WEEKLY ROUND-UP: Sports happenings in Singapore (2-8 May)
SINGAPORE — Here is a round-up of sports events and developments in Singapore in the past week (2 to 8 May):
Singapore fall 1-4 to Indonesia in opening Thomas Cup match
Singapore lost 1-4 to powerhouses Indonesia in their opening group series at the Thomas Cup finals in Bangkok on Sunday (8 May), despite reigning badminton world champion Loh Kean Yew scoring a superb win over his higher-ranked opponent.
The 24-year-old world No.10 defeated world No.5 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 21-13, 21-14 in the first singles to give Singapore a 1-0 lead in the elite team competition. However, Indonesia drew level after a tough battle in the first doubles, with Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto eventually coming out 21-14, 19-21, 21-12 winners over Terry Hee and Loh Kean Hean.
World No.8 Jonatan Christie gave Indonesia a 2-1 lead, after he beat Singapore's Jason Teh 21-19, 21-13. Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana then sealed the series victory when they beat Singapore's Danny Bawa Chrisnanta and Andy Kwek 24-22, 21-14 in the second doubles.
In the third singles, Shesar Hiren Rhustavito defeated Joel Koh 21-16, 21-7 for the final 4-1 scoreline.
Singapore will next face South Korea on Monday, before finishing their group matches against hosts Thailand on Wednesday.
Injured Lin Ye pulls out of SEA Games table tennis title defence
Singapore's SEA Games table tennis team suffered a major setback in their medal hopes, as defending women's singles champion Lin Ye withdrew after a flare-up of her old back injury.
The Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) said in a media release on Friday (6 May) that the 26-year-old is under strict doctor’s orders not to resume any physical training for the next few weeks.
Lin's women's singles and doubles spot will now be taken by 17-year-old Zhou Jingyi, while her mixed doubles spot will be taken by 21-year-old Wong Xin Ru, who will partner Koen Pang. Zhang Wanling, 22, will join the women’s team competition.
Lion City Sailors return to SPL with 4-3 win over Hougang
Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions Lion City Sailors resumed their title defence with a 4-3 win over Hougang United at Hougang Stadium on Friday (6 May) to stay atop the league table after eight matches.
After completing their maiden AFC Champions League campaign in Thailand last week, the Sailors got their fourth straight win thanks to a hat-trick from striker Kim Shin-wook (24th, 42nd, 56th minutes) and winger Maxime Lestienne (15th). Hougang replied through Andre Moritz (36th, 94th) and Pedro Gomes (87th).
On Saturday, Albirex Niigata (Singapore) leapfrogged over early pace-setters Tanjong Pagar United after beating them 2-1 at Jurong East Stadium. Kodai Tanaka (33rd) and Masaya Idetsu (45th) scored for Albirex while Reo Nishiguchi replied for Tanjong Pagar.
Tampines Rovers climbed to second spot on Sunday, four points behind the Sailors, after a 2-1 win over Balestier Khalsa. Zehrudin Mehmedovic (32nd) and Boris Kopitovic (59th) scored for the Stags, while Balestier replied through Gareth Low (15th).
The weekend's round of SPL matches saw spectator capacity limits being lifted, following the easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in Singapore. Food and beverage can also be supplied and consumed at all matches,
All spectators must be fully vaccinated before being allowed to gain entry. While safe distancing will no longer be required, mask-wearing is encouraged once inside the stadium.
Singapore to host Sail Grand Prix leg next January
Singapore will be hosting a leg in the third season of the Sail Grand Prix on 14 and 15 January next year, the first time the sailing competition will hold one of its legs in Asia.
The event - which is the eighth of the 10-legged season - will see hydro-foiling F50 catamarans hitting the waters of Singapore over at East Coast Park's Parkland Green.
Teams will race for two podiums in Singapore, as the world-first Impact League returns for the season, tracking the positive actions teams make in terms of sustainability and inclusivity.
The season will kick off this month in Bermuda, before heading to Chicago, Plymouth, Copenhagen, Saint-Tropez, Cádiz and Dubai before reaching Singapore. Following the Singapore leg, the teams will head to Christchurch before finishing the season in San Francisco.
As part of SailGP’s Better Sport Strategy, the Singapore Sail Grand Prix will also include female athletes as part of the league’s Women’s Pathway Program plus introduce the sport to young people from diverse backgrounds through SailGP’s youth and community outreach program SailGP Inspire.
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