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Team Philippines dominates triathlon event at the 31st SEA Games, sweeping four out of six of the podium positions as Fernando Jose Casares Tan and Kim Mangrobang claim men's and women's titles Philippines Women's Champion Kim Mangrobang holds her country flag aloft after winning her third SEA Games triathlon title in a row. PHOTO: THETHAOVIETNAMPLUS.VN Tuan Chau, Vietnam, 14 May 2022 - Team Philippines proved their dominance at the 31st SEA Games triathlon, sweeping top podium spots for both the men's and women's categories. In the men's event, Fernando Jose Casares Tan took gold, coming in with a time of 01:56:57. He was joined by fellow countryman Andrew Kim Remolino , who crossed the finish line just minutes after to take silver at 01:59:16. Men's Champion Fernando Jose Casares Tan Kim crosses the finish line of the 31st SEA Games triathlon event. PHOTO: DYAN TJHIA, SNOC Indonesia's Ronald Bintang Setiawan put on an immense display of persistance to clinch a podium spot after staying with the leading pack throughout the race, and his time of 02:01:35 was enough to earn him a bronze for Team Indonesia. Vietnam athlete Lam Quang Nhat was first out of the water but fell into sixth position after the bike leg of the race. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Earlier, home crowd favourite Lam Quang Nhat had looked a likely medal winner having taken an early lead in the race, with the former swimmer being the first to emerge from the water in the swim leg and holding over a minute and a half advantage over nearest rivals Bintang of Indonesia and Remolino of the Philippines. Singapore triathletes Nicholas Rachmadi (left) and Luke Chua during the bike leg of the 31st SEA Games triathlon race. PHOTO: DYAN TJHIA, SNOC Despite leading for the bulk of the bike leg of the race, Lam was eventually overtaken by eventual champion and runners-up from the Philippines, as well as Indonesian pair Ronald Bintang Setiawan and Aloysius Mardian Reckyardo to come in sixth overall with a time of 2:05.31. Nicholas Rachmadi enters the water for the swim leg of the triathlon event at the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: DYAN TJHIA, SNOC Coming in hot on his heels was Singapore duo Luke Chua and Nicholas Rachmadi , who posted times of 2:06:59 and 02:07:24 to take the seventh and eigth positions out of a field of 15 competitors. Singapore's Luke Chua running for the finish line. PHOTO: DYAN TJHIA, SNOC Women's Event Marion Kim Mangrobang continued her dominance of the women's triathlon event at the SEA Games, sweeping her third consecutive gold medal and leading the race throughout. Her time of 02:13:31 saw her finish well ahead of silver medalist Inge Prasetyo of Indonesia (02:16:38) and teammate Raven Faith Alcoseba Tan, who took the bronze medal with a time of 02:18:30. The flag off of the women's triathlon elites race on Tuan Chau beach. PHOTO: DYAN TJHIA, SNOC Singapore's triathletes Herlene Natasha Yu and Regine Goh were also in action at Halong Bay, with Yu looking to add onto her team silver at the 2019 SEA Games. She led for the majority of the swim leg, but was eventually overtaken by eventual gold medalist Kim Mangrobang who emerged out of the water with a time of 22:16 to Yu's 22:25. Regine Oh during the bike leg of the triathlon race of the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: DYAN TJHIA, SNOC Herlene Yu eventually completed the race with a time of 02:20:12, coming in fifth out of a field of 11 competitors, while Regine Oh came in ninth with a time of 02:35:45. Herlene Yu finished a respectable fifth position, clocking 2:20:12. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Meanwhile, Malaysia's Mayumi Shinozuka put in a strong showing and displayed consistency across all three legs to come in with a respectable time of 2:30.18 to finish seventh overall out of a field of 12 competitors. Malaysia's Mayumi Shinozuka running along the coast line during the triathlon race of the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG #SportPlusSG #SEAGames31 #TeamSingapore #Triathlon

Undefeated since 1995, Thailand retains Women's Volleyball gold medal for 13th consecutive SEA Games Pimpichaya Kokram of Thailand reacts during the gold medal match against Vietnam. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Halong Bay, Vietnam - Thailand women's indoor volleyball team have been crowed queens of Southeast Asia for a thirteenth consecutive time, after defeating hosts Vietnam 25-20, 25-14, 25-14 at the Đại Yên Sports Arena. The Thais' golden run stretches all the way back to the 1995 SEA Games in Chiang Mai, when they hosted the regional Games on home soil. Đinh Thị Thuý of Vietnam leaps high to spike the ball in the women's volleyball final against Thailand. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Played in a round-robin format, the women's indoor volleyball competition comprised five competing nations, with the top two countries qualifying for the gold medal match, and the third and fourth making the bronze medal play-offs. Entering the final as group winners, the Thais boasted a perfect winning record from the group stages winning all four matches, defeating the Philippines 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-14), Indonesia 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-14), Vietnam 3-1 (25-18, 14-25, 25-17, 25-23), and Malaysia 3-0 (25-11, 25-18, 25-12). Air time! Pimpichaya Kokram of Thailand spikes to win a point for Thailand in the gold medal match against Vietnam. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Vietnam, despite being hosts to the SEA Games and the only team to take a set off the Thais in the group stage, knew they faced an uphill battle from the start. In front of a packed stadium that was raring to go, the home crowd got behind the Vietnam women’s volleyball team. Đinh Thị Thuý could not prevent her team Vietnam from defeat against the Thais. