For 2023, Kiera will have to fight it out in the GU14 category for top six singles place to be eligible to play in the 2023 JET. It will be a challenging undertaking, as the team has four formidable 14 year-old SBA stalwarts. She managed to scrap through qualification (lost to Aleesya Qistina 21-23, 20-22 in quarter finals) in the SBA Closed (Leg 1) on Dec 2022. Subsequently in SBA Closed (Leg 2 ranking) on Jan 2023, Kiera was drawn into a difficult Group A with top-seed Lim Yew Ern and another two 14 year old qualifiers in a round robin contest. With only two groups, the top two players in each group will cross-over with the other group to fight for ranks 1 to 4, thus guaranteeing a seat to play in the JET. The 3rd and the 4th in the group will similarly cross-over with the other group to fill up the remaining ranks 5 to 8. Therefore it is vital to win in the cross-over to secure rank 5 & 6.
In Group A, Kiera played 4 matches, won 3 (including her historic upset win over top-seed Lim Yew Ern) and lost 1. Be that as it may, all top 3 in her group also had registered similar 3 wins and 1 loss which was then decided on number of match won/lost and score for/against difference. Unfortunately, her number of match won/lost difference and score for/against difference was the least thus relegated her down to third place. Fortunately, in the cross-over match, Kiera had a favourable head-to-head vs Khor Hui Qin, thus securing her place in the top 6 overall. The last match vs Eva Tham to vie for rank 5 or rank 6 was academic, although lost to Eva due to her bout of flu and fever in that match.
So there it was. The litmus test was over and she made it after all the months of hard training and preparation, it has finally paid off albeit at the expense of one Aleesya Qistina (top 4 contender) whom had withdrawn from the competition at the eleventh hour due to an unexpected wrist injury sustained from a motorbike ride. We wish her speedy recovery and hope she could make a comeback again in the near future.
