Singapore’s national women’s tchoukball team created history in Johor Bahru on 7 August when they beat reigning world champions Chinese Taipei 39-35 to clinch their first-ever gold medal at the Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championships.
The Republic had never beaten world powerhouses and defending Asia Pacific champions Chinese Taipei before. A 35-50 loss in the round-robin competition suggested that yet again, Singapore would come up second best at the Educity Sports Complex in Iskandar Puteri Johor.
But change of tactics and a disciplined performance ensured that the Singapore team would be crossing the Causeway with their first Asia Pacific title.
Said national women’s captain Tan Irene: “It’s an amazing feeling to beat the defending champions and the best team in the world. It’s always been our long-term goal to beat Chinese Taipei and we’re so proud to have achieved this feat. Credit must go to the team for a determined performance.”
Tan said that the team used their round-robin defeat to analyse Chinese Taipei’s strengths and weaknesses and come up with a game-plan to outfox their opponents.
She also attributed the team’s success to extra time spent training and analysing their game during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The women are now setting their sights on the world championships next year where winning their first world title is now a “realistic target”, said Tan, following their victory over Chinese Taipei.
Tchoukball Association of Singapore president Delane Lim paid credit to his players and coaches for their hard work, especially during the pandemic: “The win shows that the plans we have put in place for the renewal of our teams is working. Other teams sent quite senior players to the tournament. But we sent a good mix of youth and experience and that augurs well for our future.”
Men win the silver
Hopes of a double gold were dashed when Chinese Taipei proved too strong for the men’s team, winning their final 73-48.
Said Lim: “It would have been nice to win two titles but winning our first Asia Pacific title is still a great achievement. It’s our birthday present to Singapore.”
In fact Lim will be hoping his charges can add another title at the Asia Pacific Youth Tchoukball Championships in Bangkok next week (Aug 12-14).
“We have two members of the women’s winning team under the age of 18 and eligible for the tournament. Our national women’s captain Irene will also be the coach of that team so we’re hoping to continue our good form,” said Lim.