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG It definitely gave the Vietnamese volleyball ladies a great boost of morale and they played hard against Thailand, losing only marginally in the first set, 20-25. Quick to take the first few points in the second set, Vietnam looked promising, until Thailand stepped up their game and reeled them in. Thailand celebrates winning the gold medal for a 13th consecutive edition of the SEA Games. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Aggressive, swift and precise, Thailand hardly faltered and you could feel the confidence of the Vietnam team fade and the second set closed at 14-25 to Thailand. The crowd seemed to have lost its enthusiasm at a point when Vietnam needed it most and Thailand took the third set by storm and opened up a big lead very early. Vietnam could only play catch-up as they tried their best to chase the gap, but Thailand proved too strong a force today and Vietnam lost the third set 14-25, hence taking home the silver. The Pilipinas fell to Indonesia in the bronze medal match. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Indonesia stun Pilipinas in Bronze Medal Play-off 2019 SEA Games silver medallists Team Philippines shockingly missed out on a podium finish, after being defeated by Indonesia in the bronze medal play-off 1-3. Despite clawing back a set after going 2-0 down, the Pilipinas were resigned to returning home without a medal for the first time since 2015, having won bronze at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games and silver at the last edition of the Games hosted in the Philippines. Alyja Daphne Santiago of the Philippines in action during the women's bronze medal match. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG The result was a repeat of the scoreline when both sides met in the group stages on 17 May, as Indonesia came out 3-1 winners (25-23, 21-25, 25-15, 25-20). Despite starting their campaign brightly with a 3-0 win against Malaysia, the Pilipinas will be disappointed with their outing in Vietnam, with subsequent defeats against Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam in before the bronze medal match. The Pilipinas celebrate scoring a point. The 2019 silver medalists did not finish on the podium in this edition of the SEA Games. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Meanwhile in Men's Indoor Volleyball, host nation Vietnam were also beaten in the men's final, losing 25-22, 25-18, 25-15 to Indonesia, who successfully defended the gold medal they won in 2019. For Vietnam, winning a silver medal is the best performance since 2015, when they also took silver a the 28th SEA Games in Singapore. They took bronze in 2017 at the Kuala Lumpur Games. For more 31st SEA Games indoor volleyball photos taken by SportPlus.sg , visit our photo gallery here . #SportPlusSG #SEAGames31 #Volleyball

Currently residing in London, training for the Southeast Asian Games was very challenging for New Zealand born Tony Payne who had to adjust to Vietnam's hot and humid climate PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG It took over a decade of dedication and hard work for ASICS marathoner Tony Payne to be the runner he is today. At his first race as a child, he finished 150th out of 200 runners. But he never stopped working at his goals throughout the years and started showing promise in running in his mid-20s. From that point, he has been shaking up the Southeast Asian running scene. The 33-year-old New Zealand-born sports lawyer, born to a Kiwi father and Thai mother, chose to represent Thailand and made his debut in Thai national colours at the 2018 Asian Games. He finished eighth overall and was the fastest Southeast Asian. In the same year, he clocked a personal best time of 2:16:56 at the Frankfurt Marathon, which still stands as the Thai national marathon record today. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Currently residing in London, training for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games was very challenging. First, he had to switch his mindset to one that was racing to win, as opposed to racing for his personal best time at major races against world-class runners. Aside from injuries and mental barriers, the biggest challenge was really the difference in weather conditions. It was cold in the English winter, nothing like the hot and humid climate of Hanoi, Vietnam, where the SEA Games were held. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG To help him prepare, he transformed his garage into an artificial environment where he recreated the Southeast Asian tropical weather. His personal heat chamber included a treadmill in a big tent, along with three heaters and three humidifiers. He ended up spoiling a laptop (which he used to watch Netflix as he ran on the treadmill) because of the heat and had to buy a new iPad with a waterproof case, but this setup worked brilliantly. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG The Hanoi conditions did not faze Tony and from the get-go, he was quick to take the lead, in his choice of shoes – the ASICS Metaspeed Sky. It was a very uplifting experience for Tony to have controlled most of the race with Indonesia’s Agus Prayogo on his heels, until the last 5km when home favourite Hoang Nguyen Thanh found an extra gear and pipped both of them to the gold. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Finally, Tony had to settle for a bronze, but it was his first medal for Thailand and something he is very proud of. His whole life has led him to this moment – winning a medal for his country – and this motivates him more to get to the top of the podium at the next SEA Games. To Tony, to Live Uplifted means to improve yourself a little every day over a long period of time, taking incremental steps to reach your potential. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG We all have our strengths and weaknesses to work on and in his story, it took him an accumulation of years of hard work. This applies to life too, where you don’t have to make a big jump but just look at being a little bit better than yesterday, and making long-term progress. #SportPlusSG #SEAGames31 #TonyPayne #ASICSSG

