Monday, January 26, 2009
12:00 AM
Happy Lunar New Year!!!
STTnews would like to wish all a Happy and Prosperous Lunar New Year!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
11:30 AM
Let Your Dream Float
Let your dreams float. That is the message from our sportsmen who will be featured in "Wonderland of Dreams", the Tote Board Family's float for this year's Chingay Parade.

The showcase include Paddlers Sim Kai Xin Zena and Pang Xue Jie, Paralympian Swimmers Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh as well as Sailors Koh Seng Leong and Terence Koh. Created by Mr Chong Tze Chien, Artistic Director of Finger Players, a leading theatre production company, "Wonderland of Dreams" will complement other highlights to leave audience with "the message of hope in their hearts, perseverance in their endeavors and kindness in their thoughts."

Apart from current athletes, former stars like Dollah Kassim, C Kunalan and PC Suppiah as well as Young Team Singapore Ambassadors also have a role to play in the popular Chingay event.

For details about voting for "Wonderland of Dreams", go to http://www.chingay.org.sg/.

(Source: Team Singapore Website)
Friday, January 23, 2009
10:55 PM
Former National Paddler Jing Jun Hong Leaps onto the Big Screen
Besides starring golden couple Fann Wong and Christopher Lee, The Wedding Game will feature our sportsperson such as Ex-paddler Jing Jun Hong, Swimmer Tao Li, Shuttler Kendrick Lee and Bowler Jazreel Tan .

Jun Hong joked in an interview that she had no choice but to take up the role as she was roped in at the last minute since all the other paddlers were away.

In The Wedding Game, Jun Hong, who plays herself congratulates Christopher Lee on his impending matrimony when they bump into each other during a morning jog at Queenstown Stadium. Her only other 'acting experience' is an Olympics promotional advertisement with table tennis champion Li Jiawei in 2000.

Rate Jun Hong's acting skills when the movie debut on Lunar New Year Eve (25th January 2009).
Thursday, January 15, 2009
2:09 PM
The Straits Times Athlete of the Year Award
The Straits Times will be launching its Athlete of the Year Award, after an exceptional year last year.

Our athletes created many histories by clinching Singapore's 1st Olympic Medal since Independance, splashing into the finals of the Olympic pool, as well as winning a Gold in the Paralympics.

Vote for our paddlers by writing a short 300 word essay about Who should win and Why he/she should win and send an email to stsports@sph.com.sg or by mail to:
The Straits Times Athlete of the Year
MacPherson Road Post Office
Locked Bag Service No. 014
Singapore 913486.

Please include your name, NRIC number, contact number and address.

The writer of the best letter will win a $500 cash voucher, with $300 and $200 vouchers going to the second and third-placed writers respectively. The deadline is noon on Jan 28, 2009. The three winning writers, and the Athlete for 2008, will be announced on Jan 30..

Will Jiawei grab the Title after being TODAY's Athlete of the Year? Or perhaps her Olympic teammates and Paralympic Gold Medalist will outshine her? Results of the three winning writers, and the Athlete for 2008, will be announced on Jan 30.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
2:30 PM
Big Plans are Afoot to Develop Singapore's Table Tennis, Especially among the Young
Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) receive over $1 million of donations at the inaugural fund-raising dinner held at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel on Monday.

The money was raised with the objectives of nurturing young talents and supporting retired national athletes through a scholarship fund. After surpassing the initial target of $500,000. The Lee Foundation alone accounted for $500,000 of the donations.

President of STTA Lee Beh Wah hoped to expedite her plans to develop local youth talent.

Plans include a kindergarten programme by the STTA and the PAP Community Foundation to teach five- to six-year-olds the basics of the sport.

A pilot scheme is currently running at Nee Soon South PCF Kindergarten till March, and if successful could be extended to other interested PCF kindergartens.

There is also a tie-up between the STTA and the Singapore Sports School to raise standards of training and help integrate foreign-born talent into Singapore's national team.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: "You are not just training the kids to play table-tennis, but at the same time, they're in school and there's an academic curriculum, so they're prepared in a more rounded way for a long-term career and even after they retire from table-tennis."

