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There is a prominent table tennis racket hanging in Clarence Chewin’s living room, which he finds too precious to use.
However, it has played a key role in helping national paddlers achieve their Olympic dreams.
The pseudonymous bat was a gift in 2004 from former Table Tennis Association president Xu Yinsheng, who also coached Chewin’s mother Chen Shuping when she played for the Chinese national team in the 1970s.
To that, Xu wrote a motivational message in Chinese: “Do your hard work in your table tennis and play in the Olympics one day.”
Seventeen years later, Chew, now 25, made it true.
In March, he became the first Singapore-born paddler to reach the Olympic men’s singles event by beating his Singapore counterpart Koen Pang in the 4-0 Southeast Asia finals of the Southeast Asia Qatar tournament.
Recalling the gift yesterday at a virtual press conference at the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA), Chew said: “Xu Yinsheng is a well-known and respected figure in the world of table tennis.
“I’m lucky I met him years ago, but I haven’t had a chance to catch him yet.
“If she knew the news of my qualifications, I’m sure she would congratulate my mother and me and wish me all the best.”
The bat may not be able to help the southern paw send a stinging crush, but its words have kept him focused on his dream after every win or loss.
Chew, who is ranked number 186 in the world, added: “The bat is always placed in a prominent place in my living room.
“From time to time I walk past and it reminds me of why I started the journey and helps motivate me to reach my goal.”
Although the Covid-19 pandemic has marked a lack of international competition, Chew has prepared for Tokyo on August 23-8. To the Olympics by playing against sparring partners of varying styles.
“My main goal would be to enjoy every moment in court, make Singapore proud and leave nothing to regret after all the victims I have made to qualify,” he said.
STTA President Ellen Lee hopes Chew’s performance will “help the younger generation dream of getting bigger.”
“I urge Singaporeans to believe in our athletes so they can make waves on the world stage,” he said.
Chew is able to leverage the extensive experience of his coach, the three-time Olympian, Gao Ning.
Gao told the TNP that Chewin only has to do his best regardless of the opponents ’ranking and pedigree.
“He needs to relax and not be nervous when he comes on the field. He needs to keep cool and give his best in all games,” Gao added in Mandarin.
Chew has a ready-made drug to stabilize the nerves. He told TNP that he always has a peppermint pack in his throat and pops one in his mouth before matches.
“It has a cooling and calming effect on calming my nerves,” added an alumni from the Singapore Sports School, followed by female paddlers Lin Ye, Feng Tianwei and Yu Mengyu attending Tokyo.
The world’s 47th Yu, who made it to the semi-finals of the WTT in Doha in March, said he gained confidence in the games.
“The competitors I met in Doha ranked me better in the class and playing with them really boosted my confidence,” the 31-year-old said, referring to his victories in 12th place in the Japanese world from Miu Hirano and 40th place in Thailand. ranked Suthasini Sawettabut.
With security protocols in place, paddlers will leave for Shimada on Sunday, where they will complete their preparations before matches begin a month later.
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