In front of a packed home Vietnamese crowd, the Thais remained cool under pressure to deliver gold - being swift and decisive in their attacks and proving too strong for the host nation PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Headlined by volleyball stars Pimpichaya Kokram , Thatdao Nuekjang and Hattaya Bamrungsuk, the Thailand Women's Volleyball team stormed to another SEA Games gold medal at Halong Bay in May, dispatching hosts Vietnam 25-20, 25-14, 25-14 at the Đại Yên Sports Arena. It was the thirteenth consecutive SEA Games gold medal for the women's volleyball team, in an unbeaten streak and run that stretches all the way back to the 1995 SEA Games in Chiang Mai, when they hosted the regional Games on home soil. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Played in a round-robin format, the 31st SEA Games women's indoor volleyball competition comprised five competing nations, with the top two countries qualifying for the gold medal match, and the third and fourth making the bronze medal play-offs. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Entering the final as group winners, the Thais boasted a perfect winning record from the group stages winning all four matches, defeating the Philippines 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-14), Indonesia 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-14), Vietnam 3-1 (25-18, 14-25, 25-17, 25-23), and Malaysia 3-0 (25-11, 25-18, 25-12). In front of a packed home Vietnamese crowd, the Thais remained cool under pressure to deliver gold - being swift and decisive in their attacks and proving too strong for the host nation. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Thailand’s iconic number 16 Pimpichaya Kokram was undoubtedly one of the players of the tournament en route to gold, as the Kurobe AquaFairies player lived up to her billing as one of the tournament’s top opposite spikers, leaping highest to deliver crucial points from the group stages through to the final point of a pulsating final to add a fourth SEA Games gold medal to her trophy cabinet. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Her role was made easier with support from two towering blockers in the form of 28 year-old Thatdao Nuekjang, winner of the Best Middle Blocker title in the 2020 Thai League; and Hattaya Bamrungsuk who plies her trade in the Japanese Volleyball league with Toyota Auto Body Queenseis, both double SEA Games gold medallists before the Vietnam Games. #SportPlusSG #SEAGames31 #PimpichayaKokram #ASICSSG

Together with the help of her family who pulled her out of depression, this Philippines tennis star gave the perfect response to her critics when she bounced back to qualify for the 31st SEA Games PHOTO: SYUHAINI AZLIN, SPORTPLUS.SG Born in Manila and hailing from the beautiful province of Antique in western Philippines, Marian Capadocia began her tennis journey at the age of 8. The bubbly Philippines tennis star, who turned pro seven years later, is most fondly remembered by many as the girl who lit up the cauldron of the 2017 Palarong Pambasa, an annual multi-sport National Games event involving student-athletes from 17 regions of the Philippines. Her exploits on the court has not gone unnoticed as well, reaching her highest individual ranking in the Philippines in 2011 at just 16 years-old, when she became number one, just a year after turning professional. At the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, Capadocia played a starring role for the Pilipinas en route to the bronze medal which they clinched for the Tennis Women's Team event, which saw her defeating Malaysia's rising star Saw Jo-Leen in straight sets (7-5, 6-4) during her match in the quarter finals along the way. PHOTO: SYUHAINI AZLIN, SPORTPLUS.SG "We worked so hard and fought so hard to get the bronze medal. This memory is one I would treasure all my life," said the 26 year-old in a post Games interview. The achievement was made all the more significant as preparations leading up to these Games was disruptive owing to Covid-19 restrictions in the Philippines. Capadocia shared: "Before the sea games, my biggest challenge was how to stay healthy and strong and how to perform well at the SEA Games despite the pandemic." "To overcome this challenge, with no tournaments being played and tennis courts being closed I worked out on my own with conditioning exercises at home and I jogged everyday." PHOTO: SYUHAINI AZLIN, SPORTPLUS.SG Blocking Out Pressure Her ability to handle pressure and stress comes from the mental fortitude she possesses, to block out everything whenever she steps on court to uplift both her mind and her game. In the zone, it is just her and tennis and she feels no stress as she focuses on the game and not her opponent, making it her world in that tiny bubble. PHOTO: SYUHAINI AZLIN, SPORTPLUS.SG It also helps of course that she trains with a mental coach on how to stay focused and to remain calm before each game. Her pre-match routine involves listening to "song to God", which keeps her peaceful She continues to play to this day, being motivated by her family, for whom she is the sole breadwinner and who inspire her to push past her limits and challenges so as to provide for them. PHOTO: SYUHAINI AZLIN, SPORTPLUS.SG Overcoming Negativity Arguably the biggest hurdle Capadocia had to face was the disappointment of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in which she was eliminated in the first round, which saw her receiving the brunt of criticism which questioned why she was even competing at the Games. It left Capadocia in tears, as she blocked out her family and friends and entered depression. Tennis became a way out for her, as she recommitted herself to playing the game. Together with the help of her family who pulled her out of depression, and being the fighter that she is, Capadocia gave the perfect response to her critics when she bounced back to qualify for the 31st SEA Games. For Capadocia, to live uplifted means to inspire others to live well, and she hopes her life story will continue to give hope to those around her facing similar challenges to never give up, and that more youth in her hometown may one day wish to pursue a career in tennis. #SportPlusSG #SEAGames31 #MarianCapadocia #ASICSSG