Ms Lee added that for full-time athletes who have achieved glory for Singapore, they can choose to become coaches or go for further studies. That way, they can concentrate on their sporting careers with the assurance that they have other post-athletic options. The association would also offer scholarships to promising young athletes and help them develop career pathways.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
4:56 PM
National Grand Finale - Double Happiness for Sunsports and National Paddler Yang Zi & Yu Meng Yu
SunSports Club, led by Yang Zi and Yu Meng Yu, won 2 Gold Medals after beating Shing Wah 'A' and compatriot SunSports B in the finals of the Men's and Women's Team event respectively. Yang Zi and Yu Meng Yu continued their good form by clinching titles in the Doubles Event. Partnering Gao Ning, Yang/Gao defeat Cai Xiao Li/Goh Yi Long, 3-2. Goh Yi Long then paired with Yu Meng Yu to clinch the Mixed Doubles Title.

Below is the list of winners.

Men's Singles
1st - Gao Ning
2nd - Tan Yoke Chang
3rd - Cai Xiao Li

Women's Singles
1st - Look Pei Yee Sylvia
2nd - Loh Kai Ying
3rd - Kwa Hui Qi

Men's Doubles
1st - Gao Ning/Yang Zi
2nd - Cai Xiao Li/Goh Yi Long
3rd - Pang Xue Jie/Ho Jia Ren Jason

Women's Doubles
1st - Kwa Hui Qi/Look Pei Yee Sylvia
2nd - Chng Rui Min/Loh Kai Ying
3rd - Kwa Hui Ru/Tan Hui Min

Mixed Doubles
1st - Goh Yi Long/Yu Meng Yu
2nd - Kwa Hui Qi/Benjamin Teo Yi De
3rd - Lim Jie Yan/Look Pei Yee Sylvia
Monday, January 12, 2009
8:09 AM
Women's Team Head Coach - Zhou Shu Sen
Beijing Province Head of Women's Coach Zhou Shu Sen will be taking over Liu Guo Dong as Singapore's Women's Team Head of Coach.

Coach Zhou has a vast experience in coaching.

Zhou was a Chinese National Paddler before becoming a Coach. After his retirement in the National Team in 1974, he continued to coach the team until 1978. After which, he took on the role as Zhe Jiang's Head of Women's Team Coach for 3 years. He then headed to China's Capital and became the Beijing Women's Team Head of Coach until last year.

In his many years of Coaching in Beijing, he has groomed many Champions such as Olympic Champion and World No.1 Zhang Yining, former World Cup Champion Guo Yan, as well as teenager Ding Ning. World No. 7, Li Jiawei was also once training under him.

He has also sent more than 20 paddlers into the Chinese National Team throughout his years in Beijing.

Lets hope that his experience and expertise in this area, will bring our Women's Team to greater Heights.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
5:09 PM
Tournament of Champion - History remains Unchanged
Li Jiawei settled for Bronze once again after losing to China's Zhang Yining in the Semi-Finals.

Olympic champion Zhang Yining succumbed easily to Li Jia Wei in the first set before coming back to wrap up the semifinal encounter 1-4.

Despite the lost, Li was rather satisfied with her performance. She claimed that given her current physical condition and the lack of training, she could still win one set from Zhang.

Jiawei's Beijing University Club's Coach, Liu Wei, even mentioned that Jiawei has put up a good fight and that this is one of her best matches against Zhang Yining.

The current world No. 1 declined to blame on the non-speed glued racket rather than the cold weather. "It's just too cold in the hall and I could not feel my fingers," said the Beijing native. "As long as I fixed attention on the match, it went more and more smoothly."

Li Jiawei will be taking a break after this competition.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
6:43 PM
Tournament of Champions - Olympic Semi-FInals Rematch set up at Tornament of Champions
Chinese star paddlers will resume rivalry after making it to the semifinals.

Olympic Champion and World No. 1 Zhang Yining ousted Wang Yue Gu to make the semis. Wang lost 4-1. Fourth seed Li Jia Wei of Singapore ruled out Ruta Paskauskiene of Lithuania, 11-3, 12-10, 11-7, 11-5. Li will meet Zhang in tomorrow's match at 1300 hours.

