Thailand are looking strong heading into the semi-finals of the Under-18 boys' singles event at the 20th Southeast Asian Junior (SEA JR) Table Tennis Championships.
They have three paddlers through to the last-four of the event at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas. Thailand already have three gold medals to their name after winning the U-18 mixed doubles, U-15 boys' doubles and U-15 girls' doubles events.
Thailand's Suparat Wisutmaythangkoon defeated Serknight Benaya of the Philippines 3-0 to be the first one through. He will face compatriot Nitipat Pimrat, who overcome Edric Lim Zheng Jie of Singapore 3-2. Komgrit Sangpao is the other Thai who booked the berth in the semis after beating Vietnam's Bguyen Duc Tuan 3-0.
His next opponent will be Malaysia's Mohamad Hashri Fitri, who triumphed 3-0 over Francis Garganian of Philippines. Singapore have got three paddlers in the semi-finals of the U-18 girls' singles. Lin Ye booked her berth in the last-four after defeating Thailand's Apichaya Sritavarit 3-0.
She will face compatriot Yee Herng Hwee, who overcame Indonesia's Aisyah Farad Aini by the same scoreline. Ang Wan Qi was the other Singaporean through in the category after beating Pham Thi Thu Huong of Vietnam 3-0. Thailand's Orawan Paranang stands in her way to the final, after she defeated Indonesia's Gustin Dwijayanti 3-1.
In the U-15 boys' singles, Jann Mari Nayre of the Philippines was the first through after defeating Marcello of Indonesia 3-0. He will face Lucas Tan of Singapore, who overcame Jaren Choong of Malaysia by the same scoreline. Thailand's Panagitgun Yanapong progressed into the semi-finals after winning 3-1 against Rahmat N Pakaya of Indonesia.
He will face compatriot Pattaratorn Passara, who fended off Ethan Poh of Singapore 3-2 to set up the encounter. Over in the U-15 girls' singles, Thailand's Monapsorn Saritapirak defeated Ana Geila Borbon of the Philippines 3-1. She will take on Rina Sintya of Indonesia, who defeated Singapore's Linda Zeng Zi Yue 3-1.
Another Thai, Cathareeya Pounsri, is also through to the last-four after edging Zhang Wanling 3-2. She will face Desi Ramandanti of Indonesia, who cruised to a 3-0 victory over Tey Ka Ying. The semi-finals will begin today from 10am onwards before the prize presentation which is slated for 3pm.
