BIRMINGHAM – National men’s singles table tennis player Choong Javen’s eagerness to kill off his opponent in the final game of the men’s team quarterfinals proved costly for Malaysia as they ended up losing 3-2 against Nigeria at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games today.
Choong won the first set 11-7 before Nigerian Quadri Aruna staged a comeback by winning the next three sets 8-11, 5-11, 9-11 to secure Nigeria’s spot in the semifinals at the National Exhibition Centre here.
“Yes, we achieved the target (of reaching the quarterfinals) just now, but after leading the first set in the final game, I lost my momentum and allowed (my) opponent to come back,” he said after the match.
The 21-year-old now intends to make up for his mistake by going all out in the men’s singles and men’s doubles.
In today’s quarterfinals, Malaysia started well with Choong and his partner Wong Qi Shen delivering the first point against Amadi Omeh-Bode Abiodun, beating them 6-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-7.
Nigeria then took the tie with Aruna’s 11-9, 6-11, 11-5, 11-5 victory over Leong Chee Feng.
Malaysia pulled ahead with Wong’s 12-10, 14-12, 11-5 win over Abiodun, only to let Olajide Omotayo make it 2-2 after he beat Chee Feng 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6.
Malaysia’s hope for a medal in table tennis now hinges on the women’s squad as they take on Wales in the semi-finals later today. – Bernama, July 31, 2022
