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10 finals contested on Day 2 of the 8th Southeast Asia Pencak Silat Championships, as Singapore clinches top spot in four Siti Khadijah Binte Mohd Shahrem in action in the Class E Final against Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Cam Nhi. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SILAT FEDERATION 27 February 2022, Singapore – Team Singapore took four golds of the 10 finals contested on day two of the 8th Southeast Asia Pencak Silat Championship at Singapore Sports Hub's OCBC Arena, with the day ending with Singapore’s Siti Khadijah Binte Mohd Shahrem clinching a nail-biting 22-21 win in the Class E (Above 65kg-60kg) final. Siti Khadijah Vows to Train Harder, Humble in Victory The 20-year-old Singaporean, who triumphed over Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Cam Nhi, shared: “I'm new to this class and I was confident to fight because I'm in preparation for the SEA Games. But of course, I think I could have done better and there's more room for improvement." Singapore's 20 year-old Siti Khadijah Binte Mohd Shahrem in action at the 8th Southeast Asia Pencak Silat Championship. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SILAT FEDERATION "I'm not that satisfied with my performance but I'll definitely train harder after this, and I'll come back for more. It's a good experience and I'm grateful for the opportunity,” she said. The Senior Match Female E final was the last of 10 finals contested today. Malaysia's Nur Syfiqah Clinches Senior Artistic Female Singles Nur Syafiqah binti Hamzah of Malaysia won the first event of the day, scoring 9.93 points to secure the Senior Artistic Female Single title. Singaporean Siti Nazurah Binte Md Yusoff had a score of 9.895. Syafiqah said: “I feel very happy. I wasn’t really looking at the results. It’s been a long time since a regional competition was held so this is a good preparation for the SEA Games. I have a target for SEA Games this year and I aim to bring back a medal for Malaysia.” (L-R) Iffah Batrisyia Binte Noh, Nur Ashikin Binte Zulkifli, Amirah Binte Sahrin of Team Singapore in action at the 8th Southeast Asia Pencak Silat Championship. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SILAT FEDERATION Gold for Singapore's Senior Artistic Female Team Singapore won four golds today, starting with the Senior Artistic Female Team title. The winning trio of Amirah Binte Sahrin, Iffah Batrisyia Binte Noh and Nur Ashikin Binte Zulkifli scored 9.945 points. Iffah, 19, believes it was one of the team's better performances but felt there was room for improvement: “That was definitely one of our better (performances) but not the best that we can do. So we will take this as a learning point and do better for our future competitions." "Our synchronisation is still not there compared to powerhouses like Indonesia and Vietnam. Today's win means a lot to us because this is our first competition together." Sheik Farhan Bin Sheik Alau'ddin of Singapore (left) contesting the Class J semi-final with Muhamad Robial Bin Sobri of Malaysia. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SILAT FEDERATION The 8th Southeast Asia Pencak Silat Championship is the first competition in which the new International Pencak Silat Competition Rules and Regulations are in place. The rules, last amended in 2013, have been updated to reflect the development of martial arts around the world. Some key changes include allowing techniques which were previously not permitted, such as pulling and grabbing to perform dropping techniques. Singapore silat exponent Sheik Farhan Sheik Alau’ddin, who won his Class J (Above 90kg-95kg) semi-final 29-14 over Malaysian Mohamad Robial Bin Sobri, said of the new rules: “To be honest, overall my fighting strategy was about the same. I didn’t actively try to score with the new pulling techniques during the match as I don’t think I can do it very effectively yet." "It’s a 50-50 technique, so I don’t want to apply it and fail and drop points, which is what happened to my opponent. But I think it’s good that I could defend against it and will aim to improve more." More event updates, highlights and scores can be found on Persisi's Facebook and Instagram pages. #SportPlusSG #PencakSilat #SEAPencakSilatChampionships #SportsEvents

Goodmove range to offer contemporary styling with vibrant in-house designed prints, sustainable fabrications and innovative technology to help make the most of workouts Photo via Marks & Spencer Singapore Leading retailer Marks & Spencer has unveiled a new activewear collection, the Goodmove Spring 2022 that features innovative sportswear and athleisure across Womenswear, Lingerie, Menswear and Kids. The energetic and uplifting collection spans everything from outerwear for those on the go, stylish co-ords, matching 'mini me' leggings and performance wear for those looking to enhance their workout moves. Photo via Marks & Spencer Singapore The collection spans from outerwear for those on the go, matching ‘mini me’ leggings and performance wear for those looking to enhance their workouts. Customer insights from the M&S Family Matters Index revealed that two-thirds of participants committed to doing more activities together as a family post-pandemic. Photo via Marks & Spencer Singapore 63% of those surveyed mentioned that they will be committed to doing more exercise, where health and fitness emerged as the most dominant themes, with a greater focus on ‘self’ and ‘wellbeing’ - a theme which historically gains traction at the start of the year, but is even more pertinent now. Photo via Marks & Spencer Singapore Using these insights, the Goodmove range continues to offer contemporary styling with vibrant in-house designed prints, sustainable fabrications and innovative technology to help you make the most of your workouts. You’ll find the bestselling ‘Go Move’ legging (S$65.90) reissued in a statement print for ladies, the Goodmove Mesh Leggings (S$37.9) made from recycled fabric for kids and the Slim Fit Quick Dry Training T-shirt for men that comes with moisture-wicking and antibacterial finishes that will keep you fresh during your workouts! Photo via Marks & Spencer Singapore Eating Healthy to 'Make Abs in the Kitchen' Marks & Spencer has also unveiled a vibrant vegan selection from their Plant Kitchen range, encouraging customers to invite more nutrient-rich