Singapore’s Alvin Woo clinched a historic gold medal for Singapore on Friday (May 20) as he won the xiangqi (Chinese chess) men’s standard singles event.
This is Singapore’s first gold in the sport and the first time xiangqi has featured at the Games.
Woo, who is Singapore’s eight-time national xiangqi champion, beat Cambodia’s Hok Kung in round 7 of the event to confirm his gold.
He did not lose a game in the seven rounds of the competition.
Singapore’s Ngo Lan Huong also clinched bronze in the women’s standard singles event on Friday.
Earlier in the Games, Alvin Woo and Low Yi Hao also clinched a bronze medal in the rapid team event after Singapore beat Thailand 2-0.
Speaking to CNA, Alvin Woo said he hopes his win will help to raise the profile of xiangqi in Singapore and encourage more people to pick it up.
“I would say it’s not totally unexpected and I’m very happy that I did get gold, especially when it’s the first time Xiangqi is being featured in the Games,” he added.
“So it plays a very special meaning in my heart.”
From Channel News Asia
Với ước nguyện được cháy hết đam mê cùng bộ môn cờ tướng, mình tạo ra sân chơi này mong muốn được kết nối với kỳ thủ trong và ngoài nước, giao lưu, học hỏi. Hy vọng sẽ phát triển cộng đồng ngày càng vững mạnh.
