SINGAPORE – The dream run of Singapore’s dynamic table tennis duo, Koen Pang and Izaac Quek, came to a close at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Finals in Fukuoka, Japan. Despite their defeat in the semi-finals, their performances have laid the groundwork for what promises to be an exciting future in the sport.

On November 22, Pang and Quek faced off against world No. 6 pair, Shunsuke Togami and Hiroto Shinozuka, losing with scores of 8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6. The Japanese team will now contest the finals against the French siblings Alexis and Felix Lebrun, who won their semi-final match decisively.

Throughout the tournament, Pang and Quek displayed exceptional skill. They made headlines earlier by defeating China’s top-ranked team, Yuan Licen and Xiang Peng, in a stunning first-round upset. Their journey, however, took a challenging turn against Togami and Shinozuka, where despite a rousing start and promising strategies, they were unable to maintain momentum.

“We entered the match with the intention to be aggressive and turn the pressure on them,” shared Pang, 22. “While we had our moments of brilliance, we also made some critical errors that ultimately cost us.”

Clearly, there is optimism in their camp. Since teaming up in 2022, the two young players have consistently improved, clinching the gold medal in men’s doubles at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia and reaching higher ranks in various international competitions. They even achieved a remarkable milestone by winning a silver medal at the Asian Table Tennis Championships, showcasing their potential on the continental stage.

Despite their promising trajectory, competing at the WTT Finals meant they had to skip the Southeast Asian Table Tennis Championships held simultaneously in Thailand. Yet, their presence in Japan didn’t go unnoticed—Quek’s semi-final prize of US$4,250 adds to their growing list of achievements.

Looking ahead, Quek, 18, is gearing up for the ITTF World Youth Championships in Helsingborg, Sweden. He expressed how his experiences in Japan have bolstered his confidence and readiness for upcoming competitions. “Playing against the best has been invaluable; I’ve learned a lot that I’ll take into my next tournaments,” he said.

In Sweden, Quek will compete in multiple events, including Under-19 boys' doubles and mixed doubles, alongside Romanian player Darius Movileanu. Reflecting on his training, he emphasized the parallels in playing styles that would aid in his preparations.

As Koen Pang and Izaac Quek continue to develop their craft, their semi-final exit serves not as an end, but as a stepping stone towards future triumphs. With the backing of the Singapore Table Tennis Association and their relentless pursuit of excellence, fans can look forward to seeing much more from these young athletes in the seasons to come.