The only other European player Samara Elisabeta of Romania met 2nd Seeded World Champion Guo Yue, as the latter awaits a world championship final rematch against compatriot Li Xiaoxia who beat Feng Tian Wei in the quarters, 4-2 despite putting up a tough fight. Li Xiaoxia will fight Guo Yue for a place in the Finals.

Olympic Men's Team Gold Medalist trio all progressed with ease. Wang Hao beat Germany's teenage sensation Dimitrij Ovtcharov 11-4, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9, following Ma Lin's 11-7, 11-5, 11-8, 11-4 victory over former world cup winner Kalinikos Kreanga. Three-time world champion Wang Liqin of China defeat Chinese Taipei's No. 1 player Chuang Chih Yuan, while 4th Seed Germany's Boll Timo progress after beating Jorgen Persson of Sweden.

Wang Hao will face Ma Lin tomorrow whilst Boll Timo will face Wang Liqin.
Friday, January 9, 2009
6:27 PM
Tournament of Champions - Lady Luck on Jia wei's side!
2008 Tournament of Champion uses the November World Ranking for the Seedings. This had benefited Li Jiawei who is the 4th Seed, as she is the highest ranked non-chinese player in the tournament. Feng Tianwei is the 5th Seed and following her will be Wang Yue Gu, the 5th Seed.

Li Jiawei's has a great chance of clinching another Top 4 position, since her first round opponent is 31 years old Lithuania's Ruta Paskauskiene. Wang Yue Gu will be facing Olympic Champion and Top Seed Zhang Yining in the Quarter Finals, whilst Feng Tianwei is scheduled to meet World Cup Champion Li Xiaoxia.

However, Li is likely to end her progress in the Semi-Finals. She will most likely be meeting childhood friend Zhang Yining.

The compeition will start tomorrow. Stay Tuned for more Updates!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
5:53 PM
Tournament of Champions - Revenge by Singapore?
Germany's Boll Timo, who completed 2008 with a hat-trick of wins on the ITTF Pro Tour, heads the European challenge with compatriot Dimitrij Ovtcharov plus the uninhibited Kalinikos Kreanga of Greece and the evergreen, Jorgen Persson from Sweden, supporting the European cause. Completing the line-up is Chinese Taipei's Chuang Chih-Yuan. They will be giving their best to upset the Chinese, who is represented by Wang Hao, Ma Lin and Wang Liqin.

Meanwhile in the Women's Singles, the host's elite of Zhang Yining, Li Xiaoxia and Guo Yue will be challenged by European stars and by those who won medals at the Beijing Olympic Games. Europe is represented by Lithuania's Ruta Paskauskiene, the European champion and by the talented Romanian teenager, Elizabeta Samara; whilst the Beijing Olympic Silver Medallists - Li Jia Wei, Wang Yue Gu and Feng Tianwei will all be on duty.

Our paddlers has achieved Top 4 position in this prestigious event every year since it started in 2006. They were won by Li Jiawei and Wang Yue Gu in 2006 and 2007 respectively.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
10:44 PM
National Grand Finale - Gold for Gao Ning and Sylvia Look
Singapore Top Men paddler Gao Ning took the Men Singles title on Sunday, defeating local born Tan Yoke Chang. On his way to Champion, Gao beat defending Champion Cai Xiao Li in the Semi-Finals, whilst Tan oust out teenager Chong Hur Ying Darren.

In the Women's Singles Event, it was a fight among the teenagers. 2nd Seed Look Pei Yee Sylvia defeat Loh Kai Ying, 4-2 in the finals. Earlier in the Semi-Finals, Loh caused an upset against Top Seed Kwa Hui Qi in an intensing 7 games, while Sylvia beat Lim Yi Xuan in straight games.

The finals of other competition will continue this coming sunday.

Sunsports I and Shing Wah 'A' will be meeting one another in the finals of the Men's Team Event. It will definately be an eye opener for all of us as Sunsports I is represented by Cai Xiao Li and Ex-national Paddler Sen Yew Fai, while Shing Wah 'A' consists of National Paddler Yang Zi. The Bronze Medal playoff will be a match between the same club. Safra 'Red' led by Gao Ning will be playing against Safra 'White', which is headed by Liu Zhong Ze.