Alex Eala and Marian Capadocia inspire Pilipinas to win over rising stars Jo-leen Saw and Elysia Wan, as Team Event makes a return to sport of Tennis at SEA Games after 7 years Marian Capadocia of the Philippines in action at Hanaka Paris Ocean Park in the Women's Tennis team event at the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Tu Son, Vietnam, 13 May 2022 - Women's tennis tournament favourite Alex Eala and Marian Capadocia of the Philippines proved too strong for Malaysian rising stars Jo-leen Saw and Elysia Wan, both making their SEA Games debuts as the Pilipinas cruised to a 2-0 win on the opening day for tennis. For the first time in seven years, the Team Event makes a return to the sport of tennis - having last featured at the 28th SEA Games hosted by Singapore in 2015. The Philippines' Women's tennis team at the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Malaysian debutants' baptism of fire In the women's team event Malaysian rising stars Saw Jo-leen and Elysia Wan, both making their SEA Games debuts, were given a baptism of fire against a strong Philippines tennis contingent. Malaysia's 15 year-old Jo-leen Saw making her SEA Games debut against the Philippines. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Despite putting on a strong display, 15 year-old Saw went down 0-2 to Capadocia (5-7, 4-6), and while her teammate Wan displayed great resilience to take the lead at 4-2 in the second set against tournament favourite Alex Eala after losing 1-6 in the opening set, she could not prevent a 4-6 reverse in the second set to lose 0-2 overall. Elysia Wan did well to fight back and take the lead in the second set, but eventually fell to Alex Eala in the women's team event at the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Koay inspires Malaysians to Opening Win in Men's Event In the men's team event, Malaysia's Koay Hao Sheng proved too strong for Sanneang Long in the first singles, winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 to set the foundations for a Malaysian victory. Malaysia's tennis athlete Koay Hao Sheng in action at the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The Malaysians were pegged back however after Imran Daniel Abd Hazli lost 4-6, 2-6 in the second singles before Koay teamed up with Agil in the doubles match to win 6-4, 6-3 and seal an overall 2-1 win for Malaysia in the opening round of the men's team event. #SportPlusSG #Tennis #SEAGames31

No added pressure from Singapore Table Tennis Association for Singapore's young starlets amidst rising expectations following Singapore Smash 2023 Rising star Izaac Quek will looking to build on his momentum following a phenomenal showing at Singapore Smash 2023. PHOTO: SINGAPORE TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION Singapore, 2 May 2023 – Singapore, 2 May 2023 - For the second time in a year, Singapore Table Tennis Association will be sending a young team of paddlers up to the biennial Southeast Asian Games with the main goal of blooding its talents for bigger competitions. This is especially the case with the Asian Games on the horizon later this year. While certain quarters that are more concerned with short-term success have leveled criticism at the approach after Singapore failed to make an appearance in either of the Men's or Women's Singles finals at last year's SEA Games, STTA are confident playing the long game will reap rewards in time to come. Wong Xin Ru will be making her second SEA Games appearance this month. PHOTO: JOHN YEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG New Culture Indeed, Singapore's outstanding showing at the 2022 Glasgow Commonwealth Games must be testament to a new culture that is being built from the ground up, in both entrusting and empowering its athletes to express themselves the best way possible, while sheltering them from understandable expectations that come with donning the Singapore jersey and flag on their chest. At the Commonwealth Games last year, Feng Tian Wei and Zeng Jian produced an all-Singapore final in the women's event, with Feng signing off an illustrious career in the best way possible by capturing the elusive gold medal, while the duo also clinched the Women's Doubles Gold. Koen Pang will hope to replicate his SEA Games gold medal success from 2019. PHOTO: JOHN YEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore also enjoyed success in the Team Event with the Women's team comprising Feng Tian Wei, Zhou Jing Yi, Zeng Jian and Wong Xin Ru taking gold while the Men's team took silver as debutant Izaac Quek and Ethan Poh had their first taste of success at a Major Games, joining Clarence Chew and Koen Pang on the podium. Rising Expectations Expectations have skyrocketed since then, with both Izaac Quek and Koen Pang delivering phenomenal performances at the 2023 Singapore Smash that saw both Singapore starlet's global rankings enter the 70s for the first time. Quek ascended an impressive 25 places to No. 72, while Pang climbed 20 places to reach No. 79. Speaking to members of media at a media conference last Thursday, STTA Deputy President Ms Poh Li San was eager to deflect unnecessary pressure from Singapore's young talents, emphasizing that while there are targets that have been set for the event, the SEA Games is just a platform for Singapore's young paddlers to gain experience for the bigger stage. Olympian