August 23, 2010 — Isabelle Li (16 years old on Saturday) won Singapore’s second silver medal of the Youth Olympic Games when she was beaten in straight sets by China’s Gu Yuting in the final of the women’s table tennis singles competition.
Isabelle lost 11-8, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9. Singapore now have two silvers and three bronze medals in the Games.
The result was not as one-sided as it looked. Isabelle, one of Singapore's most promising and talented young athletes, made the top-seeded Chinese sweat for her victory, especially in the decisive fourth set.
Isabelle is Singapore born and bred, having picked up the sport when she was in Primary 3.
She was spotted early by national team and has received generous funding from the Singapore Sports council and other associations to take part in international tournaments all over the world to boost her exposure and experience.
Many will remember the harsh criticism surrounding the Team Singapore's silver medal-winning women's table tennis team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as all of them were born in China but later took up Singapore citizenship. There were doubts in some corners whether a Singapore born athlete could dominate in table tennis on an international level, but Isabelle's rise to prominence has surely silenced those detractors.
Isabelle Li is the hope of Singapore table tennis.
Update: Li is in action today (4:50pm) Mixed Double vs Egypt Meshref.
Ended at 5:15pm, she takes the game 11-4, 11-8, 11-3. The Egypt paddler is not her match.
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