Paddler Ing Hock ends playing days with silver medal
THE curtains came down in the 9th Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games yesterday.
And it also marked the end for veteran paddler Ting Ing Hock after 14 years in the sport.
The 52-year-old Sarawakian played his last competitive match in the men’s singles T9 (mild impairment affecting the legs or the playing arm) final at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MiTEC) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Having helped Malaysia win the team gold on Wednesday, Ing Hock had wanted another gold to wrap up his career.
But he failed in his attempt as he lost 11-7, 11-911 to Indonesia’s Supriyatna Gumilar. “It’s tough to juggle my life as a coachcum-player. My time is taken up mostly by coaching. I will continue to coach because I want to share my experience and guide the younger players.
“I’m sure I can put myself to better use this way.
“I have done my part for the national team since 2003. I have won 14 golds in the Asean Para Games. I think it’s time to move on to the next level,” said Ing Hock.
Coach Ng Tong said he had expected Ing Hock to beat Supriyatna, having won in their earlier clash in the team event final.
“It was just not Ing Hock’s day. The Indonesian raised his game today and was in better form,” said Ng Tong.
Malaysia also managed to bag a silver and a bronze in the women’s singles (class 5 – wheelchair).
Clancy Chung Sow Fun’s 3-0 victory over Thailand’s Supalak Butgunha in the final round-robin match yesterday enabled teammate Tan Kee Chok to clinch the silver as the group’s runner-up.
Sow Fun ended with the bronze while Indonesian Roslinda Manurung won the gold.
Indonesia emerged as overall champions with a 14-10-4 haul followed by Thailand (9-12-12) and Singapore (2-1-4). Malaysia finished fourth with 1-2-9.