SEA Games medal not beyond snooker ace Chuan Leong

National snooker player Thor Chuan Leong.

KUALA LUMPUR: National snooker player Thor Chuan Leong looks set to keep his medal-winning run at the Singapore SEA Games next month.

Chuan Leong has been one of Malaysia’s most consistent medallists since his first Games in Laos in 2009. He has won seven medals thus far – two silvers in Laos, one gold and one bronze in Indonesia (2011) and a gold and two bronzes in Myanmar (2013).

And there’s no reason to doubt his ability to bring back more from Singapore when billiards and snooker cue off at the OCBC Arena Hall 4 from June 6-10.

“Yes, I hope I can keep my run of medals going ... I’m targeting one gold,” said Chuan Leong, who will be playing in the singles and doubles snooker events.

“Winning the singles will be tough ... I could face Thailand in the second round. So, my best bet will be in the doubles,” added Chuan Leong, who will partner Moh Keen Ho in the doubles.

In Myanmar, the duo won bronze in the doubles event and they also finished third in the singles.

Chuan Leong also admitted that he will have it tough not only against favourites Thailand and the Philippines, but “other teams also”.

But Chuan Leong believes the key to winning gold will be to keep calm and remain sharp.

“We’ll play the way we always do ... if we think too much, we’ll put too much pressure on ourselves and that’s when we make mistakes,” said Chuan Leong, whose gold medal in Myanmar came from the 6-red snooker singles event.

With the 11-time world champion “King of Billiards” Mike Russell as head coach, one can surely expect Thor to hammer his way to victory again.