There was joy for Singapore’s U11 Boys team as Neo Cheng Ming and Tan Ruixiang clinched 2nd and joint-3rd respectively in the U11 Singles Event at the WTT Youth Contender Vientiane 2024.

After topping their respective groups with 3-0 and 4-0 records, both players, from STTA’s Junior Development Squad (JDS), secured a bye to the Quarterfinals.

In the Quarterfinals, Neo beat his Thai opponent, Atthanon Jamnongpak, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7, to set up a semifinal clash against Tan, who beat JDS teammate Ang Ray Teng, 11-8, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9.

In the all Singapore semifinal, it was Neo who emerged victorious, as he came from behind to defeat Tan, 5-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 and clinch a place in his first ever WTT Youth Series final.

Despite his best efforts, Neo could not out match Wen Han Sen of Chinese Taipei, as he had to settle for 2nd after a 1-3 (8-11, 5-11, 11-8, 4-11) defeat.

Kudos also to Gabriel Low, who made the quarterfinals but narrowly missed out on a place in the Semis after losing to Chotirun Nantachaiwut of Thailand, 2-3 (15-13, 10-12, 11-7, 10-12, 10-12).

The performances of the young boys is testament to the hard work that they put in during their daily training and to the coaching team at JDS.