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More glory for Team Republic as the Male Tennis team brought
home the silver medal against all odds. After two weeks of intense competition
and months of dedicated and tireless training, the 2006 season is finally over
for Team Republic’s Tennis team. Though it ended in heartbreak for the Female
Tennis team who marginally lost out on a Bronze medal, it ended on a high for
the Male Tennis team who clinched the silver medal after 3 long years of
waiting, and a lifetime of will and determination to win. Congratulations to
Team Republic’s Tennis team, for adding yet another medal to our tally.
Team Republic vs TP
The journey began on 25 October 2006, where
RP was scheduled to play TP to kick start their POL-ITE games. However due to
the inclement weather, play had to be postponed till Saturday, 28 Oct. Not
letting the sudden change of events affect the team, the Tennis (M) team came
out victors with a 3-2 win over TP. Ahmad Kamil clinched the
deciding rubber in style after both teams were locked at 2-2. The Tennis (F)
team also proved their worth by cruising to a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately luck was
not on their side f, as they lost the three singles games, leading to a 2-3 loss
overall.
Team Republic vs NYP
Next up was Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP).
After a morale boosting victory against TP the previous Saturday, Team RP had
the confidence going into this tie. The Tennis (M) team came out resounding
4-1 winners, displaying some breath-taking shots and inviting cheers from
the supporters. Not to be outdone, the Tennis (F) team displayed great character
after having lost to TP and came out all guns blazing to take the tie 4-1.
It certainly took will and desire to bounce back the way the team did.
Team Republic vs ITE
No doubt, rapport within the team was great
and Team RP now had even more hunger and spirit against their next opponents,
ITE. ITE may be perceived as the weakest team by the institutions this season,
but there was no way Team Republic was going to view them as pushovers. The team
had all of their game faces on - focused and determined. Showing no mercy,
both Tennis (M) and (F) teams won 5-0. The belief for medals and glory now
loomed large.
Team Republic vs NP
Riding on a high after consecutive
victories, Team RP next faced the reigning champions of the POL-ITE Games, Ngee
Ann Polytechnic (NP). This was certainly a mammoth task at hand but the team
remained focused on what they set out to achieve. Unfortunately, the team was
outwitted when NP made strategic changes to their starting line up and the guys
team eventually went down 1-4. The sole victory for the team came from
Ernest Quek. The Tennis (F) team encounter went down to a decider game
played by Chai Hui Hui. It was a very tight game and despite hitting some
beautiful winners, the game was lost, and the Tennis (F) too lost by a 3-2
scoreline. Nevertheless, the team took home some pride and positives from this
defeat.
Team Republic vs SP
With only the last tie left to play, Team
RP knew what was at stake. The Tennis (M) team needed a victory to ensure a
silver medal whereas Tennis (F) team needed a victory to secure the bronze
medal. Focused, the team got together and did their last team huddle for the
season - confidence ran high and the adrenaline was pumping furiously. After a
nervous 3 hours of waiting, both MENS and LADIES ties were completed. The
Tennis (M) team responded to the expectations and came out 4-1 winners over
Singapore Polytechnic (SP) with the crucial victory coming from Oh Wenhao
- he defeated SP’s number 1 player with what was eventually a mentally draining
tiebreaker. The mental skills training the team went through in preparation for
this competition must have helped. Final score was 9-8 (8-6) to Wen Hao. Silver
for Team Republic! On the other end, it was tears for the Tennis (F) team who
crushingly lost out on third despite again holding a 2-0 lead with victories in
2 doubles games. Jacintha Tan, Wina Yuwana, Huang Shiyun and Lee Wanying
have put in consistent performances this season to bring the points home for
Team Republic. It’s unfortunate for the Tennis (F) team lose out on a medal by
one solitary game.
Nonetheless, we should not forget the glory
the season brought to the Tennis IG, and of course, to Team Republic. Led by
Team Captain Joshua Yap, the team was obviously rapt with pride and
excitement to have brought honor to RP. As “Republic Polytechnic” was announced
during the prize presentation ceremony, the team could not help but reflect on
all the huge effort put in for the past months that led to this moment of pride.
The team’s training trip to Bangkok was certainly key to the team’s achievement,
where they sparred against experienced players and gained advice from one of
Thailand’s leading coaches, Coach Moo. When it was all sweat and tears that went
towards trainings in the past months, it was all smiles on the faces of the
players now.
Tennis IG would like to thank their Coach,
Advisors Fazilah (OSG), Edmund (SEG), Mr. Chang York Boon (CIE), and Ms Goy Soon
Lan (SHL) for sharing Mental Skills Training sessions and to OSG’s sports
development team who gave the team endless support in the team’s quest for
success in this year’s POL-ITE Games 2006.
Well done Team!
Do extend your congratulations to you Tennis IG classmates if you see them.
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Joshua Yap (captain) (SAS)
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Zachary Chow (SAS)
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Justin Bryan Gumagay Goh(SAS)
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Leonard Yuen Jia Feng (SAS)
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Freeling Duke Rudy (SAS)
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Ahmad Kamil Bin Razali (SHL)
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Goh Zhong Kai (SIT)
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Oh Wen Hao (SIT)
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Tan Han Wei Leonard (SAS)
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Ernest Quek Cheng En (SHL)
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Long Sheng (SIT)
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