July 18, 2008
BRAND’S Sudoku Challenge Asia Pacific Open 2008 @ Vivo City, Singapore
Posted by blur-devil under Devil Ramblings | Tags: sudoku, BRAND'S, vivo city, singapore, felicia chin, chen hanwei, michelle chia, tay ping hui, contest, Utt |[2] Comments
BRAND’S = Essence of Chicken (with loads of variations of flavour as well as other health tonic). But how can BRAND’S relate to SUDOKU, some of us may wonder. So I came up with some theory, to be able to compete in SUDOKU, you need speed, accuracy and skill. And BRAND’S promotes healthy drink and the BRAND’S Essence of Chicken promises to relive fatigue and promote mental alertness. So voila, you do the equation. 
On 12th July 2008, I was in Vivo City, Singapore for BRAND’S Sudoku Challenge Asia Pacific Open 2008. In order to participate in this competition, all participant must meet with the pre-requisite which includes all of the following:-
- Must resides in the Asia Pacific region.
- Ranked Top 3 in a national level Sudoku competition or be nominated by a National Sudoku or Puzzle association to represent your country.
- Has recognised expert ability to solve Sudoku puzzles e.g. Participation in the Math Olympiad, MENSA member, etc
Vivo City, Singapore (Night View)
The day started with Singapore Open in the morning and there were a few Singaporean artiste to kick-off the competition which includes Felicia Chin, Chen Hanwei, Michelle Chia and Tay Ping Hui.
Felicia Chin was the bubbly cute persona as ever.
Chen Hanwei, to me is a bit disappointing. As far as i can remember, he used to be more charming than this.
Tay Ping Hui looks real “man” but think his appearance came to me as more un-friendly especially when i try to take a picture of him (and all I can take is such picture)… Another disappointment.
Michelle Chia really took me by suprise. I knew she was consider one of the hot babes then, but little do I know she looks petite, sweet. fair and pretty in person!
But the only person I can’t take my eyes off is Utt!!! He’s the ambasaddor for BRAND’S Essence of Chicken, hence he was there during the Sudoku tournament while the local artiste left after the Singaporean Open. When I was in the hotel, I caught the advertisement that Utt was in this particular BRAND’S ad….
Then I couldn’t stop taking picture of Utt. Kekekek (*giggle*)
Ok.. Back to topic. At 2pm, all the teams from 7 countries (which includes Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, China, India, Philippines and Indonesia) queue to register for the Asia Pacific tournament. The fee was at SGD10 and we receive a goodie bag consist of the Challenger Handbook and….. BRAND’S Essence of Chicken (what else). 9 representatives from Malaysia
Adrian + Me @ The Registration Counter
The Goodie Bag with Utt Picture
The Essence of Chickensssss in the goodie bag
The “Challenger’s Handbook”
Mr Bala (Actively involve as organiser for various Sudoku competition in Malaysia)
Me before the start of the competition
Although the competition supposed to kick off at around 3pm, but the Singapore Open competition was delayed and we only manage to kick start our competition at 4pm.
Me with my lucky number, 21
The first round itself, it was a test of Speed with a Medium Puzzle to be solved and time limit of 30 minutes was given. Only the Top 15 will be given points. I manage to score 13 points for the first round. As for the second round, all participants is required to solve a Taxing Puzzle with time limit of 30 minutes as a test of Skill. I finish slightly late than the first 15 participants but definitely before the time limit of 30 minutes. Then the during the 3rd Round, we are being tested on our Stamina with 10 Puzzles of Medium Puzzle to be solved within 20 minutes. Each finished puzzle will be given 1 point. I manage to finish 6 puzzles and manage to finish 85% of Puzzle 7. Hence I scored 6 points (I think…heheh).
After all the 3 rounds, the points from all the First 3 round is tabulated and only the Top 15 (judge via the highest score) will qualified for the next round (Round 4). I manage to secure 7th placing out of the 15 particiapnts. The Malaysia participants did Malaysia proud by having 6 participants out of the Top 15. In Round 4, all the 15 participants are required to finish one difficult puzzle and only the Top 5 is able to go for the final round to determine the winners. I missed narrowly by seconds being the 6th to submit my completed puzzle 
.
On the Final Round (Round 5), the 5 finalist is required to finish 1 Expert Puzzle and 1 Difficult Puzzle in 50 minutes. Sarah Jane Cua is from the Phillipines is the first to submit all correct entry, hence securing the First Prize of SGD10,000, Sumit Bothra from India secure the second place with winning prize of SGD5,000 and Fong Yi Wei from Malaysia secure 3rd place with winning prize of SGD2,500. Cheryl Tan from Singapore (4th), Charrissa Cheng from Malaysia (5th) and me, the blur devil (6th) each received a consolation prize of SGD100 each.
Gift Appreciation for the Chief Judge
The winner for Singapore Open with winnings of SGD8,000!
Me (6th place) with my SGD100 prize presentation
Charrissa Cheng from Malaysia (5th placing)
Foong Yi Wei from Malaysia (3rd)
Sumit Bothra from India (2nd place)
Sarah Jane Cua from Phillipines (Winner and SGD10,000 richer!)
Group Picture
Honestly, honestly, this competition is not too much of winning for me (of course if i win, its a bonus la) but its more of an exposure for me in terms of competing in the asia pacific level. At least now I know i need to buff up in my speed and at the same time maintain my accuracy. I hope there’s more Sudoku competition to come and let’s Sudoku together!
Last but not least, the most happy moment for me in this competition is none other than………………..
Taking picture with Utt!!!!!
Till we meet again ~ blur devil
For you, love is the ultimate rollercoaster
And you love to hold on tight and enjoy the ride
Every time you fall in love, it feels like the first time
And while it's exciting and exhilarating...
It's also stressful and scary!