Men's Doubles finals will be as exciting. The recently crowned Pro Tour Grand Finals Champion Gao Ning/Yang Zi will fight against Cai Xiao Li/Goh Yi Long. Ho Jia Ren Jason/Pang Xue Jie will be meeting Lim Jie Yan/Chong Hur Ying Darren in the Bronze Medal playoff.

The Women's Doubles matches will once again surface the familiar teenage faces. Loh Kai Ying will partner Chng Rui Min for the Gold Medal against Look Pei Yee Sylvia/Kwa Hui Qi. Kwa Hui Ru will partner Tan Hui Min to battle against Ng Xue Qi/Zermaine Nicole Lew for the bronze medal.

Mixed Doubles Event will begin tomorrow. The match to note is Top Seed Yu Meng Yu/Goh Yi Long against Yin Jing Yuan/Lu Chun Qi Patricia.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
6:50 AM
Men's Team Head Coach: Alain Chen
French Alain Chen will be taking over Liu Guo Dong as Singapore's Men's Team Head of Coach.

In 1973, Alain entered Si Chuan Tale Tennis Sports School. 3 years later, he entered Si Chuan Provincel Team. His hardwork finally paid off when he entered the Chinese National Team in 1980.

He was a sparring partner, alongside with World Champions Cai Zhen Hua, Jiang Jia Liang, Guo Yuehua and Chen Long Can in the Chinese Table Tennis Team. His achievements as a player includes attaining a Gold in the Asian Table Tennis Championships Men's Team Event. He has even been made the Vice-Captain of the Chinese Men's Table Tennis Team.

After his retirement in 1988, Chen moved to France where he became a Coach cum Player in a French Club. During his days in France, he won the European Champion League with his team, and became a citizen of France.

3 years ago, he returned to China, and became the Head of Women's Coach in Si Chuan Province Team. In his first year of coaching, he managed to bring Si Chuan Province Women's Team to attain 8th position in the annual China Table Tennis Championships. It has been 12 years since Si Chuan Women's Team achieve such good results. 1 year later in 2007, Si Chuan Women's Team achieve 7th position in the same competition.

Lets hope that his experience and expertise in this area, will bring our Men's Team to greater Heights.

Head of Coach of the Women's Team will be announced soon.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
12:28 PM
BRIGHTEST STAR OF ALL: LI JIAWEI!

Based on the letters received from readers over their choice for Today’s Athlete of the Year, Table Tennis Star Li Jiawei beat Paralympics Gold Medalist Yip Pin Xiu, Colleagues Feng Tianwei and Wang Yue Gu to clinch the title.

Jiawei had a fruitful 2008. Li, together with Tianwei and Yue Gu, ended Singapore's 48 years of Medal drought, by winning the 2nd Olympic Silver Medal for Singapore. Also, Jiawei is the one and only paddler who is not wearing the China Colours in the Semi Finals of the Women's Singles event in Beijing.

Throughout the Beijing Olympics, Jiawei had to bear great pressure, not only as a Captain, but the hopes of all Singaporean. But there is no doubt that under tremendous pressure, Li helped deliver Olympic glory.

In addition, Jiawei shone brightly in other competitions as well. Pior to the Beijing Olympic Games, she beat World Champion and China's Guo Yue in the finals of the World Team Table Tennis Championship against China.

In April, Jiawei is the biggest winner in the ITTF Pro Tour Chile Open by winning the Women's Singles title. One month after, Jiawei caused a major upset by defeating China's Wang Nan in the Quarter Finals of the China Open. In the last Pro Tour before the Olympic Games, Jiawei partnered Sun Bei Bei to win the Women's Doubles Title on home soil. The doubles pair has also achieve many Silver Medals in Kuwait, Brazil and Chile Open.

More recently, Li broke new grounds in the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals, where she once again partnered Sun Bei Bei to win the Women’s Doubles Title in Macau. The best result our paddler ever attained in this prestigious event is in 2005, where Jiawei clinched 2nd in the Women's Singles.

She is Today’s Athlete of the Year 2008. The greatest year in Singapore sport.

Note: Feng Tianwei and Wang Yue Gu managed to achieve the 3rd and 5th position on the list.




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