ingredients into their lives along with their new activewear range, the Goodmove Spring 2022 in the spirit of encouraging customers to get moving and keep fit. To kick off the year on the right note, M&S revealed their extensive Plant Kitchen for customers who are looking to eat healthy and "make abs in the kitchen", providing heaps of inspiration to help customers discover ready-made plant-based meals in 2022. Photo via Marks & Spencer Singapore The wide selection includes the delectable Plant Kitchen Green Thai Curry & Rice (S$12.90) made of sweet potatoes, edamame soybeans and broccoli in a coconut, ginger and lime curry, served with fragrant jasmine rice and the mouth-watering Plant Kitchen 3 Cheese Stonebaked Pizza (S$14.90) topped with tomato sauce with a blend of coconut oil-based vegan mature cheese and not’zarella. Many of us know that eating less meat is better for our health and the planet, and with a little help from M&S' game-changing Plant Kitchen range, there is heaps of inspiration to help customers discover ready-made plant-based meals in 2022. Photo via Marks & Spencer Singapore Many of Marks and Spencer's vegan products have been stamped the seal of approval from the iconic Eat Well sunflower, signifying that the items meet the evidence-based criteria in line with healthy-eating guidelines, accredited by the in-house nutritionists. Marks & Spencer has also teamed up with leading organisation Meat Free Monday to encourage customers and their families to go plant-based for one day a week. The new Plant Kitchen’s launch will certainly help the cause; from Friday-night treats, cooking dinner from scratch, or grabbing lunch on the go, M&S is making it easier for customers and their families to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diet without compromising on taste. The retailer is also on a mission to prove that eating healthy can be delightfully simple on a flexitarian diet, not only with the help of Plant Kitchen but also through influencing customers to increase the amount of colourful and nutrient-rich ingredients on their plates, which includes fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables. #Activewear #MarksandSpencer #GoodMoveSpring2022

Seven more golds for Team Singapore, to seal successful return to international competition Muhammad Syahiran Bin Jeffry of Singapore (red belt) takes on Hendra Wakhyu Hidayat of Indonesia. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SILAT FEDERATION 28 February 2022, Singapore – The 8th Southeast Asia Pencak Silat Championship concluded on Sunday with Team Singapore clinching a total of 11 golds, nine silvers and five bronzes over the last three days of thrilling action at the OCBC Arena. An esctatic Singapore’s Muhammad Iqbal Bin Abdul Rahman, who scored 9.945 in the Senior Artistic Male Single to take the first gold of day 3, said: "I'm overjoyed to get the win, I didn't expect to perform how I performed just now. I had no expectation of the outcome, none of that was on my mind." Muhammad Iqbal Bin Abdul Rahman in action at the 8th Southeast Asia Pencak Silat Championship. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SILAT FEDERATION "I just did my best and tried to outdo myself from my previous performance. My preparation went well from the moment I woke up today, and everything just went smoothly," he added. His teammate Muhammad Syahiran Bin Jeffry, who edged out Indonesian Hendra Wakhyu Hidayat 21-20 in the Senior Match Male I (Above 85kg-90kg) was equally in buoyant mood, saying: "It was an amazing atmosphere, everyone was just supporting me all the way till the end and I showed them that I'm here to win." Singapore's Muhammad Syahiran Bin Jeffry (red belt) emerging victorious against Hendra Wakhyu Hidayat of Indonesia. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SILAT FEDERATION "I think my performance could be better, but I thank everyone who supported me and I hope to experience this again. I was just focusing on my parents in the audience shouting my name every time, that's what kept me going." The night ended with Nadhrah Binte Sahrin and Sheik Farhan Bin Sheik Alau’ddin emerging victorious in their respective matches. Nadhrah, 17, put up a dominant display to defeat Malaysia’s Nor Farah Binti Mazlan 21-10 in the Senior Match Female A (Above 45kg-50kg). Sheik Farhan Bin Sheik Alau'ddin (left) of Singapore facing off against Vietnam's Nguyen Van Tri. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SILAT FEDERATION Tournament's Best Performer Farhan, 24, defeated his Vietnamese rival Nguyen Van Tri 20-17 to win the Senior Match Male J (Above 90kg-95kg) title. Farhan, who was awarded the tournament’s Best Performer, said: "It's been a long time coming, since the last competition in 2019, so I'm happy. Several things that I've been working on happened during the fight, so I'm very happy." "The last six seconds were crucial, I heard the crowd getting anxious but I wasn't worried and was in fact calm. I heard my coach reminding me to attack with a front kick once my opponent approaches. That was what I did and that helped me." Nadhrah Binte Sahrin (left) of Singapore contesting against Nor Farah Binti Mazlan of Malaysia. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SILAT FEDERATION Debutant's Joy for Nadhrah Nadhrah, competing in her first senior international competition, said of her feat: "I felt very nervous because the atmosphere was different – a lot of people were watching and it can get a bit overwhelming. So when I was fighting, it was my first time so I couldn't actually control my thoughts and feelings to focus on the fight. Instead, I was distracted a bit from the noises from the audience." The debutant then thanked her coach, saying: "My coach was very good at reassuring me. After I ended the fight, everyone was shouting and they were clapping for me. Regardless of the result, I knew they would be proud of me." Counting Down to the SEA Games in May Reflecting on the last three days of competition, Singapore Silat Federation chief executive officer Sheik Alau’ddin said: "Hosting a championship at this moment is a big challenge because of the Covid-19 pandemic, you need to work closely with a lot of partners and authorities, including international federations. Every day I pray that the teams can fly in, and it’s good that we could see them in Singapore." "I’m happy that the event went smoothly. Our team will go back and work hard again. It’s very important from now till the SEA Games (in May) – we have about two months to go back to the drawing board and work on their conditioning, skills and game play." #SportPlusSG #PencakSilat #SEAPencakSilatChampionships #SportsEvents

