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Loy Ming Ying won the women's singles silver in table tennis at the Youth Olympic Games on 5 Nov. Photo: OIS/ Nic Bothma
For Wong Chock Ching, the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games have been a demonstration of how much her daughter, Loy Ming Ying, has grown as an athlete.
Loy clinched a silver – Singapore’s second medal at these Games after Ng Zhe Nin's wushu gold earlier this week – after falling 4-2 (11-5, 10-12, 8-11, 13-11, 7-11, 10-12) to Chen Minhsin of Chinese Taipei on 5 Nov.
Loy Ming Ying in action during the women's singles gold medal match at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games table tennis event on 5 Nov. Photo: OIS/ Nic Bothma
But despite the ache of losing a hard-fought final, the 16-year-old could find the silver lining and appreciate her accomplishments at the Games.
“I’m sad that I lost the final match but I’m still happy that I got a silver medal. I’m proud of myself because in the group round, I was really nervous,” said Loy, who posted two wins and a loss in the group stage to finish second behind undefeated South Korean Heo Yerim.
“I’m proud that I could overcome the challenges from getting second in the group and slowly playing better as I continued (in the tournament).”
Tenth seed Loy delivered impressive performances in the knockout stages, claiming the scalps of higher-ranked opponents en route to the gold medal match.
Silver medallist Loy Ming Ying (left) with Youth Olympic Games table tennis champion Chen Minhsin of Chinese Taipei and bronze medallist Su Tsz Tung of Hong Kong. Photo: OIS/ Nic Bothma
She beat eighth seed Syndrela Das of India and European youth champion Nina Guo Zheng of France earlier this week. In the semi-finals on 5 Nov, she held steady for a 4-2 (5-11, 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9) win over second seed Su Tsz Tung of Hong Kong – a feat the Singaporean had “never imagined”.
“I took a gap year to play in this competition, so to be able to (win) a medal (shows) my hard work this year has paid off … I have improved this year,” said Loy, a Singapore Sports School student.
Loy Ming Ying (left) during her semi-final match against Su Tsz Tung of Hong Kong at the Youth Olympic Games on 5 Nov. Photo: OIS/ Nic Bothma
Her parents had last year floated the suggestion of taking a leave of absence from school in 2026, as the dates for the Youth Olympic Games clashed with that of the O Level examinations. The teenager had initially been reluctant to take a gap year but was eventually persuaded, and her mother has seen positive outcomes from this decision.
“She has definitely improved in terms of her ability to handle pressure and to compete, and her skill level has improved,” said Wong, explaining that she made the trip to Dakar in support of her daughter’s commitment to taking a gap year.
She does not usually travel to watch Loy compete overseas – her last excursion was to the Bangkok 2025 SEA Games, where Loy won a silver and a bronze.
Loy Ming Ying with her mother, Wong Chock Ching, at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Photo: Singapore National Olympic Council
Wong added: “I didn’t go to the Asian Games, but Dakar is very important because it’s going to be once in her lifetime. She invested (her effort) … so me, as the mummy who seeded this idea (of a gap year), has to support her all the way.”
The requirements of playing on sport’s biggest stages include adapting well to the ebbs and flows of competition and managing reactions to spectators’ cheers, among many more. Loy’s ability to do both are “learned behaviour”, said her mother, who is in Dakar with two friends.
Loy had once mentioned that her most enjoyable time playing table tennis was during the Covid-19 period as spectators were not allowed. Here, however, in response to a friend’s question on whether Loy would feel pressured by the audience cheering, Wong said: “Ming Ying doesn’t hear the noise. Whether you cheer for her or you boo her, she’s not affected.”
Wong also noted that her daughter sometimes had the tendency to express pessimistic thoughts before a match or examination.
“Before she came here, she said, ‘Mum, if I don’t get a medal, I’m a failure’,” said Wong. “I had to tell her, ‘Darling, the definition of success and failure is not only a medal. You have improved so much through the year … the leave of absence is not a waste of time; you have met so many people and gone to so many competitions.’”
Loy Ming Ying expressed appreciation for her family, coach Hao Anlin (far right) and Singapore supporters. Photo: Singapore National Olympic Council
Her mother’s advice has been a source of reassurance to Loy, who also paid tribute to her coach Hao Anlin, Singapore officials and her roommates for their support. Loy’s next event is the Southeast Asian Table Tennis Championships in Malaysia from 10-14 Nov, and she will no doubt be boosted by the lessons from the Youth Olympic Games.
“It definitely gives me a bit more confidence, because I won against a few people that I lost to before.”
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games takes place from 31 October to 13 November 2026. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.
