Latest news with #SEA Games
CNA
09-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Singapore's swimmers aim to improve personal bests as they gun for World Aquatics Championships
SINGAPORE: Top swimmers from Singapore are gunning for personal bests and to advance past a stacked field as they face global competition at the upcoming World Aquatics Championships on home ground. The 22nd edition of the Championships will begin this Friday (Jul 11) and run till Aug 3. For some national swimmers like Chan Junhao, it will also mark the start of their push to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. A RISING STAR The United States-based athlete said he is confident of rising to the challenge as he prepares to make his World Aquatics Championships debut in Singapore. The 21-year-old told CNA: 'This is my first big meet and having it being at home is a really big deal for me. I'm excited to swim in front of my home crowd, and it's in front of my family and in front of my friends.' Beyond the thrill of rubbing shoulders with the world's best swimmers, the current Singapore 50m breaststroke record holder added that competing with them is the first step in his long-term ambition. "It's going to be a busy Olympic cycle. We have (the) SEA Games at the end of the year. We have (the) Commonwealth and Asian Games coming up next year. And more importantly for me, is the LA Olympics in 2028,' said Chan. He added that he would be happy with achieving a personal best timing or being able to progress through the preliminary rounds of the meet. 'We're definitely ramping up our training a lot - a little bit more on the technical stuff, my coordination and also a good mix of strength and power, and being able to transfer that into the water,' he said. Chan, who is currently a student athlete at the University of Southern California, is part of Singapore's 16-strong swim team and will race in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events. Swimmers will compete in a new 4,800 capacity arena that was constructed next to the Leisure Park Kallang mall. Singapore was picked as the host after the biennial event was relocated from the Russian city of Kazan in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Event organisers are expecting around 40,000 international visitors to attend the event and are projecting tourism revenue to hit S$60 million (US$47 million). Singapore will send its largest contingent to the competition this year, with a total of 72 athletes across five disciplines. The Championships features the six sports: swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving. GAME PLAN FOR COMPETITION National swimming body Singapore Aquatics has a game plan for its athletes as crunch time comes. Gustavo Schirru, Singapore Aquatics' National Training Centre co-lead coach (swimming), said he wants the team to take things one step at a time during the competition. He added he expects the competition to be strong this year. 'We (expect) world records to be broken here, but all countries are trying to get this, and we're going to be in the mix,' he said. Schirru noted that the World Aquatic Championships will also provide Singapore's swimmers a chance to learn and improve on their performance. This is important with other major tournaments on the horizon for the national team, like December's SEA Games and the Asian Games next year, he added.
Malay Mail
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
National top women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-Thinaah likely to stay with BAM as talks progress positively
KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Will national number one women's doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah remain with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM)? There is now a higher probability that the world number three will stay with the national governing body, following confirmation from BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh that discussions with the pair have been positive. 'The (joint) discussions (with Pearly-Thinaah) were very positive, and we want the best for them,' he told reporters after the training session here today. Last week, BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said that Pearly-Thinaah's status with BAM would only be finalised before the Japan Open on July 15. The media had previously reported that the pair had yet to sign a new contract with BAM after their previous contract expired in December last year. Despite the uncertainty surrounding their future with BAM, Pearly-Thinaah have continued to deliver the goods, capturing the Thailand Open title in May by downing South Korea's Jeong Na Eun-Lee Yeon Woo 21-16, 21-17. Regarding his appointment as deputy chef de mission (CDM) to the 2025 Thailand SEA Games, Kenny hopes it will give added value to the national contingent throughout the Dec 9-20 biennial Games, which will be held in Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla. 'This is an honour for me, but at the same time, a humbling experience. If we look at the list of appointees, they are all sports legends, except me, as I am just a sports administrator,' he said. Yesterday, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) announced that national swimming legend Nurul Huda Abdullah had been appointed as CDM to the 2025 SEA Games. Fifty-two-year-old Nurul Huda, who was recently elected OCM vice-president, will be assisted by Kenny, former sprint ace Nazmizan Muhammad and former hockey player Jivan Mohan. — Bernama
Independent Singapore
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Independent Singapore
Congratulations pour in as Soh Rui Yong gets nod to represent Singapore at 2025 SEA Games