Siglap Team 1 continues strong form, but Dream Team proving to be a force to be reckoned with PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS 28 February 2022, Singapore - Dream Team ended Siglap Team 1’s dream start to the ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 competition on day 4 of the Boys U16s East Zone qualifiers. The latter emerged as the only undefeated team after the first day of competition on 20 Feb for the category. Coming into day 4, they maintained a positive mindset. “We are quite confident for our upcoming matches, because we believe in our team,” said Lee Zi Woo from Siglap Team 1. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Their confidence was justified as they claimed swift victories in both of their matches in the morning — they won the first by 21-7 against No Skills Squad, and got off to a flying start in the second against Strikers. Netting four points in the first minute, Siglap Team 1 took the lead and never looked back. Their teamwork and chemistry were faultless as they seamlessly passed the ball to each other, none of them dominating possession. Fast-paced passes often disoriented their opponent’s defense, creating numerous opportunities to score when one of their teammates was left unmarked. Reflecting on the team’s cohesiveness, Lee said, “We’ve played together for quite a long time so we know where to run and position ourselves on the court. So, we don’t need to check if our teammate is in a position before we pass the ball during play, because we already know they’ll be there.” PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS The team, however, suffered a scare with more than half the match to go when Jeryl Gan emerged from a tussle clutching his ankle. He limped off the court for the medics to examine him, as play continued. With no substitutes, Team Siglap 1 had to bite the bullet and play one man down. This was Striker’s chance to capitalise on their player advantage which lasted for over a minute. However, the one point they netted during that period did little to close in on the lead that Team Siglap 1 had already built. Gan came back onto court at half time looking slightly bruised, while Striker substituted two of their players. Yet, when play resumed, it was business as usual for Team Siglap 1 who kept up their strong form to close out the match. The final score was Team Siglap 1 18 - 2 Strikers. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS After the match, Gan said that he felt fine. Receiving a walkover for their third match, Team Siglap 1 were left with only one more match against Dream Team for the day. Although Dream Team lost their first match in the competition, that seemed more of an exception as they have won every match since. A close-fought match between the two teams saw Dream Team claiming the win by just a narrow margin of two points (15-13). PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS As teams Klids and AAJ have withdrawn from the competition, every team will thus receive two walkovers. Though Siglap Team 1, Dream Team and SGBasketball Sapphire are tied in the standings with only one loss each, Dream Team seem to be in prime position for top of the table as they have yet to receive their walkovers. The eight spots in the next round are far from confirmed, and it is still anybody’s game going into the final day of qualifiers next week. In the Boys U19s East Zone qualifiers which took place on day 3, Seafood defeated both their closest rivals — PrimeTime and Mcbuckets — to extend their unbeaten run in the competition. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 Full Results from Sat, 27 February 2022 Central Zone, Boys U16 Group A ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Hall Big Ballers 20-0 (WO) Klids Siglap CSC Boys U16 15-11 Petal Boys Siglap Team 1 21-7 No Skills Squad Dream Team 16-6 Not So Fantastic 4 The Imported Ones 9-5 Strikers AAJ (WO) 0-20 Strikers Two Maker Ballers 9-17 SGBasketball Sapphire Big Ballers 10-8 No Skills Squad Siglap CSC Boys U16 13-5 Not So Fantastic 4 Siglap Team 1 18-2 Strikers Maker Ballers 12-15 Petal Boys Dream Team 17-2 Strikers Two The Imported Ones 20-0 (WO) AAJ Klids (WO) 0-20 SGBasketball Sapphire Maker Ballers 13-8 Not So Fantastic 4 Big Ballers 1-9 Strikers Klids (WO) 0-20 No Skills Squad Siglap CSC Boys U16 6-3 Strikers Two Siglap Team 1 20-0 (WO) AAJ Petal Boys 5-21 SGBasketball Sapphire The Imported Ones 7-13 Dream Team Klids (WO) 0-20 Strikers Petal Boys 8-6 Not So Fantastic 4 Maker Ballers 12-8 Strikers Two Big Ballers 20-0 (WO) AAJ The Imported Ones 12-9 Siglap CSC Boys U16 Siglap Team 1 13-15 Dream Team No Skills Squad 17-22 SGBasketball Sapphire Big Ballers 6-3 Not So Fantastic 4 Strikers 9-12 Siglap CSC Boys U16 About Basketball 3x3, ActiveSG Cup 2022 The ActiveSG Cup 2022 is a basketball tournament for youths 15-19 years-old. The Central and East Zones are organised by KIN Productions, with a centralised venue playing host to the qualifiers in each zone. ActiveSG Clementi Sport Centre is the centralised venue for the Central Zone and ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Centre is the official venue for the East Zone. The top two teams from each zone will qualify for the Super League, while the teams that rank third and fourth will qualify for the Prime League, with these taking place on 18 and 19 March, before a Grand Final to finish off the ActiveSG Cup action at Our Tampines Hub on 20 March. #SportPlusSG #ActiveSGCup2022 #Basketball #SportsEvents

