Latest news with #SingaporeAthletics
Straits Times
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
National jumper Tia Rozario earns first SEA Games berth after reuniting with coach Valeri Obidko
Tia Rozario (right) and national jumps coach Valeri Obidko started working together in 2013 before a hiatus of more than a decade PHOTO: COURTESY OF ZHONG CHU HAN SINGAPORE – When Tia Rozario was in her early teens, the national jumper was already outleaping her rivals, clearing 5.5 metres with her long jumps and dominating school competitions. Recognising her potential, Valeri Obidko, her jumps coach at the Singapore Sports School then, set her a target of 6m. More than 10 years later, with coach and protege reunited, Rozario, 24, has finally hit that target and in doing so, qualified for her first SEA Games by meeting the 6.02m qualifying mark. At the Thailand Open Track & Field Championships on June 22, Rozario shattered her previous personal best of 5.95m. At the National Athletics Centre in Pathum Thani, she leapt an impressive 6.16m, just two centimetres shy of the national record set by Eugenia Tan in 2015. Rozario, who cleared 6m thrice, earned the silver medal, while Sri Lanka's Madushani Herath (6.37m) won the gold and Thailand's Supawat Choothong (6.01m) bagged the bronze. Rozario said: 'I'm definitely very excited to have qualified for the SEA Games for the first time. But I think I was more excited to finally hit the 6m milestone... We've waited close to 10 years for this moment so it's really special and feels like a full circle moment that I got to hit six metres with coach by my side.' Obidko was appointed the national jumps coach by Singapore Athletics in January 2024. It marked a return to the sunny island for the Georgia-born Singaporean, who had two stints as SSP jumps coach (2004-2009 and 2013-2015), sandwiching his tenure as national jumps coach from 2009 to 2013. Rozario and Obidko worked together from 2013 till 2015, when he left to become coach of Thailand's national jumpers. They reunited last July when Rozario returned to Singapore after completing her master's degree in biomedical science at Duke University in the United States. 'Linking up with coach Valeri is definitely vital,' said Rozario. 'He has a lot of passion for the sport and his athletes, his belief in me and my teammates has been what has been encouraging us to give our best every day at training and in competitions.' Proper training commenced in September as the pair started off with gym sessions and looked into biomechanics to improve her technique. It has paid off but Obidko, 61, believes there is more to come. 'She is a very fast learner and she picks up new techniques well. We are strengthening her and we have seen good progress,' said Obidko. 'So we will continue the same way towards the SEA Games. I am also hoping she can win a medal at the SEA Games.' Rozario, who set the outdoor triple jump national record of 13.01m in 2024, also clinched a triple jump silver in Thailand with her attempt of 13.27m (+3.0m/s). But that distance cannot be used for records, personal bests or qualifying standards as it exceeded the maximum allowable wind assistance of 2.0 metres per second (m/s). Herath (13.58m) secured gold and Chinese Taipei's Lin Yu-Ting (13.26m) was awarded bronze. In the men's high jump, Andrew Pak leapt to a personal best of 2.05m – 10cm below the SEA Games qualifying mark – to win Singapore's third silver medal at the June 22-25 Thailand Open. While Rozario is still some way off the SEA Games qualifying distance of 13.46m for the triple jump, Obidko said she may eventually get the nod for it as well, as her 12.89m effort set in Hong Kong in May is just five per cent off the qualifying mark, which puts her on the long list for nomination. Having already had a taste of winning medals in Thailand, Rozario wants to repeat the trick on a grander stage at the Dec 9-20 SEA Games. The last Singaporean woman to win a long jump medal at the biennial Games was Foo Hwei Fen, who earned a bronze in 1989. There has never been a medallist for the Republic in the women's triple jump. At the last Games, Indonesia's Maria Natalia Londa won the long jump gold with a 6.28m attempt, ahead of Vietnam's Bui Thi Thu Thao (6.13m) and Bui Thi Loan (6.02m), while Thailand's Parinya Chuaimaroeng – another Obidko protege – won gold in the triple jump with a 13.60m effort. Rozario said: 'I've spent so many years in this sport, gone through ups and downs, broken so many national records and won championships and travelled all around the world to compete. But the feeling of getting to represent Singapore at the SEA Games is going to be different, it is going to be very special. ' The SEA Games is really important to Singapore and to do it with the backing of my family and friends is something I am really looking forward to. I hope to medal at the SEA Games and then work towards the Asian Games next year.' Deepanraj Ganesan is a sports journalist at The Straits Times focusing on football, athletics, combat sports and policy-related news. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
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
New Paper
31-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Singapore's Shanti Pereira wins 100m silver at the Asian Athletics Championships
