SEA Games: Sock Khim is not about to give up, yet

Sock Khim's best result at the SEA Games arena was a silver medal in Korat in 2007.

SINGAPORE: National table tennis player Ng Sock Khim doesn’t give up easily.

As a child, she almost lost her right leg due to an infection above her shinbone. Surgery saw her lose about three centimetres on that leg.

Years of wear and tear has seen her go under the knife four times, forcing her to miss the last three SEA Games – in Myanmar (2013), Indonesia (2011) and Vietnam (2009). 

But she’s back to compete in the Singapore Games.

Sock Khim, 31, achieved her best result at the 2007 Korat Games when she bagged the women’s singles silver and team bronze.

And she now has a chance to go a step better at these Games after being given the nod to play in the women’s singles ahead of Ho Ying.

“I really can’t put it into words. It feels strange to be back playing at the Games. I was a bit nervous during the matches ... it brings back a lot of memories,” said Sock Khim, who made her Games debut in 1999 in Brunei as a 15-year-old.

On Wednesday, Sock Khim dispatched Indonesia’s Gustin Dwijayanti 13-11, 11-3, 11-6 in the women’s singles Group D round-robin match at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. On Tuesday, she made short work of Myanmar’s Aye Thida Pyone, winning 11-6, 11-3, 11-4.

Now, only Thailand’s Nanthana Komwong stands in her way of a medal.

And it’s a big hurdle for Sock Khim to knock down as the 35-year-old Bangkok-born Nanthana has won all their five previous meetings.

“She’s very experienced and plays in the professional league in Europe. I have a fighting chance and I’m going to take it,” she said.

“In the past, my style of play always suited her. I played to her strengths. Hopefully, that’ll change tomorrow.”

 The Star Online