Following her win as Malaysia’s First Numero UNO®, the time has finally come for our nine year-old national champion to take flight and compete in the Asia UNO® Challenge Grand Finals this November in Tokyo, Japan.
In June this year, Rachel Koh took Malaysia by storm when she beat 1,616 participants aged seven to 15, to emerge victorious at the Malaysian leg of the Asia UNO® Challenge to earn her the title of national champion.With the grand finals set to take place on 3 November 2013, the unassuming and soft-spoken young lady has been practising hard behind the scenes with her family and friends to be able to give her best at the competition.
For the Koh family however, UNO® is more than just a competition. The game has played an integral role in their family’s social and bonding routine.
“We are incredibly grateful for this privilege that the Asia UNO® Challenge has given to us. It has been an eye-opener, as often times we are swept away by modern technology where we neglect the true essence of real interactive play. As a family, we try our best to make it a point to spend some quality family time over a game of UNO® as it encourages physical and intellectually-stimulating interaction,” said Rachel’s father, Dr. Koh Lee Min, a paediatric specialist.
Aside from regular UNO® nights with the family, Rachel tries to spend at least half an hour a day to practice the game with her little brother Zachary, who is five – another rising UNO® star and Rachel’s regular UNO® “sparring partner” – in anticipation of the upcoming grand finals.
“I am nervous of course, but at the same time, really excited, as I do enjoy a good game of UNO®. I am also really excited to explore Japan with my family and to just have a good time,” said Rachel when asked of her thoughts on the approaching competition.
Rachel’s first major exposure to the game was during the UNO® Challenge preliminary rounds at the Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta event back in March. Little did the family know that the encouragement from her mom to accept the challenge then would take Rachel on a life-changing and edifying learning experience.
“Since being crowned Malaysia’s national UNO® champion, we have seen Rachel’s confidence level built in participating in more competitions. We are incredibly proud of her,” said proud mom, Ms. Ang Chiew Hooi.
Rachel will compete with seven other national UNO® champions from Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, and Hong Kong, paving a way for Malaysia as she stands a chance to be Asia’s Numero UNO®.