Lum Medals, Luu Earns Career Best Victory in Slovak Republic

Young guns Finn Luu and Nicholas Lum were back in action overnight, competing in the Under 19 Boys Singles event at the World Table Tennis Youth Contender event in Slovak Republic. The duo did not disappoint, with Lum earning a bronze medal and Luu notching a career best victory.

Luu was drawn into arguably the toughest of the qualification groups, but came through with flying colours. In his first match, Luu played what National Head Coach John Murphy described as a perfect match, dismantling Simon Belik (Czech Republic) 3-0. Belik is a regular winner of events on the international junior stage and has already defeated multiple players inside the world top 50 at senior level. Luu used this to springboard him on to three other victories, including avenging his loss in the Under 17 Boys Singles event against Zhenlong Liu (Austria), where he came back from 1-2 down to win 3-2 in a gutsy performance. Luu eventually bowed out at the quarter final stage, losing 11-9 in the fifth game. Overall, Luu can be very pleased with his performances, where he continues to demonstrate he belongs on the international stage.

Meanwhile, Lum overcame a shaky start to bounce back and claim a bronze medal. In his qualification group, Lum lost in three close games to Carlos Fernandez (Peru) but still managed to qualify for the main draw. Lum proceeded to hustle his way through the field before eventually falling 12-10 in the fifth game against Belik in the semi final. Lum was leading 2-0, but the Czech Republic youngster showed his class to fight back. Lum finishes the tournament with a gold medal in Under 17 Boys Singles and a bronze medal in Under 19 Boys Singles and can hold his head up high.

It has been a busy period for Luu, Lum and Yangzi Liu, with the trio being present at World Table Tennis Youth Contender events in Italy, Hungary and Slovak Republic over the past three weeks. Combined they plundered 5 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals in what can only be described as a sensational performance. Having been unable to travel to compete internationally for the past 18 months due to border closures, they continued to work hard day in, day out at National Squad training in Melbourne. The hard work is now bearing rewards and a bright future awaits.

The trio will now head to Slovenia where they’ll compete in a World Table Tennis Contender event. They will join up with fellow National Squad members Min Hyung Jee, Qian Yang, Dillon Chambers and Xavier Dixon and will no doubt be looking forward to tasting the action at senior level.

Full results can be viewed by clicking here.