PETALING JAYA: Selangor paddler Cheah Yu Zheng gained sweet revenge over Federal Territories’ Gan Ai Lis to clinch the women’s singles gold at the Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) Selangor.
Yu Zheng, however, had to work hard for the title after losing focus midway through the final and allowing Ai Lis to take the match into a deciding game before recovering to win 12-10, 11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 11-2 at the Klang Royal City Council Hall in Bukit Raja on Sunday (Aug 23).
The victory was particularly satisfying for the 16-year-old from Cheras after she had lost to Ai Lis in the women’s table tennis team final just a few days earlier.
That defeat proved costly as Selangor went down 3-1 to Federal Territories and missed out on the team gold.
“I just played my normal game and did not think about the previous defeat to Ai Lis. I admit I lost focus in the third game, but I managed to regain my concentration in the fifth and win it,” said Yu Zheng.
“I’m very happy and grateful because I have worked hard for the past two years, and winning on home soil makes it even more special.”
Selangor, however, missed out on another gold in the mixed doubles after Lee Yong Yi-Hun Hui Qi lost to Sarawak’s Cody Ting-Joanne Chen.
Cody-Joanne took the title with a 12-10, 11-4, 11-9 win.