Singapore's sprint queen Shanti Pereira said she feels proud and satisfied after claiming a silver medal in the women's 100m final at the Asian Athletics Championships on May 28. At the Gumi Civic Stadium in South Korea, the 28-year-old clocked 11.41sec, just behind gold medallist Liang Xiaojing (11.37) of China. Tran Thi Nhi Yen of Vietnam claimed the bronze in 11.54. Defending champion Pereira was second-quickest in qualifying, clocking a season's best 11.40sec in the heats in a field of 21 sprinters. Liang topped the group in 11.22, while Japan's Aiha Yamagata (11.53) was third. As Pereira had expected, she got off to a slower start, but the 28-year-old felt she executed a strong race overall, finishing just 0.04sec behind Liang - who was a 60m world indoor championships finalist in March. Pereira added: "Proud of another milestone in my ability to compete at Asia's highest levels, delivering clutch performances in major competitions. "Satisfied to be able to continue to inspire Singaporean sportspeople and elevate Singapore's profile in Asian athletics." While she missed out on the gold, coach Luis Cunha noted that Pereira performed well. The Portuguese said: "Everything we did this season was to prepare for this competition. This is our first major competition, so everything is good. She's healthy, she's in shape and she did a good race. "This time, it was not enough to cross the finish line first, but everything was according to the plan and we cannot ask for more." Singapore Athletics president Lien Choong Luen added: "It was a very tight race today against very strong competition and Shanti was closing very strongly at the end. "Her season has been going well with overseas training and races in Nea Zealand and Japan, as well as her great run at the Singapore Open last month. Looking forward to her upcoming 200m races." The Asian Athletics Championships have previously been a happy hunting ground for Pereira, who claimed the historic 100m and 200m sprint double at the 2023 edition in Thailand after clocking 11.20sec and 22.70 respectively. She went on to clinch a gold and silver (200m, 100m) at the Asian Games two months later. Comparing her race to her gold-medal run two years ago, Cunha added: "The time was different, but the conditions were also different. So second place, behind the Chinese girl that is one of the best athletes in the world, is a very good result." This is Pereira's ninth event of the 2025 season, which began in February when she clocked 11.68sec in the 100m at the International Track Meet in Christchurch, New Zealand. She added that she is highly motivated for her pet event, the 200m, with the heats taking place on May 30. In other results, Singapore's Marc Louis did not qualify for the men's 100m final after finishing joint-14th out of 22 runners in the semi-finals. He clocked 10.52sec, 0.10sec behind the last qualifiers for the final - China's Wang Shengjie and Oman's Malham Al Balushi. Teammate Ang Chen Xiang missed out on the semi-finals of the men's 110m hurdles, clocking 13.87sec to finish fifth in his preliminary heat. The men's 100m final on May 28 came down to the wire, with Japan's Hiroki Yanagita clinching gold in a photo finish. He won in 10.194sec, ahead of Thailand's Puripol Boonson (10.196), while Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Abdullah Abkar (10.296) edged out Al Balushi (10.299) for the bronze.
New Paper
31-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Shanti Pereira makes history with 'groundbreaking' feats at Asian meet
Singapore's sprint queen Shanti Pereira added yet another feather to her cap, clinching her second silver at the Asian Athletics Championships on May 31. Despite failing to retain both her 100m and 200m titles, coach Luis Cunha hailed Pereira's "groundbreaking achievements" after she became the first sprinter to win two medals in back-to-back editions of the meet. Cunha said: "Her feat of earning two individual medals (sprint) in the Asian championships was unprecedented for Singapore. This is a truly remarkable milestone for Singaporean sports and athletics in Asia." At the Gumi Civic Stadium in South Korea, the 28-year-old clocked a season-best time of 22.98sec, just 0.01sec behind gold medallist Chen Yujie (22.97) and ahead of Li Yuting (23.23), both of China. Defending champion Pereira had qualified second-quickest in the field of 20 after clocking 23.59sec. Japan's Remi Tsuruta topped the heats with 23.37, while Chen (23.60) was third. Pereira, who won a 100m and 200m double in the 2023 edition in Thailand, had also settled for silver in the 100m final on May 28 after clocking 11.41sec, losing out to China's Liang Xiaojing by just 0.04sec. While Pereira did not respond to a request for comment by press time, Cunha preferred to look on the bright side, despite his charge missing out on a gold medal this time. He said: "Life's all about perspective. A glass of water can be half-full, half-empty, or even full but too cold or not tasty. Unfortunately, we're often surrounded by people with the latter perspective." Singapore Athletics (SA) president Lien Choong Luen too was upbeat about Pereira's performances. He said: "Shanti's back-to-back silver medals over 100m and 200m in Korea is an incredible feat in field packed with lots of talent. "While her performance at the 2023 edition saw different medal colours, the ability to stay consistent over multiple years is a testament to her determination and that of