KLANG: It was a family affair in the men’s singles final as Penang Lai brothers Yong Han and Yong Ren went head-to-head for the Malaysia Games (Sukma) Selangor table tennis gold medal.
Elder brother Yong Han, 17, eventually came out on top after a closely fought final in Bukit Raja yesterday, beating 15-year-old Yong Ren 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 12-10, 11-7.
Having trained together for years, the Penang siblings knew each other’s games inside out, making the final a far tougher challenge than the matches Yong Han had faced earlier in the competition.
And Yong Han admitted beating his younger brother was anything but easy.
"It was very difficult playing against my own brother. Against other players, they may not be as familiar with my shots," said Yong Han.
"But we have trained together for many years, so we know each other’s game very well."
The victory also erased the disappointment of Yong Han’s previous Sukma outing in Sarawak, where he missed out on a medal after losing the men’s singles bronze-medal playoff.
Yong Ren, however, had little reason to be disappointed as the gold was already guaranteed for Penang regardless of the outcome.
Yong Ren also had plenty to be proud of after reaching the final in his Sukma debut.
And should the brothers meet again at the next Sukma in Kelantan in 2028, Yong Ren hopes he can get the better of his elder brother.
"I admit I was nervous playing against my brother, but I was still happy because no matter who won, the gold medal would still belong to Penang," said Yong Ren.
"I believe I can beat him the next time if we meet again."
The brothers had already proved to be a formidable partnership earlier in the day, teaming up to win the men’s doubles gold after beating Selangor’s Lee Yong Yi-Tey Hong Yu 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 in the final.
They were also part of the Penang team that captured the men’s team title after beating Federal Territories 3-0 in the final.
RESULTS
Finals
Men's singles: Lai Yong Han (Pen) bt Lai Yong Ren (Pen) 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 12-10, 11-7.
Men's doubles: Lai Yong Han-Lai Yong Ren (Pen) bt Lee Yong Yi-Tey Hong Yu (Sel) 11-8, 11-7, 11-7.
Women's singles: Cheah Yu Zheng (Sel) bt Gan Ai Lis (FT) 12-10, 11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 11-2.
Women's doubles: Zoe Tow-Low Yu Xuan (Mel) bt Chan Kai Ming-Hannah Oh (Pen) 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 12-14, 11-8.
Mixed doubles: Cody Ting-Joanne Chen (Swk) bt Lee Yong Yi-Hun Hui Qi (Sel) 12-10, 11-4, 11-9.