SINGAPORE: After runner Soh Rui Yong excitedly announced on Tuesday (June 24) that Singapore Athletics had nominated him to represent the city-state at the 2025 SEA Games for the 10,000m and marathon events, many were quick to congratulate him. The 33rd Southeast Asian Games will be held in Thailand this year from Dec 9 to 20, in Bangkok and the provinces of Chonburi and Songkhla. 'The final selection decision will be made by the Singapore National Olympic Council, expected to be by the first week of September. I will then make a final decision on the events I will race thereafter. 'Thank you to Singapore Athletics for your support,' Soh wrote in a Facebook post, adding a screenshot of the email Singapore Athletics had sent him. Facebook Screenshot Singapore Athletics is the longstanding governing body for track and field in the city-state. Its purpose is to develop and promote Singapore's talents for track and field and other related events, such as cross-country, marathon, and race walking. The last time the SEA Games were held — in May 2023 in Cambodia — Singapore Athletics chose not to send any athletes for the marathon event. Soh had chosen to focus on shorter races in preparation for the competition and had suffered from a back and hip injury from July 2022 to January 2023, which prevented him from competing in a marathon during the qualifying window. Read related: Soh Rui Yong back with Team Singapore but not competing in marathon event at SEA Games However, Soh bagged the silver medal in the 10,000m final, setting a new national record of 31:10.70. But it was Soh's behaviour during the race that caught the public's attention. Indonesian runner Rikki Marthin Luther Simbolon, who eventually won the race with a time of 31:08.85, did not grab a bottle properly at the final water station of the race, but dropped it, not bothering to break his stride. Soh, who was on his heels, successfully reached for a cup and poured some water over his head. But seconds later, he passed the cup to Simbolon, who was then able to take a drink. 'Sporting, absolutely sporting,' the commentator can be heard praising Soh in the clip below. 'You cannot make that up. You cannot fake it either.' Many have congratulated Soh on this new development. 'Jiayou. Help Singapore get some medals!!! Do what you do best!' wrote one supporter. 'Congratulations. Proven results and no (one) can deny you the right to be selected and deny our country the best chance of bringing home a medal. Sincere congratulations. Do us proud,' chimed in another. 'All the best to your final call-up. Hope SNOC decided on you. We need a SEA games marathon gold medal again!' a third wished him. /TISG Read also: Soh Rui Yong bags silver in SEA games 10,000m final; wins more praise for sportsmanship after sharing water with Indonesian who took the gold
Malay Mail
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
OCM shortlists CDM, deputy picks for Thailand SEA Games; Norza says logistics key factor
KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has drawn up a shortlist of candidates for the posts of Chef de Mission (CDM) and Deputy CDM for the SEA Games in Thailand in December. OCM president Tan Sri Mohd Norza Zakaria said he would be meeting Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh today to discuss the matter before a final decision is made. 'The issue now concerns logistics, as we know the SEA Games will be held in three locations — Songkhla, Chonburi and Bangkok. So I think we will discuss appointing one CDM and a few deputies. 'We will look at three or four personalities, and it will be a combination of an OCM administrator, a former athlete and representatives from the NSAs (National Sports Associations),' he said when met yesterday. Previously, the National Sports Council (NSC) had urged OCM to expedite the appointment of the CDM, Deputy CDMs and team managers for the Thailand SEA Games. NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin explained that early appointments are crucial to ensure planning and coordination can be carried out in a more organised manner, especially with NSAs and other stakeholders. Norza also hinted that a new design may be used for the national contingent's official attire at the biennial Games. According to him, OCM will sit down with the NSC to discuss a suitable outfit design for the national contingent. — Bernama
CNA
19-06-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Singapore's top Muay Thai fighters target medal haul at continental showdown in Vietnam
SINGAPORE: Singapore's national Muay Thai team is eyeing a strong showing on the continental stage, as they prepare for the upcoming Asian Muay Thai Championship in Vietnam. Seven athletes will represent the country at the week-long competition, which kicks off on Friday (Jun 20). The annual championship, held in Vietnam for the first time, is expected to attract more than 300 fighters from around 30 countries and territories. They will compete for medals in 28 weight categories and eight performance classes. It also marks their last chance to qualify for December's SEA Games in Thailand. AIMING FOR GLORY Among the Singaporean Muay Thai athletes headed to Vietnam for the competition is rising star Wayne Low, who will be making his international debut. At just 20 years old, he has dedicated himself fully to the sport by training six days a week, up to seven hours a day. 'The sport, beyond its physical aspects, involves 'a lot of mental strength', said Low, who is looking forward to going against some of the best fighters in Asia 'Without any mental strength, I don't think any of us can get this far, we can just give up any time. With it, I feel (that it has made me) a much better person, more disciplined.' Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to represent Singapore, he said that he is hoping to snag at least a bronze medal at the competition. 'I'm really nervous and excited. I don't want to mess up this chance,' added Low, who is the youngest fighter in the seven-member squad headed for Vietnam. However, he noted that his age is not a disadvantage, saying the upcoming competition will give him valuable exposure and experience against high-level opponents. RAISING THE BAR National coach Amir Gani said adapting to the intensity and pace of international bouts has been a major focus in training, with former national athletes being involved as sparring partners. 'We do more training because of the pace of the fights. The bouts are different from what we have in Singapore,' he added. 'So we need to understand and make the athletes understand the pace, the power of these international games. They are not easy.' Amir said he believes his charges are capable of holding their own against Asia's best, and is aiming for at least four medals from the team at the championship — but medals are just part of the bigger picture. 'My goal for the Asian Championship is to win as many as we can as a nation, and I want as many Singapore athletes to be carded for SEA Games,' he added. 'That's what our main goal is, but for the main goal to happen, we have to have a successful event.' If their quest for December's SEA Games is successful, the athletes will have their work cut out for them. They could face fierce fights from powerhouse and host Thailand, as well as other teams such as Malaysia and the Philippines.
