Ranked 212 in the world, South African badminton player Robert Summers couldn’t have asked for a tougher assignment in his opening encounter at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham than facing the reigning world champion.
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Singapore’s Kean Yew Loh rallied from an early exit at the Tokyo Olympics last year to claim the global crown just a few months later.
Competing on the show court at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, Summers acquitted himself with aplomb, challenging the Singaporean star with a fighting performance, particularly in the opening game.
The 20-year-old South African eventually succumbed 16-21, 9-21 but was hugely boosted by his performance.
"It’s unbelievable. For me, it was a huge learning curve to play the best in the world, to help measure my own game,” he said afterwards.
Speaking about the tight first game, Summers reckoned: "In terms of my performance I’m really happy but a little bit gutted at the same time. I mean the score was 16-all in the first set and I lost four quick points… I think I didn’t realise I could get close to taking a set before the match. But I made two or three silly mistakes. I’m still really happy. I put up a really good fight and I think he didn’t expect it.
As for the chance to compete on the show court in front of the vocal Birmingham crowd, the Bloemfontein-based law student added: "I really enjoyed the occasion, the crowd were amazing, even though I am not from here. It was great because it was the first time I have experienced the show court. I did not expect their support. They actually carried me to some points.
"I learnt a lot and gained a lot of experience which I’ll obviously take home and go and work on and try and improve and hopefully when I go to the next major event if I’m lucky enough to be selected again, I will be able to compete even better and implement the things I've learnt playing against the top players." added Summers, whose next major goal is to represent South Africa at the Olympic Games.
ANOTHER BOXING MEDAL ASSURED
Elsewhere on Thursday, Phiwokuhle Mnguni ensured there will be another medal to come from the boxing ring after a third-round stoppage win in her featherweight quarterfinal bout against Sri Lanka’s Sajeewani Muthuthanthri.
Mnguni will fight Northern Ireland’s Michaela Walsh in the semifinal where a win will see her going for gold, while both losing semifinalists are awarded bronze medals. Regardless of the colour, it will be a first ever boxing medal for a South African woman at the Commonwealth Games.
#TeamSA's Phiwokuhle Mnguni takes it in the 3rd round.
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2024) August 4, 2022
Congratulations on reaching the semis. #B2022 #B2022Boxing pic.twitter.com/EmFm3x0pKM
Over at the Alexander Stadium track, Ryan Mphahlele finished seventh in his 1500m heat in 3:42.92 but still managed to progress to Saturday’s final.
The South African women’s hockey team went down 4-1 to New Zealand while the T20 cricket team put in a commanding performance against Sri Lanka, skittling them out for just 48 runs and then winning by 10 wickets. It was some consolation at the end of a tough campaign where they lost their previous two matches to New Zealand and England.
"We weren't great in the field in our previous matches but today we took all our opportunities and it makes a massive difference in T20 cricket if you do that," said allrounder Nadine de Klerk, who finished with bowling figures of 3-7 in her four overs.
"To finish the tour on a high, we’ll take that," added captain Suné Luus.
“We have a young group that's hard-working and will give everything, it will just take a bit of time."