Local cycling group comprising multi-disciplinary athletes competing in overseas triathlons went back to basics over the Covid-19 period Image via Team TRIumphant Whoever said that cyclists should just stick to cycling? Firmly believing that participating in one sport is not enough to scratch the adrenaline itch, Team TRIumphant has found their niche in triathlon races. Combining their love for cycling with running and swimming, the team truly embodies the phrase, “jack of all trades” – in the case of these tri-athletes, they are the masters of it all. Image via Team TRIumphant Branching out from another cycling club, PGSK Riders, the team was formed in 2014 by (and for) members who were interested in venturing into triathlons. Team TRIumphant provided the members with an avenue to learn more about triathlon events and to begin their training for the multi-disciplinary sport. When asked about the inspiration behind the team’s name, Paul Tan, one of the founding members explains: “Triumphant is that feeling when you finally cross the finish line in a race after months of training and overcoming obstacles and challenges.” Image via Team TRIumphant Triathlon distances range from Sprints (750m swimming; 20km cycling; and 5km running) to Ironman (3.9km swimming; 180.2km cycling; and 42.2km running) categories – the diversity of sports and varying distances presents a unique set of challenges for each individual. While it is a sport that requires arduous amounts of mental and physical preparation, it is to a larger extent a social sport that never gets too dreary with a team of like-minded people. Image via Team TRIumphant Majority of Team TRIumphant’s pioneer members have successfully completed triathlon races that range from sprint distance to a full Ironman distance – all of which are remarkable feats! These triathlon events have taken them all over the world to countries like Australia, Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. While the sport may seem to demand a lot of time away from their families, the age-group tri-athletes make it a point to bring their families along on these trips. Image via Team TRIumphant Not only do their families’ support their athletic endeavours, Paul proudly reveals that even their wives have caught the triathlon fever and travelled to Nagoya Japan to compete in a full marathon. He cheekily adds that “the hubbies switched to a supporting role for once”. With the borders closed and disruptive restrictions imposed in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, the team’s exciting lineup of competitions and training have been put to a halt for the past two years. To retain some semblance of normality, Team TRIumphant has returned to their roots in cycling for the time being. Cycling in pairs (and later in groups of 5) has been a welcome respite away from the anxieties brought about by the pandemic. Frequently found riding along popular routes like Mandai, Team TRIumphant’s rides now oscillate between 50km on weekday mornings and an estimated 80-100km during the weekends. Image via Team TRIumphant Going back to basics has not only helped them maintain their fitness, it’s also allowed them to slow down and rediscover Singapore. Whilst chasing the sun, the team has discovered hidden gems including the awe-inspiring scenery at Ulu Sembawang, Changi Bay Point and Tanah Merah Coastal Road. With team sports slowly but surely coming to life again, triathlons are definitely an exciting arena to look forward to whether you’re a beginner or an experienced athlete! #SportPlusSG #Cycling #Triathlon #TeamTRIumphant

Running and staying active helped this single mom push through 5 months of pain undergoing 16 chemotherapy treatments Photo via Cassandra Hie Tattooed across her stomach is a breast cancer ribbon with butterfly wings and the words “will get there”. In April 2019, single mom Cassandra Hie , was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo 16 chemotherapy treatments that lasted for five months. What helped her push through the pain each day was staying active and running. Her oncologist, though not very pleased, gave in when she saw how running was able to keep her motivated and strong. Photo via Cassandra Hie Besides running, Hie’s two teenagers kept her going. On days she felt like giving up, she knew she had to push on to be able to be around to provide for them. “They are the main reason that I’m still standing today”, she shared. Even in the hardest of times, children bring out a strength in parents they never knew existed and for Hie, her children have been her pillar of support through her cancer and running journey. Her last race in Vietnam for the Jungle Ultra-Marathon in 2019 was just a month before her cancer surgery and without her daughter’s words she might not have completed it. “It was mentally challenging as my mind was troubled after being diagnosed with cancer. The race became so brutal that I wanted to record a DNF (did not finish)”, she said. Photo via Cassandra Hie “I remember texting my daughter and telling her that I would not finish the race, and she texted back - that’s not the mom I know. With that, I decided to brave through the heat and complete the race. It was an experience I will never forget.” Hie has been cancer free for two years and wishes not to live in constant fear of a relapse. Instead, she focuses her energy on cherishing each day and spending time doing things that make her happy, and a big part of that is her training regime. “After my cancer journey, I have this sense of gratefulness if I get to wake up another day, so I decided to spend my time exercising.” Photo via Cassandra Hie Though she has been an avid runner since 2015, over the years she started to realise that she needed to activate other muscle groups to reduce the risk of injury and included other sports like swimming, indoor cycling and strength workouts to her routine. Hie takes cues from how her body is feeling when planning her daily workouts. Most of her days begin with an hour of strengthening before work and end with a run home after work as a way to relax at the end of the day. Then there are also days where she focuses on mobility and recovery stretches. “I listen to my body daily. There’ll be days that I feel pumped up so I’ll max out the intensity. On the other hand, I’ll take things easy and do a low impact workout when my body tells me so.” Photo via Cassandra Hie Hie works as a sports massage therapist and stresses the importance of proper recovery and having regular sport massages to help increase sports performance and reduce the risk of injuries. One advice she always shares with her patients and one we could all learn from is, “Our bodies are designed to move, so be active! Focus on your recovery and managing your self care too. That includes foam rolling, stretching and regular sports massage.” Photo via Cassandra Hie Hie’s tattoo represents the struggles and triumphs of her own personal journey and her dreams. Three simple words that hold a powerful message especially on days where it would be easier to just give up. “Every single one of us goes through a different journey of life, but we will definitely get to wherever we are meant to be. We must continue to believe in the dreams we have planted in our hearts, and with faith and hope… we will get there.” #SportPlusSG #Running #CassandraHie

