Impressive against China’s Ding Ning in the semi-finals of the Women’s Singles event but eventually beaten in six games; Feng Tianwei clinched the bronze medal on the afternoon of Wednesday 1st August, beating Japan’s Jasumi Ishikawa in four straight games.
Feng Tianwei won 11-9,11-6,11-6,11-5.
According to seeding and World ranking it was a surprise; according to experience and relative playing levels it was not.
Four years ago Feng Tianwei led Singapore to the silver in the Women’s Team event; four years ago Kasumi Ishikawa was focused on junior events; she was not in the team at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Witnessed Heat of Battle Feng Tianwei had witnessed the heat of the Olympic battle and she had risen to the occasion; she had been the player to guide Singapore to Olympic silver.
In the crucial semi-final duel against Korea, she beat both Dang Yeseo and Park Miyoung.
Most pertinently, she beat Park Miyoung with the scores level in the fixture; she won the vital concluding match.
Relishes Olympic Venue Furthermore, it would seem that Feng Tianwei relishes the Olympic occasion.
Results have been average, to say the least, on the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour.
Important Win Was the quarter-final victory over Korea’s Kim Kyungah the turning point for Feng Tianwei?
Rarely in the past had Feng Tianwei beaten Kim Kyungah; in fact in international competition only once. Also, she had been beaten comprehensively by Kim Kyungah in the Women’s Singles final at the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour Brazil Open in Santos one month earlier.
The win over Kim Kyungah gave the Singaporean a massive injection of confidence.
Confidence Grew Win a tough match, especially against an opponent against whom you have a poor record and confidence blossoms.
It was to some extent the same scenario in the contest against Kasumi Ishikawa; the first game was close. Feng Tianwei won the game, confidence blossomed.
The next three games saw Feng Tianwei gain in confidence by the second as she progressed to victory.
Reward for Coach A bronze medal for Feng Tianwei and to some extent it was a bronze medal for Jing Jun Hong, the Singapore coach on duty.
In the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, she had been beaten in the bronze medal match by Chinese Taipei’s Chen Jing.
Third Medal Success for Feng Tianwei and third ever Olympic medal for Singapore with Feng Tianwei being involved in two of three occasion.
In 1960, Tan Howe Lang won silver in the Men’s Lightweight Weightlifting Class; 48 years later in 2008, Feng Tianwei lined up with Li Jiawei and Wang Yuegu to secure Women’s Team silver medal success.
Now in 2012, the Singapore medal haul is increased thanks to Feng Tianwei.
Medal Elusive Meanwhile, for Japan an Olympic medal remains elusive; today for Kasumi Ishikawa it hurts, every day a little less.
Meet in Rio de Janeiro Fourth place in a first Olympic Games was a fine effort and the pain of defeat might be the motivator for success in Rio de Janeiro.
Equally could it be Feng Tianwei versus Kasumi Ishikawa again?
Tony Tan Keng Yam, the President of Singapore (red shirt) on his feet in support of Feng Tianwei Photo by Mariann Domonkos