coach Luis and her team. Her longevity and performance is an inspiration for our young athletes." Besides the two silver medals, Pereira ended her campaign in Gumi with a national record, after teaming up with Elizabeth-Ann Tan, Shannon Tan and Laavinia Jaiganth to set a new mark of 44.66sec in the women's 4x100m relay while finishing fifth of seven teams. The previous mark of 44.96sec was set in 2017 by Pereira, Wendy Enn, Dipna Lim-Prasad and Nur Izlyn Zaini. The mark was equalled in April by Pereira, Jaiganth, Elizabeth-Ann Tan and Kerstin Ong. In Gumi, China won the race in 43.28, ahead of India (43.86) and Thailand (44.26). Said Elizabeth-Ann Tan: "Coming into this meet, the national record was our aim, and we have been practising really hard together. "We are very happy that our hard work paid off, and that we managed to beat the record and not just equal it this time, but really break it by a whole 0.3 seconds." (From left) Laavinia Jaiganth, Shannon Tan, Elizabeth-Ann Tan and Shanti Pereira set a new mark of 44.66sec in the women's 4x100m relay. PHOTO: SINGAPORE ATHLETICS Teammate Jaiganth believes that the result is a good indication ahead of December's SEA Games. She said: "I think it was a very good experience, especially in such a big competition like the Asian championships. We were obviously all very nervous, but we managed to actually lock in and run to the best of our abilities. There's room for improvement, and we're ready to work on that. "It's a very motivating result, because out of all the SEA Games countries, we were ranked second. It's a very happy outcome and very encouraging." SA coach Khairyll Amri added: "In the last edition, the bronze medal time was 44.5sec, this time around it was around 44.2 by Thailand, which was something we didn't expect, because during the Singapore Open, the gap between Thailand and Singapore wasn't that big. "So we were actually very hopeful of at least trying to close in on Thailand, but when everybody starts rising to the occasion, these things happen. So maybe on another day it might have been better." In other results, Singapore's 400m hurdler Calvin Quek clocked 50.94sec to finish last in the field of seven runners. The event was won by Qatar's Abderrahman Samba (48.00), with compatriot Bassem Hemeida second (49.44) and Chinese Taipei's Lin Chung-wei (49.73) third. Meanwhile, the Singapore men's 4x100m relay team of Daryl Tan, Teo Yan, Xander Ho and Marc Louis were disqualified for an errant baton exchange after finishing last in a time of 40.96sec. Hosts South Korea claimed the gold with a meet record of 38.49sec, ahead of Thailand (38.78) and Hong Kong (39.10) after China, who finished third, were also disqualified for the same reason.
The Star
31-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Singapore's Shanti Pereira pipped to 200m gold by Chinese ace at Asian athletic meet
Singapore's Shanti Pereira (centre) en route to winning a silver in the 200m event at the Asian Athletics Championships.-- PHOTO: SINGAPORE ATHLETICS SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): Singapore's sprint queen Shanti Pereira clinched silver in the women's 200m at the Asian Athletics Championships on May 31. At the Gumi Civic Stadium in South Korea, the 28-year-old clocked a season-best time of 22.98sec, just 0.01sec behind gold medallist Chen Yujie (22.97) and ahead of Li Yuting (23.23) both of China. Defending champion Pereira had qualified second quickest in the field of 20 after clocking 23.59sec. Japan's Remi Tsuruta topped the heats with 23.37sec, while China's Chen (23.60) was third. Pereira, who won a 100m and 200m double in the 2023 edition in Thailand, had also settled for silver in the 100m final on May 28 after clocking 11.41sec, losing out to China's Liang Xiaojing by just 0.04sec. Besides the two creditable silver medals, Pereira ended her campaign in Gumi with a national record, after teaming up with Elizabeth-Ann Tan, Shannon Tan and Laavinia Jaiganth to set a new mark of 44.66sec in the women's 4x100m relay. The Singaporeans, who finished fifth out of seven teams, surpassed the previous time of 44.96sec set in 2017 by Pereira, Dipna Lim, Wendy Enn and Nur Izlyn Zaini. China won the race with a 43.28sec effort, ahead of India (43.86sec) and Thailand (44.26sec). Singapore Athletics (SA) president Lien Choong Luen praised Pereira for her performances. He said: 'Shanti's back-to-back silver medals over 100m and 200m in Korea is an incredible feat in field packed with lots of talent. 'While her performance at the 2023 edition saw different medal colours, the ability to stay consistent over multiple years is a testament to her determination and that of coach Luis (Cunha) and her team. 'Her longevity and performance is an inspiration for our young athletes.' In other results, Singapore's 400m hurdler Calvin Quek clocked 50.94sec to finish last in the field of seven runners. The event was won by Qatar's Abderrahman Samba (48.00sec), with Chinese Taipei's Lin Chung-wei (49.73) and Japan's Shunta Inoue (50.02) finishing in the minor podium spots. Meanwhile, in the men's 4x100m relay, despite a promising start, Singaporeans Daryl Tan, Yan Teo, Xander Ho and Marc Louis finished last out of seven teams in a time of 40.96sec. Hosts South Korea claimed the gold with a meet record of 38.49sec, ahead of Thailand (38.78sec) and China (38.82sec). - The Straits Times/ANN