World Number 1 Jin Young Ko, defending Champion Hyo Joo Kim and World Numbers 3, 4 and 10, Lydia Ko, Inbee Park and Brooke Henderson lead field for 14th edition of ‘Asia’s Major’ Golfers at the official launch of the HSBC Women's World Championship 2022 (L-R) Inbee Park (South Korea), Jin Young Ko (South Korea), Hyo Joo Kim (South Korea), Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Brooke Henderson (Canada). PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Singapore, 1 March 2022 – Five of the world’s best golfers gathered this morning at Sentosa Golf Club ahead of the 14th edition of the HSBC Women’s World Championship , taking place this week on The Tanjong course at Sentosa Golf Club, from 3rd to 6th March. Sentosa Golf Club, a pioneer of sustainability in golf and a two-time winner of ‘World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility’ category at the World Golf Awards, provided the perfect backdrop for the five Major winners to take time out from their preparations for the HSBC Women’s World Championship to celebrate being back in Singapore, surrounded by the blooming flora and fauna that the City is so famous for. The much-loved Singapore championship has further enhanced its reputation as ‘Asia’s Major’ with an outstanding world class player line-up. Golfers at the official launch of the HSBC Women's World Championship 2022 (L-R) Inbee Park (South Korea), Jin Young Ko (South Korea), Hyo Joo Kim (South Korea), Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Brooke Henderson (Canada). PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES A perfect blend of champions, legends and new emerging stars will showcase their remarkable talents on the demanding yet stunning Tanjong course. Twenty nationalities are represented with 20 Major winners in the field, boasting a haul of 33 Major titles between them, along with 21 Solheim Cup players who have made a remarkable 51 appearances in total. Of the 66-player field, 40 have won at least one LPGA title and 26 have won LET titles, racking up a total of over 150 international career wins between them. Defending champion Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Defending Champion Hyo Joo Kim will be up against a star-studded field this week that includes all of the in-form winners of 2022 from the LPGA and LET Tours and seven past Champions. She commented: “I’m very excited to be back here at Sentosa to try to defend my title. I know it is going to be tough as there are so many great players in the field this week but, from the moment I arrived here at Sentosa, all of the positive memories from last year came back to me and I felt immediately more confident. I was so proud to win the title last year against such a strong field so I hope that I can put up a really strong title defence.” World No.3 Lydia Ko , a two-time Olympic medallist and already a winner this season, said: “HSBC has been one of the LPGA’s longest standing and most committed sponsors and this is one of our absolute favourite stops on the Tour as they are also wonderful hosts." Lydia Ko of New Zealand speaks to members of media. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES "The course is always in absolutely perfect condition and everything from the set-up to the facilities, to the posters of us all over the city, to the field, make it feel exactly like a major week", she added. I think the list of past Champions shows exactly why people refer to it as ‘Asia’s Major,’ with 11 of the 13 past Champions being Major winners, so it is definitely a title we would all love to add to our resumes." Two-time champion Inbee Park added: “I am not sure there is a more beautiful place on the planet to play golf than Singapore and here at Sentosa Golf Club. As we play this week, I think I will be especially thoughtful to appreciate not only the amazing flora and fauna, but all the ways Sentosa works to be the sustainability champion of the year and grateful to HSBC for their support for us and long-term commitment to women’s golf.” Former Olympic Champion Inbee Park at a press conference. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Kee Joo Wong, HSBC Singapore CEO said: “The biggest names in women’s golf are back in Singapore and we couldn’t be more excited for the week ahead. This championship has firmly established itself as a world-class event and showcases HSBC’s firm commitment to supporting women’s sports in Singapore. Being known as ‘Asia’s Major’ is very fitting. The tournament will be held at Sentosa Golf Club, one of the most prestigious courses in Asia, and we have a stellar line-up of women golfers competing for the title." “Our partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board and IMG has been hugely successful in creating new opportunities for the sport in Singapore and internationally, at both the elite and grassroots level. Few places, if any, offer all the elements we have in Singapore. A dynamic global hub, the world’s best golfers, emerging future stars, and an incredible setting at Sentosa. We hope the event will inspire the next generation of aspiring women golfers, locally and abroad. I wish the golfers all the best in the competition.” Partners of the 2022 HSBC Women’s World Championship are: Singapore Tourism Board, Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore Airlines, Lexus, Rolex, Hilton Singapore Orchard, Aon, Cisco Webex, Panasonic, ECCO Golf, Epson, OSIM, Under Armour, COBRA Golf, Ice Mountain, PengWine, TikTok, SONY, Titleist, The Glenrothes and 100PLUS. #SportPlusSG #Golf #HSBCWomensGolf