Clarence Chew leads the men's team with his experience, having first made his SEA Games debut in Myanmar in 2013. PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG Said Poh: "Understandable there are expecations but for us there is no more pressure for the two of them as what they achieved (as Singapore Smash) was merely a bonus. The SEA Games is really for our athletes to have opportunities as possible leading up to the Asian Games, with a field that is a lot stronger with the likes of China, Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong." "This will hopefully further improve their rankings, and help them to qualify for next year's Olympics." Three paddlers will also be making their SEA Games bows this month, with Beh Kun Ting (22), Ser Lin Qian (17) and Izaac Quek (17) never having played at the regional Games before. Zeng Jian will be leading the Women's Team as a senior, having won a host of personal and team accolades over the years. PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG Full Squad List Men's Team 1. Clarence Chew 周哲宇, 28 years old (first SEA Games 2013, His 6th SEA Games) 2. Izaac Quek 郭勇, 17 years old (Debutant) 3. Koen Pang 冯耀恩 , 21 years old (first SEA Games 2019, His 3rd SEA Games) 4. Ethan Poh 傅绍锋, 24 years old (first SEA Games 2017, His 4th SEA Games) 5. Beh Kun Ting 马昆廷. 22 years old (Debutant) Women's Team 1. Zeng Jian 曾尖 , 27 years old (first SEA Games 2022. Her 2nd SEA Games) 2. Zhou Jingyi 周靖祎, 18 years 0ld (first SEA Games 2022. Her 2nd SEA Games) 3. Wong Xin Ru 王歆茹, 22 years old (first SEA Games 2019. Her 3rd SEA Games 4. Ser Lin Qian 舒麟茜, 17 years old (Debutant) 5. Goi Rui Xuan 魏睿萱, 22 years old (first SEA Games 2019. Her 3rd SEA Games) Zhou Jingyi (centre), one of several impressive young home grown talents, will feature at her second SEA Games. PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG #SportPlusSG #TableTennis #SEAGames2023

Two-times SEA Games gold medallist and the holder of four national records shares the reasons behind his comeback PHOTO: JAEMS CHUA, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, 4 May 2023 - For the past five years, Soh Rui Yong found himself spectating the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games from his home. During that time, he also set four new national records for the men’s 5000m, 10,000m, half marathon and marathon, and began studying for a law degree at the University College London. Although Rui Yong’s sporting performance had improved in the five years, he admitted he did not feel he was “losing out too much” by having to sit out the SEA Games. Yet, he was not entirely at peace as he watched the last two editions of the regional competition from the sidelines. Seeing the performance of his fellow distance-runners, and abuse hurled at sports administrators and athletes during the competitions, Rui Yong said this motivated him to return and support his fellow compatriots. “What inspired me to come back was seeing that there was no one really yet to fill my shoes. And I wanted to come back and show I’m five years older, I can still do it, come on, come with me,” said the 31-year-old. “Hopefully that can inspire the next generation to achieve what I’ve done and excel past that.” PHOTO: JAEMS CHUA, SPORTPLUS.SG But he recognised the need to reconcile with various parties before he could do so. “For me I’ve never been a very quiet personality… which is why I got in trouble on a few occasions,” said Rui Yong. “I believe in what I stood for, but maybe I could have done it in a more concise and less confrontational way which may have had better effects.” PHOTO: JAEMS CHUA, SPORTPLUS.SG “So, putting that aside, learning from it, I took steps to make my way back onto the team,” he added. In fact, the current leadership at Singapore Athletics played a vital role in his comeback. “When President Lien Choong Luen won the elections in 2020 with his new team, athletics has been on the rise,” said the distance runner. “The morale has gone up, and that’s also why I wanted to come back.” “President Lien… he was interested in having me back,” said Rui Yong. “So, I was obviously flattered, but I also wanted to do my best because I wanted to help this leadership.” PHOTO: JAEMS CHUA, SPORTPLUS.SG Having never run the 10,000m event at the SEA Games with his best placing in the 5,000m event being fifth, Rui Yong has been hard at work to prepare for the competition that runs from 5-17 May in Phnom Penh. While he will be running with spiked shoes in Cambodia, Rui Yong uses the Under Armour Flow Velocity Elite for his other races and the Under Armour HOVR Sonic for trainings. The six weeks he has had to train for the upcoming games is far from the usual three to six months he usually takes. But he believes he has done his best and is excited to see what he can achieve from such a short period of preparation. “If I can squeeze my way into the top three, I’ll be extremely satisfied given everything that has happened,” he said. #SportPlusSG #Athletics #SEAGames2023

Team Singapore Women's Rugby Team Claims SEA 7s Crown at Singapore Rugby 7s, besting regional rivals Malaysia in lead up to year end Southeast Asian Games PHOTO: JOASH CHOW, SPORTPLUS.SG After years of coming heartbreakingly close, the Singapore Women’s Rugby 7s team finally broke their finals jinx in spectacular fashion—clinching their first-ever Southeast Asia 7s (SEA 7s) title with a comeback victory over regional rivals Malaysia at the National Stadium. A Final Worth Waiting For Having dispatched the same opponents 28-5 during the group stage, the Singapore side entered the gold medal match as favourites. But finals are rarely straightforward—especially in the frenetic world of rugby sevens. Malaysia struck early with a surprise try in the opening minute, catching the hosts off guard. But calm heads prevailed. Just two minutes later, Singapore’s #11 Jayne Chan delivered a swift reply, darting through the defence for a