SEA Games 2025: S’pore’s Izaac Quek hungry for more after retaining table tennis treble

BANGKOK – Having retained his treble of SEA Games table tennis titles, Singapore’s Izaac Quek has set his sights on bigger goals.

The world No. 139, who completed back-to-back hat-tricks after defeating Indonesia’s unranked Bima Abdi Negara 4-0 (11-6, 11-8, 11-3, 13-11) on Dec 19, is aiming to do well at the Asian Games and wants to climb up the world rankings in 2026.

He said: “Right now there’ll be other goals. The next SEA Games will be in another two years, so for now, I’m just focusing on the Asian Games, focusing on getting my world ranking up.

“I’ll definitely not stop here, getting two triple gold medals. I think that there’s much more that’s coming, so I hope that I can do better and do well in higher-level tournaments as well.”

The 19-year-old got off to a slow start at the Central Westgate Mall as the Indonesian, 28, led twice in the opening two sets.

But a strong third set gave Quek the confidence to see out the fourth in the best-of-seven final.

He added: “The previous edition, I was just here giving out my all and I had no pressure. I was 16, 17 years old, playing against all the region’s best.

“I think this time is much different, because everyone’s eyes were on me and everyone was trying to win against me.”

When asked about his squad’s performance, men’s national coach Gao Ning said with a laugh: “I’m very happy that my players won the gold medals. I might even be happier than them.

“The tournament was not easy at all. The pressure of the Games showed and our opponents stepped up, but we found a way to win. We hope to get a good result at the Asian Games next year. As athletes, they should not rest on their laurels and we will go back and work harder.”

On his Asiad debut in Hangzhou in 2023, Quek had reached the round of 32 in the men’s singles. He also reached the last 16 in the men’s doubles with Koen Pang.

In Bangkok, he won the men’s team event with Pang, Josh Chua, Ellsworth Le and Clarence Chew on Dec 14, before picking up the men’s doubles title with Pang on Dec 17.

His latest win takes Singapore’s medal tally in table tennis to four golds, one silver and two bronzes.

At the 2023 edition in Cambodia, Singapore won four golds, two silvers and three bronzes.

Singapore Table Tennis Association president Poh Li San said she was very happy with the results as “it was quite unexpected”.

She added: “Because this time around, our team is actually very young, with four out of 10 of them being debutants and with an average age of 22 years old.

“Many of them, especially the first timers, feel this is a nerve-racking experience. But I think they have really fought hard, gained a lot of confidence, also exposure. So I think this will put them in a good position for the next SEA Games in Malaysia and thereafter, in 2029 in Singapore.”

When asked who stood out for her at these Games, she singled out 19-year-old Ser Lin Qian, who clinched a 3-1 (12-10, 11-6, 2-11, 11-4) win over 2021 women’s singles champion Orawan Paranang in the group stage.

Ser also led against 2015 champion Suthasini Sawettabut in the women’s singles semi-finals before the Thai turned the tables to win 3-2 (6-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-7, 12-10) to reach the final, where she beat Orawan 4-3 (14-12, 5-11, 2-11, 7-11, 11-6, 13-11, 11-8).

Women’s national coach Jing Junhong said: “Although we did not win many gold medals, it was very heartening to see the growth of our youth players when they are playing in their matches.

“It was a shame that Zeng Jian could not retain her women’s singles title, but Suthasini and Orawan are on similar skill level, so it really depends who shows up on the day.”