Inbee Park in imperious form, while Danielle Kang endures frustrating first day at 'Asia's Major' Patty Tavatanakit tees off at the Sentosa Golf Club on the first day of the 2022 HSBC Women's World Championship. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Singapore, 3 March 2022 – Patty Tavatanakit tops the leaderboard after Round One of the HSBC Women’s World Championship which teed off today at Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore. In hot and breezy conditions, the Thai closed with a 5-under par 67 on The Tanjong, giving her a one-shot lead over second placed Koreans A Lim Kim and Inbee Park, and Danielle Kang of the U.S. Underlining the caliber of the field competing for the championship, all four players are Major winners. Patty Tavatanakit in action on the first day of the 2022 HSBC Women's World Championship. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES "I feel like everything was pretty solid. A couple of shots here and there but overall I'm really happy with how I played. I’m pretty confident about my game right now. I feel like I found my inner peace just being on the course, and I just enjoy it a little bit more," said the 22 year-old from Bangkok. "I think my putting was solid. Everything just solid. Ball striking. I'd say I'd give it probably 7 out of 10. But overall I put myself in a really good position." Danielle Kang was frustrated with her finish on day 1 of the 2022 HSBC Women's World Championship. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Frustration for Kang Danielle Kang, who had held the outright lead before dropping consecutive shots on the 17th and 18th holes said: "I got off to a really hot start. It was just getting so hot at one point. And unfortunately, I think I just kind of checked out from golf for a little bit because I was more focused on trying to stay cool. I haven't been in this kind of heat in a while." "The finish is very frustrating. I'm not going to be happy with my round. It doesn't matter how well you start. If you finish bogey, bogey, it's just not a good finish. But I gave myself good chances. I hit some good shots. But I just misjudged the wind and misjudged the lie. I really couldn't focus. It was just tough to judge towards the end of the round today." Danielle Kang sharing a light moment on day 1 of the 2022 HSBC Women's World Championship. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Park in Imperious Form Two-time winner at Sentosa, Inbee Park had looked to be in imperious form, picking up four birdies on the front nine and one on the back, before a solitary bogey on the 18th hole. Speaking about her first round, the former Olympic champion said: "I think this golf course really suits me. It is not overly long, and that really gives me some good advantage of playing with the long hitters. Former Olympic champion Inbee Park was in great form on the first day of the 2022 HSBC Women's World Championship. Photo: GETTY IMAGES "The course is playing really good for me. I mean, it has over the years, and it is this year as well. Everything was good today. Except for the final hole. I hit a mis-shot with the hybrid, but that was pretty much my only mis-shot out there today." Another Major champion and Olympic medalist to feature at the top of the board was former world number 1 Lydia Ko. The New Zealander had steadily worked her way up the leaderboard to take a share of the lead heading into the last, only to drop two shots on the 18th hole. She joins 13 other players tied at 3-under par 69. In a rich vein of form, the 24-year old will be looking to add to her 17 Tour wins in Singapore this week. New Zealand's Lydia Ko in action on the first day of the 2022 HSBC Women's World Championship. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES First Outing since 2016 for Koh Singapore’s Sock Hwee Koh who secured her berth in ‘Asia’s Major’ following her win in February’s National Qualifying Tournament closed with a score of 8-over par 80, one shot ahead of Chinese amateur Xiaowen Yin. Said the Team Singapore athlete: "It was my first time out there since 2016, I feel like I played better than the scores reflected. It’s nice to be out there. I had a pretty good draw playing with Yealimi (Noh) and Wichanee (Meechai) and the greens were very fast and firm. I’m going to chip and putt after this, and I just have to capitalise when I get the chance tomorrow." Singapore's Sock Hwee Koh making a first appearance since 2016. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES The Singapore Airlines Round of the Day was awarded to Round One leader Patty Tavatanakit. #SportPlusSG #Golf #HSBCWomensGolf

Lion City Sailors' marquee signing Maxime Lestienne assists in short 15-minute cameo Lion City Sailors skipper Hariss Harun closes in on Hougang United's Andre Francisco Moritz. PHOTO: LYNN LEE, SPORTPLUS.SG 28 February 2022, Singapore - The reigning champions survived an early scare courtesy of Hougang striker Pedro Bortoluzo’s early strike, but goals from Kim Shin Wook, Iqram Rifqi and Diego Lopes handed the Sailors all three points. The familiar theme song of the Singapore Premier League rang loud around the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday evening, signaling the much-anticipated return of the league after a four-month hiatus. Both Sailors and Hougang had made statement signings during the off-season, and fans were eager to see them in action. New Signings The SPL champions were the biggest movers in the market, bringing in winger Maxime Lestienne, 29, from Belgian giants Standard Liege, defender Pedro Henrique, 29, as well as 1.98m-tall forward Kim Shin Wook, 33, who scored a brace in last week’s Community Shield. After losing last season’s SPL top scorer Tomoyuki Doi to Fujieda MYFC, Hougang added European pedigree with former Crystal Palace midfielder Andre Moritz, 35, together with Brazilian forward Pedro Bortoluzo, 25. Croatian midfielder Kristijian Krajcek, 28, signing from Balestier Khalsa, filled up their quota of three non-Asian foreigners. Hougang United getting ready for kick-off. PHOTO: LYNN LEE, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore international Zulfahmi Arifin, 30, and last season’s top local goal scorer Amy Recha, 29, also joined the Cheetahs from Thai League 2 side Sukhothai FC and Geylang International respectively. Hougang United's New Philosophy Hougang went with an intrepid 4-3-3 shape, with tactician Clement Teo opting to play forward Shahfiq Ghani in a deep-lying central midfield role. New signing Bortoluzo was handed his debut start whilst Moritz had to settle for a place on the bench. Teo’s brave approach paid dividends right from kick-off. Just seven minutes into the game, Amy Recha’s smart lofted ball into the semi-circle was chested down by Sahil Suhaimi onto Bortoluzo’s path. Hougang United's Kaishu Yamazaki attempts to play his way out of defence. PHOTO: LYNN LEE, SPORTPLUS.SG The Brazilian wasted no time to open his SPL account, unleashing a vicious left-footed volley beyond an outstretched Hassan Sunny to give Hougang a shock early lead. Almost on cue, the away side’s hardcore fan group, known as the Hougang Hools, marched out in unison to the spectator’s stands, belting out lyrical chants at the top of their voices. Sailors Regain Control Despite going behind early, the Sailors remained calm in possession and continued to dominate the ball. At the 14th minute mark, Defender Tajeli Salamat’s deep cross was not dealt with by the Hougang defence, allowing Song Ui-Young to volley narrowly wide of the post. Nine minutes later, a trademark whipped freekick from Shahdan Sulaiman was met by the 1.98m-tall Kim Shin Wook, who rose highest to head past Hougang custodian Ridhuan Barudin, leveling the match for the Sailors. Sailors' Uiyoung Song surrounded by Hougang United players. PHOTO: LYNN LEE, SPORTPLUS.SG Song was in fine form for the home side. The Singapore international nearly gave them the lead with another spectacular volley from Saifullah Akbar’s lofted cross, only to be denied by Ridhuan. Capitalising on Hougang’s insistence on playing short passes out of defence, Kim intercepted a pass from Hougang captain Nazrul before Song’s shot was blocked by right-back Muhaimin Suhaimi. Hougang nearly restored their advantage on the stroke of half-time, when Kristijian Krajcek won the ball in midfield and played Bortoluzo through, but the 25-year-old took too long to get his shot away. Moritz and Zulfahmi were introduced at the break, while Diego Lopes came on for the Sailors before the hour mark. It took till the 63rd minute for the next big chance of the game. Pedro Henrique controlled a lofted pass from Iqram Rifqi and struck a powerful drive towards goal, which came crashing off the underside of the crossbar not just once but twice. Uiyoung Song expresses his frustration after a missed opportunity. PHOTO: LYNN LEE, SPORTPLUS.SG But just three minutes later, the SPL champions went ahead through the unlikeliest of sources. A cutback from substitute Hafiz Nor was curled into the net by left-back Iqram Rifqi; his first goal in a Sailors jersey. Despite a promising start, Hougang’s midfielders were visibly tired past the hour mark which led coach Teo to bemoan fitness levels in his post-match interview. The Cheetahs were repeatedly caught out on transition situations, and Lopes nearly added a third for the Sailors after a poorly weighted back pass from Zulfahmi to Ridhuan. Answering repeated pleas from the home crowd, coach Kim finally introduced Maxime Lestienne on the 79th minute to raucous applause. The Belgian winger showed his quality when instead of taking a badly-angled shot, he deftly played a cutback for Lopes, who slotted past an exposed Ridhuan in the penalty box to seal the opening day victory for the Sailors. Hougang's Shawal Anuar (number 10) tries to find a way past Sailors' Iqram Rifqi. Photo: LYNN LEE, SPORTPLUS.SG No Love Lost Between Rivals Speaking after the game, coach Kim Do-Hoon was full of praise for his adversaries. “They are a team that I think are very well organised tactically. How they came out today was different from my expectations,” Kim said. “Clement is always trying to improve. As an opponent, it is always good to have someone working hard. I think it will create healthy competition in the league which is great for Singapore football,” he added. About the blossoming partnership between Lopes and Lestienne, Kim was wary to isolate praise for the dynamic duo. Lion City Sailors and Hougang United in an aerial duel. PHOTO: LYNN LEE, SPORTPLUS.SG “It’s not just between them (Maxime and Diego), it needs to be within the rest of the players as well. This will take time and they are working hard in training. But I’m sure we’ll be able to see more good football from these two players in the future,” Kim said. All eyes were on Maxime Lestienne when he came on, who cited problems with his match fitness. “I’ve had one and a half months without a game before this one, but I felt good out there, and I’ll be working hard in training. What’s most important is that the team got the victory,” the Belgian said. New Era for Cheetahs On the opposing end, Cheetahs coach Clement Teo was honest in his assessment. “We were not match-fit. That was our downfall. We were forcing the play in situations and we lost the ball in transitions,” he said. However, according to coach Teo, there were many encouraging signs to takeaway despite the loss. Hougang United's Kristijan Krajcek closely watched by Tajeli Selamat of Lion City Sailors. PHOTO: LYNN LEE, SPORTPLUS.SG “In my three years, we have not played such positive football. Personally, I felt we could match them (Sailors). We want to carry on from that. We must change our mindset. We can’t compete financially, but we can compete tactically,” Teo added. Hougang United will travel west to the Jurong East Stadium to take on Tanjong Pagar United next Sunday (6 Mar) for their second SPL fixture. The Sailors will head east to face Geylang International at Our Tampines Hub this Friday (4 Mar). Writer’s Assessment: A Transformed Hougang United The Cheetahs demonstrated their commitment to play short passes from goal kicks, unafraid by the quality the reigning champions had on the pitch. This is a big change in philosophy compared to last season, when Hougang were known as an efficient counter-attacking team. Set-up in a 2-3-5 shape in possession, coach Clement Teo made an unheralded tactical alteration, introducing inverted full-backs when Hougang were building out of the back. Muhaimin Suhaimi and Nazrul Nazari both tucked in as extra central-midfielders, while midfield interiors Krajcek and Sahil Suhaimi, a natural striker, pushed forward to support striker Bortoluzo. The decision to play striker Shahfiq Ghani as a deep-lying midfielder was due to his ‘technical quality’ according to coach Teo, sacrificing defensive solidity for cleaner ball progression. This signals Hougang’s intention to play attractive attacking football, which is great for the league’s viewership. However, such a drastic change in playing model needs time to implement, and whilst Hougang are on the right track, we could see games where calamitous defensive errors occur in a system where individual errors are magnified. There will also be occasions as coach Teo alluded to where they will be susceptible to counter attacks. With their new game model, I believe we could see Hougang address their Achilles heel last season; their failure to beat weaker sides in the league. Expect to see goals galore in Hougang matches. If all goes to plan, we could see the Cheetahs race past their competitors in the AFC Cup happening later this year. AIA Singapore Premier League 2022 Other Match Day 1 Results Albirex Niigata (S) 0-2 Tanjong Pagar United Balestier Khalsa 2-2 Tampines Rovers #SportPlusSG #Football #SingaporePremierLeague #SingaporeFootball

