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Snooker heartbreak as Thor and Lim's brave run ends in final defeat to India
File pix of Thor Chuan Leong (left) and Lim Kok Leong with their medals for the men's snooker singles at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games. — GLENN GUAN/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Rory Thor Chuan Leong and Lim Kok Leong's gallant bid to bring home the first Asian 6-Red Snooker Team Championship title for Malaysia ended with a 1-3 defeat at the hands of India tonight (June 28).
Newly crowned 6-Red Asian individual champion Chuan Leong made a good start when he overcame Brijesh Damani 68-58 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
However, India levelled the tie after Pankaj Arjan Advani won the next singles match against Kok Leong 66-25.
India were in front after Advani-Damani combined to overcome Chuan Leong-Kok Leong 75-33 in the doubles match.
Advani put up a clinical performance in the reverse singles match to seal victory for India, beating Chuan Leong 58-1.
The Malaysian Snooker and Billiards Federation (MSBF) president Melvin Chia applauded the duo for fighting hard to raise the flag for Malaysia on the international stage again.
"There was not much expected from both of them as this was their very first tournament since they represented Malaysia at the Cambodia SEA Games two years ago.
"It was a very satisfactory achievement to bring back one gold and one silver.
"Our next goal after this is to get ready for the Thailand SEA Games in December," he said.
The Malaysian duo can certainly hold their heads high as they had performed well throughout the tournament to enter the final for the first time.
Chuan Leong-Kok Leong were impressive earlier as they beat favourites Pakistan A 3-1 to set up a final clash against India, who carved out a 3-2 win over Hong Kong A in the other semi-final match earlier in the day.
Malaysia had fought hard to beat Hong Kong B 3-2 to reach the semis and assure a medal.
