PHNOM PENH – In two editions of the SEA Games, Zeng Jian played in four table tennis finals and lost all of them.

The losses continued to rack up with a poor performance in the mixed doubles final in Cambodia, resulting in a lecture from her coach.

But on Tuesday, the Singaporean finally pocketed her first SEA Games gold, and she did so in dramatic fashion in the women’s singles final.

She led 3-0 against 2015 women’s singles champion Suthasini Sawettabut, was pegged back at 3-3, but prevailed 4-3 (11-8, 11-8, 11-9, 3-11, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9).

The 26-year-old said: “After so long and so many tries, I finally won a gold medal. From my SEA Games debut last year, I never expected it to be this difficult. I really wanted to win a gold medal and, on the last day of competition this year, I fulfilled my goal.

“In the decider, my mind went blank but I told myself I have to believe in myself and that, in this battle, I have to be the last woman standing. Every tournament is a test and I will try my best to achieve more breakthroughs.”

Earlier in the day, Zeng showed tremendous spirit to beat Thailand’s defending champion Orawan Paranang 4-1 (11-7, 6-11, 12-10, 11-9, 15-13).

Zeng had to produce more fighting spirit in the final. She won the first three games, but Suthasini was stung into a stirring comeback to force a decider.

The turning point came at 8-8 in the seventh game when Zeng’s forehand shot clipped the edge of the table, and the umpire called it out. After a brief impasse, the decision was overturned.

With momentum back on her side, Zeng finally got the gold medal she craved for when her opponent pushed a forehand return long. Backed by the loud cheers and applause from the Singapore contingent, she could no longer contain her emotions as she trembled and wept.

National women’s table tennis coach Jing Junhong said: “I scolded her because I wanted to stimulate and spur her, and stem her errors. I feel today a 4-3 win is more valuable than a 4-0 win and this breakthrough will be good for her development.

“We lack a leader after our key players retired. I have high expectations and demands of Zeng because her technique is of a higher level compared to the rest. I hope she can step up and become a pillar who can maximise her talent.”

In the men’s singles final, Izaac Quek also went to the top of the podium again with another composed performance beyond his age. The 16-year-old outfoxed Vietnam’s top player Nguyen Anh Tu to win 4-0 (11-3, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7) and become the country’s youngest SEA Games champion in the event.

Teammate Koen Pang was the previous youngest men’s singles champion when he won the 2019 edition at 17.

The teenage sensation has been a revelation at these Games, completing a hat-trick that includes the men’s team and doubles titles.

Izaac, who turns 17 on May 26, said: “Eight years ago, I was watching Gao Ning and Clarence Chew play at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.

“Now, one is my coach, another is my teammate. And Koen... is my doubles teammate.

“I’m very happy and this is the most special birthday present I’ve got. This gives me a lot of confidence moving forward and, in the longer term, I want to win an Olympic medal.”

National men’s team coach Gao said: “Izaac is a rare local-born player who has the talent, good foundation skills, modern technique, diligence, understanding of the game and the ability to be composed and adjust tactically during matches against various opponents.

“The men’s team also did very well to exceed expectations. Even when they faced difficulties, they never gave up and stayed united.”

The golden finish helped Singapore reclaim both singles golds they last won in 2019, as they usurped Thailand at the top of the table with four golds, two silvers and three bronzes.

This is an improvement from their haul of two golds, three silvers and four bronzes from Hanoi in 2022.

They will return to Singapore on Wednesday and travel to South Africa on the same day for the May 20-28 World Table Tennis Championships in Durban.

Singapore Table Tennis Association president Poh Li San credited the players for their “tremendous fighting spirit towards the end of the tournament”, noting that the men’s team “are a testament to our system working well in terms of identifying and training local-born talents”.