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Out of agony, comes bronze
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PICTURES: ST, AFP
Out of a loss that would have floored so many others, she rediscovered belief.
Mixed it with her undoubted talent, it proved such a potent mix for Singapore table tennis star Feng Tianwei, who stormed past Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa in the battle for third place in the women’s singles of the 2012 Olympic Games here yesterday.
Feng unleashed a torrent of winners against her hapless opponent to post an emphatic 4-0 win (11-9, 11-6, 11-6, 11-5) and claim the bronze medal.
The 25-year-old’s feat saw her join Tan Howe Liang as the only individual Singaporean medallists at the Olympics, after the weightlifter’s silver at the 1960 Rome Games.
Little wonder Feng could not stop smiling after her win.
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Comments
Feng is a role model
Feng is a role model sportswoman, humble, respectful, talented and full of fighting spirit, a rare gem which still can be much refined and polished as she is still young. Singapore should invest more in her overseas training based on her massive positive qualities and you bet she will beat China's top paddlers in due course. Feng is not far away in terms of skill and speed compared to China's NO: 1 & 2 lady paddlers. The world had seen her in action in this Olympics, she can and will be a threat to the China's top guns, taking two sets off China's No: 1. Coach Jing had done a great job, nursing, encouraging and motivating her against all odds and nerves. Jing is like a mother grooming a grown-up teenager, successfully drawing the best fighting spirit and confidence in Feng. Both of them are inseparable, do reward Jing for her coaching role in this bronze medal success. Feng deserved the monetary rewards but I believe money was not on her mind in this Olympics, she just wanted to win a medal for Singapore and bring joy to all Singaporeans. I was sick when I watched live her heroic feat crushing the Japanese paddler in four straight games, shouting whenever she won a single point, forgetting that I was almost bedridden. Praying throughout Feng's bronze match for her victory, God not only answered my prayer but God did more when Feng thrashed Ishikawa mercilessly. After her victory, being sick, I went back to sleep with joy in my heart, thanking God in my heart for blessing Feng, her family and not forgetting all Singaporeans. Singapore should nurture more young men and women paddlers, learn from Feng when she is still around and one day China's supremency will be history. Feng, we Singaporeans salute you for your fantastic efforts, no shame that you lost in the semi-final, you put up a very tough fight against China's No: 1, won two sets, this was already a victory for Singaporeans. I suggest to encourage Feng further, new Singapore stamps with Feng's portrait be issued in her honour, we are all over the moon!