Sng rewrites own record set in 2015 to qualify for SEA games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games in 2022 Image via Singapore High Jump Facebook 31 October 2021, Singapore - Singapore high jumper Michelle Sng has rewritten her own national record set in 2015 to qualify for three Major Games next year. She bettered her previous mark of 1.84m by clearing 1.86m at a Singapore Athletics Performance Trial meet a the Home of Athletics yesterday, which qualifies her for three of the major Games she set sights on for 2022. 34 year-old Sng had quit her job in order to train full time and make the most of her athlete's career, and her risk paid off having now fulfilled the qualification benchmarks for the SEA games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. Sng had previously won joint-gold at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, as well as Bronze at the 2015 SEA Games held in Singapore, where she had initially made a return from early retirement for her SEA Games bow. She will be the first Singapore Track and Field athlete to compete in three major Games in the same year. #SportPlusSG #Athletics #TrackAndField #HighJump #MichelleSng

We share tips on creative and healthy ways to help you celebrate this year's National Day File Photo: SportPlus.sg This year's National Day Parade may have been postponed till 21 August amidst strange and unpredictable times, but there's no denying the hidden patriots that exist in all of us. So whether you are vibing to this year's catchy National Day tune, or just getting in the spirit of things by putting up your Singapore flag at home, we share 4 sporty ways for you to celebrate what it means to be Singaporean and express your love for Singapore via social media. And who knows, you just might get lucky and receive a special Decathlon goodie bag with a $10 voucher, shirt, electronic massager and more as a bonus! 1. Celebrate Singapore's Sporting Heroes Share your well wishes for Team Singapore national athletes competing a the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. It isn't easy to be an elite athlete competing in international competition. Our Team Singapore athletes have sacrificed much of their lives and careers to commit to flying the Singapore flag internationally, and to be part of the world's biggest sporting stage is something not everyone is privileged to be in. So why not record a short video of yourself showing your support and well wishes for our national athletes competing in Tokyo for the Olympics and Paralympics? It takes just a few seconds of your time, but it would mean the world to them knowing they have the support of our country behind them. File Photo: SportPlus.sg 2. Share your birthday wishes for Singapore's 56th birthday We get it. Everyone isn't exactly in buoyant mood at the moment with all the restrictions and Safe Management Measures that have literally put society to a grinding halt. While we may not exactly be in a party mood this year, Singapore's 56th birthday could still be a meaningful event if we choose to count our blessings. What we focus on expands, and if we shift our focus towards gratitude and the many things we are blessed with, including being able to call this beautiful island country our home, life does get better! So why not share what makes you thankful to be a Singaporean and share a Happy 56th birthday message to Singapore on your Facebook or Instagram? It could very well be the tonic and mood lifter not just for yourself, but for others who see it too. Image credit: @ahleeshan Instagram 3. Show off some whacky moves on TikTok in the NDP 2021 Virtual Dance For the more adventurous and creative among you, why not give this year's NDP 2021 Virtual Dance 'Dance of the Nation' a try? Based on the Don Richmond remix of this year's National Day Song "The Road Ahead" by Linying and Evan Low, incorporate signature moves of the dance into your recording and have fun with it. Already trending on TikTok, give this year's GetActive! Dance Workout your very own creative spin, and you might just be lucky enough to walk away with some cool prizes! 4. Getting active and exploring the various trails on GameOn Nila! If you are not the best of dancers and are shy to give suggestion number three a try, we still have one more idea for you! This is also arguably the healthiest suggestion of the lot, and it involves walking, trekking or running, a fun activity you can team up with your family members or friends too. Image credit: Sebastian Cheong Facebook Simply download the ActiveSG app for iOS or Android and join GameOn! Nila, and complete each of the nature trails by scanning the QR codes at the relevant trails. You can either participate as an individual or form a team to do so. #SportPlusSG #NDP2021 #SG56 #NationalDay

Louis narrowly misses out on Final in World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya Image credit: Poh Seng Song / Singapore Athletics Singapore hurdler Marc Brian Louis made the headlines again on Friday (Aug 20) after setting a new record for the Men's U20 110m hurdles event at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya. He qualified for the semi-finals with a time of 13.77 seconds in his heat, which is a new record for the Men's U20 110m hurdles, bettering the previous mark of 14.03 seconds that was held by Chong Wei Guan in 2018. He narrowly missed out on a place in the final after finishing 11th out of a field of 16th competitors, finishing his semi-final race with 13.83 seconds, just shy of his qualifying heats timing. Marc Brian Louis first made headlines in 2019 when he became Singapore’s first gold medallist at the Asian Youth Athletics championships, and subsequently snapped up the Team Singapore Athlete of the Month award for his achievements. #SportPlusSG #Athletics #TeamSingapore #Hurdles