Table tennis player Izaac Quek Yong becomes first Singaporean to top Under-15 world ranking

SINGAPORE — Izaac Quek Yong has become the first Singaporean to top the table tennis world ranking list for players under the age of 15.

In a news release on Wednesday (April 14), the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) said that the 14-year-old is now ranked world number one after the International Table Tennis Federation updated its list.

“(He) is the first Singaporean to accomplish this new milestone,” the association said.

Last year, Izaac won the Cadet Boys' singles title without conceding a single game at the ITTF Swedish Junior and Cadet Open.

And at the National Table Tennis Grand Finale tournament last month on home ground, Izaac finished third in the men’s singles and first in the men’s doubles event together with his teammate Ethan Poh.

Izaac said in a statement: “I am very happy that I am able to achieve this target. It's a milestone and I'm really grateful for the support given to me by Singapore Table Tennis Association, SportsSG, Singapore Sports Institute and the Singapore Sports School. 

“I will continue to work hard and achieve more sporting glory for Singapore.”

STTA’s president Ellen Lee said that Izaac had worked hard and “truly deserves this new accomplishment”.

Ms Lee said that Izaac started training at the STTA’s Bishan Zone Training Centre when he was seven years old.  

He was then picked to join the junior development squad and youth training squad.

Izaac then continued his sporting journey at the Singapore Sports School and was eventually selected for the STTA’s intermediate squad last year.

“Izaac’s achievements serve as a testament that STTA is on the right path of grooming high potential talents into world-class athletes,” Ms Lee said.