Youngest Competitors in Auckland Enjoy First Table Tennis International Experience

Age is no barrier for Desiree Hung from Hong Kong and Jay Ong from Malaysia who are the youngest girl and boy competitors at the KVB Kunlun 2010 New Zealand Table Tennis Junior and Cadet Open. Both players are born in June, 2000 – Hung being on the 29th and Ong on the 16th. Amazingly for the nine-year-olds, they are both too young to nominate for the 2010 ITTF World Hopes Team!

Hung began to play when she was seven years old and she is well coached by Luo Jia Jia in her native Hong Kong.

The petite right hander displays good technical skills and has a cool on-court demeanour. These are certainly two attributes that will hold her in good stead in the future. For the moment, playing for fun and enjoyment is the primary concern for Hung, but in the future she one day hopes to represent Hong Kong at senior level. The KVB Kunlun 2010 New Zealand Junior and Cadet Open is her first taste of international competition, but surely it will not be her last.

On day one of competition she didn’t show any visible sign of nerves and recorded her first international victories. Pairing up with Ng Yuen Wai for Hong Kong ‘B’ in the doubles match against New Zealand ‘A’, Hung showed a steady hand as the Hong Kong pair recorded a tight three games to two victory. This match gave them the edge in the contest and Hong Kong ‘B’ went on to win the match by three matches to one. Later in the day against Tahiti, she posted victories in her singles and doubles match as Hong Kong won by three matches to zero to confirm their top place in Group 2.

Ong is also competing on the international stage for the first time. The right handed pocket dynamo possesses good allround skills and a sharp mind for table tennis. He began to play when he was seven years old and he lives in Auckland, New Zealand although he still holds a Malaysian passport. He is coached by James Han and is very adapt to learning quickly. Watching him play it is evident that he understands how and why the ball reacts in different ways, which is logical given he is also very gifted academically. When asked of his greatest strength, he was quick to say his forehand loop.

On day one of competition Ong performed admirably in the Cadet Boy’s Team event. When playing against Fiji ‘A’ in round two, he recorded his first singles victory at international level over when he overcame Park Young Jun in straight games. Following this, he paired up with team mate Lim Yi Heng in the doubles match to record a three games to one victory which ensured Malaysia came out victorious to the tune of three matches to zero.

Both Hung and Ong are bright prospects for the future. Both are receiving quality coaching, both have very supportive families and more importantly at this age both thoroughly enjoy to play table tennis. All are key ingredients to ensuring improvement is constant; however international results can wait for a later date, for the moment participation and enjoyment is the key.

The tournament continues until Friday with the Oceania senior championships starting on Monday at the Auckland Table Tennis Association Headquarters at Gillies Ave, Epsom