try and nailing the conversion to give Singapore a slender 7–5 halftime lead. “We knew anything could happen in a final,” said captain Victoria Chew, reflecting on the fast-paced opener. “But as a team, we stayed reactive and kept adapting. That’s what got us through.” PHOTO: JOASH CHOW, SPORTPLUS.SG Discipline and Determination Singapore’s composure under pressure earned praise from head coach Rex Wang, who noted that halftime adjustments were key to the turnaround. “It was a mistake that led to the early try, but the girls cleaned it up quickly,” Wang said. “Our message at the break was simple—trust the system, stick to the process.” The second half was a tense, tactical battle played largely in the midfield, with both sides struggling to break through resolute defences. But then came the moment of magic—once again from Jayne Chan—who found a gap and surged over the line to score her second try, securing a 12–5 lead and, ultimately, Singapore’s historic win. PHOTO: JOASH CHOW, SPORTPLUS.SG A Victory for the Team—and the Nation The final whistle sparked jubilation in the stands and on the pitch, as the Singapore players celebrated a long-awaited triumph on home soil. Having finished second in the last two SEA 7s finals, the victory was as much about redemption as it was about silverware. Describing the win as “surreal,” Chew highlighted the broader significance of the achievement. “This isn’t just for us—it’s for the entire rugby community in Singapore,” she said. “Playing at home adds pressure, but it also gives you strength. We showed we could thrive under that pressure.” PHOTO: JOASH CHOW, SPORTPLUS.SG Eyes on the SEA Games With the SEA 7s crown now secured, the team turns its focus toward an even bigger goal: the SEA Games in December, where Thailand awaits as the host nation and likely title contender. Coach Wang acknowledged the leadership shown by his senior players, but emphasised that the competition for spots remains open. “We have new talent emerging, with some players making their debuts and others featuring for our Singapore ‘A’ squad,” he said. “It’s an exciting time, and the door is wide open for players to earn their place in the SEA Games squad.” A New Chapter Begins The SEA 7s win marks a new era for the Singapore Women’s team—one defined not by near misses, but by silverware, belief, and momentum. With eyes now set on the elusive SEA Games gold, the newly crowned champions are ready to write the next chapter of their story. #SgRugby7s #SEA7s #TeamSingapore

Singapore Athletics announces SEA Games 2025 Squad, and Full Athletes List for Athletics Elizabeth-Ann Tan will participate in the 100m and 200m events, and a member of Singapore's national record 4x100m women's relay team. PHOTO: ALDRICH GOH Singapore, 3 September 2025 - Singapore will be represented by a record 39 athletes – 26 men and 13 women – at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand this December, Singapore Athletics announced yesterday. This marks the largest overseas contingent in the nation’s athletics history, with an unprecedented line-up reflecting the depth and quality of Singapore’s track and field scene, with athletes competing across sprints, middle- and long-distance races, hurdles, jumps, throws, and relays. Shanti Pereira is the most decorated Singapore sprinter and the defending gold medallist for women's 100m and 200m events. PHOTO: SINGAPORE ATHLETICS Sprint Queen Shanti Pereira to Lead Women’s Team Leading the charge is Singapore’s Sprint Queen Shanti Pereira , who will contest the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. With six senior continental medals to her name and five World Championship appearances – the most by any Singaporean athlete – Shanti is a proven contender at the international level. Her blistering speed makes her one of Singapore’s brightest medal hopes at the SEA Games. The women's 4x100m relay team set a new national record at the Asian Athletics Championship 2025 in Gumi, South Korea this year. PHOTO: SINGAPORE ATHLETICS Joining her in the women’s squad are rising stars such as Elizebeth-Ann Tan (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Kerstin Ong (100m hurdles, 4x100m), and Tia Rozario (long jump, triple jump). Distance specialists Vanessa Lee (3000m steeplechase, 5000m, 10000m) and Nicole Low (5000m) will showcase Singapore’s strength beyond the sprints. In the marathon, debutant Goh Shing Ling will carry Singapore’s hopes in the grueling 42.195km race, marking a significant milestone for the women’s endurance team. Goh Shing Ling is Singapore's sole female marathon representative, and qualified with a 2:50 marathon in Gold Coast this year. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS Calvin Quek Anchors Men’s Squad On the men’s side, Calvin Quek headlines the team as one of Southeast Asia’s top 400m hurdlers. Fresh from setting a national record of 49.75s, Calvin will feature in both the hurdles and the 4x400m relay. Having already made two World Championship appearances, he brings invaluable experience to Singapore’s largest SEA Games athletics team. Other key names include Marc Brian Louis (100m, 200m, 4x100m), national distance stalwart Soh Rui Yong (5000m, 10000m), as well as field event specialists like Low Jun Yu (pole vault), Kampton Kam (high jump), and Andrew Medina (long jump, triple jump). Calvin Quek helped the men's 400m relay team clinch bronze at the 2022 SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Marathon Spotlight: Youth Meets Experience The marathon event will see a compelling mix of youth and experience representing Singapore. Richard Heng , making his SEA Games debut, is the youngest member of the entire contingent and will test himself against Southeast Asia’s best over 42.195km. At the other end of the spectrum, Henry He Yong , the oldest athlete on the squad, brings grit and resilience as he returns to tackle the marathon. Together with women’s debutant Goh Shing Ling , Singapore’s marathoners embody both the promise of a new generation and the perseverance of seasoned veterans. Richard Heng is Singapore's rising star and set to make his SEA Games debut in Bangkok. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS Building on a Golden Era of Success The record contingent builds on Singapore Athletics’ resurgence at recent SEA Games. At the 2023 Games in Cambodia, the team enjoyed one of its most successful outings in decades, winning 3 gold, 2 silver, and 5 bronze medals (10 total). Highlights included: Shanti Pereira’s historic sprint double, capturing gold in both the 100m and 200m while setting a new 200m Games and National Record. Ang Chen Xiang’s gold medal in the 110m hurdles, Singapore’s first victory in that event since 1967. A new men’s 4x400m relay national record, signaling depth in the relay squad. Kerstin Ong is set to make her SEA Games bow in the 100m hurdles, having set a new national record. PHOTO: RUSSELL WONG That performance followed the 2022 SEA Games in Hanoi, where Singapore claimed 1 gold, 3 silver, and 7 bronze medals (11 total) – the nation’s best athletics showing since 1993. The team also set five national records and achieved eight personal bests, including breakthroughs in the women’s 100m hurdles and a podium finish for the men’s 4x100m relay team. These back-to-back achievements have been described as the beginning of a “golden era” for Singapore Athletics, showcasing the dedication, talent, and steady development of the sport. Thiruben is a SEA Games medallist and the 800m and 4x400m national record holder for Singapore in the men's events. PHOTO: SINGAPORE ATHLETICS A Historic Milestone for Singapore Athletics With 39 athletes representing Singapore across nearly every discipline, the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand marks a historic milestone for the nation’s athletics. The contingent combines experienced campaigners with exciting new talents, underlining years of progress in nurturing a broader and stronger pool of athletes. Fans can expect electrifying performances from Singapore’s sprinters, inspiring runs from distance athletes, and powerful displays from jumpers and throwers. Whether on the track, in the field, or on the roads, Team Singapore is ready to make its mark at the 33rd SEA Games. History will be written as Singapore Athletics sends its largest-ever delegation to the regional stage – a testament to the nation’s growing stature in Southeast Asian athletics. High jumper and national record holder Kampton Kam has had a sterling season and jumped into the top 8 in the US College season representing Penn Track & Field. PHOTO: PENN TRACK & FIELD Full SEA Games 2025 Singapore Athletics Squad Men's Team Marc Brian Louis - 100m, 200m, 4x100m Tate Tan - 100m, 4x100m Daryl Tan - 4x100m Xander Ho - 4x100m Yan Teo - 4x100m Mark Lee - 4x100m Ang Chen Xiang - 110m Hurdles Harry Curran - 200m Reuben Lee - 400m, 4x400m Subaraghav Hari - 400m, 4x400m Calvin Quek - 400m h, 4x400m Thiruben - 800m, 4x400m Zubin Muncherji - 800m, 4x400m Oliver Lim - 1500m Amir Rusyaidi Osman - 1500m Shaun Goh - 5000m, 10000m Soh Rui Yong - 5000m, 10000m Soh Rui Yong will be making a return to the SEA Games fold. His last apperance in 2023 saw him bag silver in the men's 10,000m event. PHOTO: SOH RUI YONG Low Jun Yu - Pole Vault Kampton Kam - High Jump Andrew Pak - High Jump Feng Han Lin - Long Jump Andrew Medina - Long Jump, Triple Jump Gabriel Lee - Triple Jump Eric Yee - Discus Throw Henry He Yong - Marathon Richard Heng - Marathon Vanessa Lee has broken multiple national records this year and won the National 2.4KM Championships. PHOTO: POCARI SWEAT FACEBOOK Women's Team Shanti Pereira - 100m, 200m, 4x100m Elizebeth-Ann Tan - 100m, 200m, 4x100m Kerstin Ong - 100m Hurdles, 4x100m Laavinia Jaiganth - 4x100m Shannon Tan - 4x100m Sarah Poh - 4x100m Vanessa Lee - 3000m Steeple Chase, 5000m, 10000m Nicole Low - 5000m Goh Shing Ling - Marathon Amelia Goh - High Jump Jade Chew - High Jump Tia Rozario - Long Jump, Triple Jump Chloe Chee - Long Jump #SEAGames2025 #SEAGamesThailand #SingaporeAthletics

Everything Fans Need to Know About the 33rd SEA Games in Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 2025) will return to Thailand from 9 to 20 December 2025, with events hosted across Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Chonburi, and Songkhla. Known officially as the 33rd SEA Games and commonly referred to as Thailand 2025 , the event promises to be one of the most exciting editions in recent history, featuring over 40 sports across multiple clusters. For fans planning their trip, here’s a complete competition schedule and venue guide to help you follow the action. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Host Cities and Venue Clusters The 2025 SEA Games will utilise some of Thailand’s most iconic sporting venues, many of which previously staged major international events such as the 1985 SEA Games, the 1998 Asian Games, and the 2007 Summer Universiade. 🏙 Bangkok Metropolitan Region (Main Cluster) Sports hosted : Majority of the 31 sports Venues include : Bangkok and surrounding provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon Bangkok Cluster : Bangkok Royal Plaza (Sanam Luang), Swimming Pool, SAT, Bangkok, Sports Authority of Thailand, Bangkok; Suphachalasai Stadium, National Stadium; Thammasat University Rangsit Campus, Pathum Thani; Aquatic Center, Assumption University Suvarnabhumi Campus, Samut Prakan; Thammasat Water Sports Center, Thammasat University Rangsit Campus, Pathum Thani; Baseball Stadium, Queen Sirikit Sports Center, Pathum Thani; Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani; Nimibutr Stadium, National Stadium, Bangkok; Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl, Major Cineplex Ratchayothin, Bangkok; Thailand International Boxing Training Center, SAT, Bangkok; 2 TerdThai Cricket Grounds & Asian Institute of Technology ,Bangkok; Kamol Sports