. This achievement makes Zhou the youngest local table tennis player to qualify for the Olympics, surpassing Tan Paey Fern who qualified for Athens 2004 at the age of 30. Zhou’s journey to the Olympics has been marked by consistent improvement and remarkable achievements. At the age of 12, she became the first Singaporean to win the ITTF World Hopes Week and Challenge in Luxembourg. A year later, she rose to fifth place in the ITTF Women’s Under-15 World Rankings, becoming the youngest Singaporean to crack the top five. Following further victories at the junior and cadet level, Zhou transitioned to the senior national team in January 2022. Despite facing knee injuries in recent years, her determination and resilience have been unwavering. Zhou’s Olympic aspirations revolve around gaining experience and exposure on the international stage. She intends to approach her matches with the same mindset as any other competition, aiming to perform at her best. National women’s coach Jing Junhong expressed pride in Zhou’s achievement, highlighting her journey and the lessons she has learned along the way. She believes these experiences will contribute to her growth both as a person and a player. Meanwhile, men’s singles player Koen Pang is also in contention for Olympic qualification based on the June 18 world rankings. Seventeen other Singaporean athletes have already secured their places for Paris 2024, including athletes from athletics, badminton, canoeing, equestrian, fencing, rowing, sailing, and swimming.Singapore’s Zhou Jingyi Secures Olympic Qualification Alongside Quek, Zeng Singapore’s Zhou Jingyi, a 19-year-old table tennis sensation, has joined her teammates Izaac Quek and Zeng Jian in qualifying for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Zhou secured her spot in the women’s singles event after reaching the quarterfinals of the Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament in Doha, Qatar. She defeated several higher-ranked opponents along the way, showcasing her immense talent and determination. The qualification process was particularly challenging due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted international sporting events. Despite the obstacles, Zhou and her fellow Team Singapore athletes persevered and demonstrated their resilience. With her Olympic berth confirmed, Zhou becomes the third Singaporean table tennis player to qualify for the Tokyo Games. Izaac Quek secured his spot in the men’s singles event, while Zeng Jian earned a place in the mixed doubles category alongside Lin Ye. Zhou’s qualification is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She has been training diligently under the guidance of national coach Jing Junhong and has made significant progress over the past few years. The Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) expressed its delight at Zhou’s achievement and congratulated her on her Olympic qualification. STTA President Ellen Lee said, “We are thrilled for Jingyi. This is a well-deserved reward for her hard work and talent. We are proud of her and wish her all the best in Tokyo.” Zhou, who is ranked 150th in the world, will be making her Olympic debut in Tokyo. She is excited for the opportunity to compete against the world’s best and hopes to represent Singapore with pride.