Singaporean Wins 2nd Place in European Mahjong Championship, A Journey Started in Secondary School

Following Singapore’s impressive 16-medal win at the 19th Asian Games, 39-year-old Kee Chung Low added another achievement for the country by securing second place at the 7th Open European Mahjong Championship (OEMC) held in Valencia, Spain, from October 13 to 15. A freelance medical translator, Low shared with Mothership that he joined the tournament to represent Singapore and experience Spanish culture.

Low’s love for mahjong dates back to his secondary school days when he first played Singapore-style mahjong. However, it wasn’t until 2012 that he learned Mahjong Competition Rules (MCR), the format used in international tournaments, which eventually prepared him for his debut at the 3rd World Mahjong Championship.

Since then, Low has honed his skills by practicing online via WeChat and playing with local MCR enthusiasts. When the OEMC resumed after the pandemic, Low eagerly registered, making it his first tournament and overseas trip since the COVID-19 outbreak.

The tournament drew 168 players from 18 countries, including China and Japan. Reflecting on the 11 games he played, Low shared memorable moments, such as self-drawing a high-scoring “small three dragons” hand in his second game and staging comebacks against strong opponents in later rounds. He credits his success to determination, adaptability, and relentless practice.

Looking forward, Low plans to compete in the next OEMC in 2026 with hopes of securing the championship title for Singapore.