BRAND’S Sudoku Asia Pacific Open (12th July 2008)

Youngest Participant in the Inaugural Asia Pacific Open was crowned the Asian Champion. Sarah Jane Cua,14, from the Philippines wins S$ 10,000. Participants from 7 Asian countries competed for the coveted title in the first BRAND’S Asia Pacific Open Sudoku Challenge. The nine participants nominated by Sudoku Event Management and the three winners of the BRAND’S Malaysia Sudoku Challenge represented Malaysia in the Inaugural BRAND’S Sudoku Challenge Asia Pacific Open held in Singapore on 12th July 2008.

Earlier in the day, 100 Singaporean finalists, short-listed from 1,000 semi-finalists of 7,129 qualifying entries from the preliminary online competition on the STOMP website, participated in the BRAND’S Sudoku Challenge Singapore Open. In the afternoon, 53 participants from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, India and China competed in 5 rounds in the Asia Pacific Open. Our participants did Malaysia proud by having 6 of the 15 contestants in the fourth round. In the 5th and final round of 5 contestants on the stage, there were two representing Malaysia. The sixth position was secured by Lim Fong and the other three, Adrian Wong, Lim Vee Loon and Lim Kar Gee were close behind. Lee Chen Hsieng narrowly missed qualifying for the fourth round. Suganthi and Ng Chee Kiat also performed well, not far behind.

The five finalists were required to complete 1 Expert Puzzle and 1 Difficult Puzzle in 50 minutes. Charissa Cheng, 18, the BRAND’S Malaysia Sudoku Champion, was the first to finish, but alas she had made a mistake and was relegated to fifth position based on the number of cells completed correctly. Similarly, Cheryl Tan of Singapore was the second to finish but was placed fourth.

Sarah Jane Cua,14, of the Philippines submitted the first all correct entry and became the first Asia Pacific Open Champion, collecting a handsome S$ 10,000 prize money and a BRAND’S Hamper and a Trophy.

Sumit Bothra representing India secured 2nd place and won S$ 5,000, and Fong Wei Yi from Malaysia was placed 3rd, walking away with S$ 2,500

Cheryl Tan of Singapore was 4th and Charissa Cheng of Malaysia was 5th followed by Lim Fong of Malaysia in 6th position. Each received a consolation prize of S$100.

In the Singapore Open, using a similar format, the champion was Vera Lim Su Yen, 18, who walked away with S$ 8,000. Chan Li Ying, 18, was placed 2nd, winning S$ 4,000, and Lynette Leong, 31 finished in 3rd position with S$ 2,000.

It was an exciting competition in which the participants took turns to lead, lag and surge ahead during the last rounds, keeping everyone guessing on the final outcome. The competition was keen and it was a close finish. It was remarkable that all the five finalists in the Singapore Open and four of the five in the Asia Pacific Open were females and the younger participants appeared to be performing better.

Congratulations to all the winners. The Asian Champions would now be looking forward to the World Sudoku Championship in April next year.

BRAND’S should be commended for sponsoring this Inaugural Asian Sudoku Challenge and congratulations to their Event Managers, IMSG for successfully executing a grand finish at VivoCity. We hope that it will become an annual event and more Corporates would promote this healthy pastime by sponsoring such competitions.