Singapore claims two contract bridge bronzes at Asian Games

SINGAPORE: Team Singapore's contract bridge players claimed two bronze medals at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Wednesday (Oct 4).

The country's women's and mixed teams lost to their counterparts from China in the semi-finals of their respective events.  However, losing semi-finalists in each bridge event are awarded joint-bronze medals.

In the women's event, the team of Leong Jia Min, Li Lan, Lim Jing Xuan, Low Siok Hui, Jazlene Ong and Selene Tan was beaten 303 to 133.1.

They reached the semi-finals after finishing fourth in a field of eight teams in the round robin stage.

Hong Kong's women's team picked up the other bronze after losing 194 to 163.1 to Chinese Taipei.

In the mixed event, the team of Lam Ze Ying, Loo Choon Chou, Luo Cheng, Seet Choon Cheng, Gideon Tan and Tan Sock Ngin lost 231 to 225.77.

They had qualified for the semis by placing third out of 11 teams in the round robin stage.

The semi-final did have two points of contention: A ruling against Singapore and the cancellation of a six-point penalty against China.

At the end of the sixth and final session, Singapore appeared to have secured a 225.77 to 225 win and looked set to advance to the final.

However, six points that had been deducted from China's tally for slow play in the fifth session were later reinstated. The score was amended to show that China had won 231 to 225.77.

There was also a ruling against the Singapore team in the sixth session for hesitation in bidding.

Singapore lodged appeals against that ruling and the cancellation of China's six-point penalty. This led to a one-hour wait before the outcome of the semi-final was confirmed.

The appeals were unsuccessful and the score remained the same, with China declared the victor.

The other mixed bronze