Park, Bangkok; Hua Mark Velodrome, Bangkok Highlights : Athletics, swimming, gymnastics, volleyball, and other marquee events PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG 🌊 Chonburi Province (Coastal Cluster) Sports hosted : 15 Venues : Pattaya and surrounding districts Chonburi Cluster: Jomtien Beach, Pattaya City, Chon Buri; Hall B&C Ambassador city hotel Jomtien, Pattaya City, Chonburi; The Royal Thai Navy Rowing and Canoeing Training Center, Rayong; Prem Auditorium, Thaksin University Songkhla Campus, Songkhla; Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Chon Buri; National Sports University Chonburi, Chonburi; ; Nonthaburi Province Stadium, Nonthaburi; Bangkokthonburi University, Samut Prakan; Siam Country Club Pattaya, Chonburi Highlights : Sailing, beach volleyball, water sports, and selected combat sports 🌴 Songkhla Province (Southern Cluster) Sports hosted : 10 Venues : Songkhla city and nearby coastal areas Highlights : Rowing, sepak takraw, martial arts, and select team sports Outlying Venues Chiang Mai : Men’s football preliminaries Ratchaburi : Skeet shooting 📅 Key Dates and Competition Schedule Opening Ceremony : 9 December 2025 – Bangkok Closing Ceremony : 20 December 2025 – Bangkok Week 1 (9 – 14 December 2025) Men’s Football group stages (Chiang Mai, Bangkok) Aquatics: Swimming, water polo, diving (Bangkok) Athletics heats begin (Bangkok) Combat sports preliminaries: Boxing, Taekwondo, Judo (Bangkok & Chonburi) Beach Volleyball & Sailing (Chonburi) Week 2 (15 – 20 December 2025) Athletics finals including 100m, 200m, relays (Bangkok) Gymnastics finals (Bangkok) Rowing & Canoeing (Songkhla) Sepak Takraw medal matches (Songkhla) Men’s Football semi-finals and final (Bangkok) Closing Ceremony on 20 December For the full competition schedule, visit the 2025 SEA Games official website here . PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Thailand’s Legacy as SEA Games Host Thailand has a proud tradition of hosting the SEA Games. 2025 will mark the seventh time the country has staged the event. Bangkok previously hosted in 1959, 1967, 1975, and 1985, while this will be the first time Chonburi and Songkhla serve as main host cities. This edition is also historic as the first SEA Games awarded through a formal bidding and election process, with Thailand’s joint bid confirmed on 13 January 2023. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Travel Tips for SEA Games Fans ✈️ Getting There : International fans can fly into Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) or Don Mueang International Airport for Bangkok cluster events. Pattaya (Chonburi) and Hat Yai (Songkhla) are also well-connected domestically. 🚆 Transport : Thailand’s rail and bus networks link Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla, while high-speed rail between Bangkok and Pattaya offers quick transfers. 🎟 Tickets : Official ticketing details will be released by the SEA Games Organising Committee closer to the event. Fans are encouraged to follow updates through the official SEA Games 2025 website . 🏨 Accommodation : Bangkok offers a wide range of hotels for every budget, while Chonburi and Songkhla provide scenic stays near the coast for fans attending cluster events. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Why Fans Should Be Excited for SEA Games 2025 With 50 sports, a historic multi-cluster format, and venues steeped in Southeast Asia’s sporting history, the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand promises a festival of competition, culture, and community spirit. Fans can expect thrilling athletics, fierce football battles, exciting water sports in Chonburi, and traditional Southeast Asian games like sepak takraw in Songkhla. 📢 Mark your calendars: 9–20 December 2025. The SEA Games 2025 is set to be one of the year’s biggest sporting spectacles — and Thailand is ready to welcome Southeast Asia to the heart of Bangkok, the beaches of Chonburi, and the shores of Songkhla. #SEAGames2025 #Thailand2025 #33rdSEAGames

Ikhsan Fandi goal denies the Garuda a semi-final first leg win in a frustrating evening for the Lions Image via Football Association of Singapore 22 December 2021, Singapore - A brilliant assist by Faris Ramli that was finished off by Ikhsan Fandi in the 70th minute saved Singapore's blushes against Group B winners Indonesia, as the two sides fought out a pulsating 1-1 draw in the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final match at the Singapore National Stadium on Wednesday. The Garuda drew first blood on 28 minutes when some intricate passing down the right left the Lions' rearguard flat footed, and it was left to Witan Sulaeman to side foot home the opener, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner of Hassan Sunny's net after Asnawi had teed him up. It proved to be a frustrating evening for the Lions, who toiled without reward for long periods and entered the break trailing to Indonesia 0-1. The Lions came out with renewed rigour in the second half and their industry was rewarded with better chances created. Singapore draw level Their hardwork was finally rewarded 20 minutes from time when Faris Ramli came to Singapore's rescue, a jinking run through the heart of the Indonesian defence before playing Ikhsan Fandi through on goal, and the new BG Pathum attacker did not disappoint, poking home his third goal of the tournament to level the scores for Singapore. Both sides threatened a number of times in the remainder of the game, but there would not be a winner as it ended all square. Image via Football Association of Singapore Indonesia and Singapore lock horns again on Christmas day in a decider which will determine a spot in the final against either Vietnam or Thailand in this edition of the AFF Suzuki Cup. Tickets for the second semi-final match have already been sold out, but Singapore fans can catch the action on meWatch. #SportPlusSG #Football #SingaporeFootball #AFFSuzukiCup #SuzukiCup2020