Chuan Leong Eyes Snooker History at SEA Games, Remains Cautious After Team Loss
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Malaysia’s Thor Chuan Leong is within striking distance of equaling the record for most SEA Games gold medals won by a Malaysian snooker player, but the recent champion is tempering expectations following a narrow defeat in the men’s team event.
Chuan Leong, fresh off a dominant victory in the 6-red singles competition, currently holds six SEA Games gold medals – trailing the legendary Sam Chong, who amassed eight between 1993 and 2011. Despite the opportunity to potentially match that feat, the newly crowned champion is adopting a measured approach.
Team Event Heartbreak for Malaysia
The Malaysian team suffered a heartbreaking 2-3 loss to Thailand in the men’s team event on Thursday at Muang Thong Thani. While Lim Kok Leong secured a crucial win in the second singles match, bringing Malaysia back into contention, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Thai squad.
Chuan Leong and Moh Keen Hoo initially propelled Malaysia into the lead, but a subsequent loss in Chuan Leong’s second singles match leveled the score. Ultimately, Malaysia conceded defeat when Kok Leong was unable to secure the deciding point. Thailand will now advance to the final, where they will face Laos, who convincingly defeated Myanmar 3-0 in the other semi-final tie.
Reclaiming 6-Red Glory
On Friday, Chuan Leong demonstrated his prowess by reclaiming the SEA Games 6-red singles title with a commanding 5-2 victory over Thailand’s Poramin Danjirakul. The final scoreline – (36-24, 46-0, 70-0, 0-46, 41-28, 0-66, 63-0) – underscores his dominance in the match. This win marked his first gold medal in the 6-red discipline since 2013.
When questioned about the possibility of equaling Sam Chong’s record, Chuan Leong offered a characteristically understated response, simply shrugging off the suggestion.
A Shift in Mindset
According to the champion, his perspective has evolved as his career has progressed. “Maybe I’m a bit older now,” he stated. “So my mindset is more open, I think differently now. There is always a chance but anything can happen before you play.” This newfound composure, he believes, allows him to approach high-stakes matches with reduced emotional pressure.
Opportunities Remain
The Malaysian snooker team still has the chance to add to their medal count next week in the men’s 6-red team and snooker singles events. The team will undoubtedly be looking to build on Chuan Leong’s individual success and secure further victories at the SEA Games.
