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Sport Plus Media Pte Ltd works with Singapore athletes and content creators to pilot media-fronted racing team to test out athlete sponsorships model for local and regional races PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSIEN, SPORTPLUS.SG January 28, 2025 [Singapore] – Media publisher and content agency Sport Plus Media Pte Ltd , also known as SportPlus.sg , a leader in sports marketing and media, is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated Racing Team, " Team SportPlus " , set to compete in duathlons, hybrid races, marathons, and other endurance events throughout 2025. PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSIEN, SPORTPLUS.SG With a focus on innovation, performance, and content creation, Team SportPlus  comprises a unique blend of elite athletes and sports content creators dedicated to pushing the limits of endurance sports while engaging and inspiring a regional audience. PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSIEN, SPORTPLUS.SG This new initiative marks an exciting chapter for SportPlus.sg as it expands its involvement in the athletic community, blending competitive excellence with cutting-edge media production. Having the largest and most diverse network of athletes and sports creators in Singapore, and working with the majority of Singapore's most established races and events, SportPlus.sg  believes the concept of a media-led racing team has good potential to take flight in the coming years, and would like to pilot an initiative in 2025 to evaluate its potential. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The initiative seeks to explore how media-led sports teams in Singapore can potentially offer better returns of investment (ROI) for brands without the need to sacrifice athlete support at the same time, in order to grow the local sporting ecosystem in the mid to longer term. PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSIEN, SPORTPLUS.SG The Racing Team will not only compete at local and regional races but will also document their training, races, and personal journeys, creating compelling content that connects with sports and fitness enthusiasts, and followers across various digital platforms. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG "We're thrilled to launch the SportPlus Racing Team  and take our passion for sports to the next level,” said John Yeong , Founder and CEO of Sport Plus Media Pte Ltd. “Our team will comprise of not only some of Singapore's best athletes but also dynamic sports content creators who will bring their experiences, insights, and inspiration to an audience that expects high quality content from everyday people." PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG "This is about pushing performance boundaries, while at the same time telling stories that resonate, and elevate the culture of endurance sports in Singapore to show businesses and brands that sports in Singapore is worth investing into,” he added. The team has recruited over 30 athletes who hail from different genres of sports including HYROX, running and duathlon; with a focus on individuals who are not only driven to perform but also passionate about creating authentic and engaging content. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG These athletes will receive support from the team's sponsors such as Garmin , iRun Singapore , Simply Active Asia , Oakley , and Muscle Lab Singapore , and will have the opportunity to collaborate with SportPlus’ media team to produce content through its digital channels to promote their own personal brand for better exposure. Partners of Team SportPlus play a crucial role in driving the team's success. Through their commitment, they bring technical expertise, and also invaluable support through resources and access to better equipment and recovery services to enhance athlete support - helping the team to make it a better racing experience for its athletes and creators. PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSIEN, SPORTPLUS.SG SportPlus.sg  is excited to collaborate with its team of athletes to deliver an exciting and multifaceted approach to sports marketing, bringing fans closer to the action and inspiring the next generation of athletes. Through powerful storytelling and immersive content, the Racing Team aims to showcase the highs and lows of endurance sports, highlight the hard work that goes into training, and share real, raw experiences with a passionate audience. While Team SportPlus'  intention is not to recruit the biggest names in Singapore sports, it does hope to offer a platform to showcase young athletes who are rising stars as a showcase to its network of partners, in the hope that these athletes can secure future endorsements to support their sporting journeys. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG John shared: "Our years working in this industry have shown that unless you are a Joseph Schooling, Loh Kean Yew or Shanti Pereira, you are unlikely to get brands knocking on your door. Our culture here is you either have to achieve greatness first before brands coming seeking you out, or you need to have a high following before you get noticed." "We may not have the resources as big as many of the MNCs, but we hope that through the work we do and the platform we have we can help connect the many talented athletes here to opportunities from our partners." Partners interested in working with Team SportPlus can write an email to info@sportplus.sg . PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG About Sport Plus Media Pte Ltd SportPlus.sg   is a forward-thinking sports media agency specialising in content creation, athlete representation, and brand partnerships. With a commitment to delivering high-quality, authentic sports stories, SportPlus.sg  works with brands and athletes to create engaging and impactful narratives that resonate with global audiences. #SportPlusSG #TeamSportPlus #SportPlusCreators #SgSports

As Arif prepares for an ambitious debut at the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon, Sportplus.sg speaks with the SEA Games duathlete about his training and the motivation behind his goals PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANIDA HUSSIEN Each year, the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon serves as the first marathon for countless runners. Ahmad Arif Ibrahim will be one of those runners this year, taking on his first 42.195km along the beautiful Surfers' Paradise in July. And as a competitive national athlete, it’s no surprise that he has set a very ambitious goal for himself in his first ever marathon. “No secrets — I’m chasing that sub-2:30. Go big or go home,” the 31-year-old announced on an Instagram post after achieving a 5km personal best at the 85th Singapore Open Track and Field Championships last month. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / SYUHAINI AZLIN Speaking to SportPlus.sg , Arif shares that though he knows just how bold it is to set his sights on a feat not many have achieved, he sees it as a way of testing his true abilities. “I wanted to see what I’m truly capable of—physically and mentally. Initially, I didn’t have a specific target until Soh Rui Yong issued the challenge through Project Exceed , a collaboration with Live Long Long . That gave me the extra push to aim big. After studying past Singaporean marathon times, I realised sub-2:30 is no small feat,” said the endurance athlete. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANIDA HUSSIEN “But with nothing to lose, I’m going all in. It’s a goal that demands everything I’ve got and more.” With the Gold Coast Marathon set to take place on 6th July, the race serves as a mid-year peak for Arif to train towards, before shifting his focus back to racing the duathlon in Rayong, Thailand for the SEA Games in December. PHOTO: DYLAN TJHIA / SPORT SINGAPORE Having competed in numerous regional and local multi-sport events, the SEA Games silver medalist and three-time National Duathlon Champion has always loved the running leg. With his energy typically divided between cycling and running during races, he began to envision what he could achieve by dedicating his focus entirely to his favourite discipline. Renowned for its flat course and stunning scenery, the Gold Coast Marathon is considered one of the fastest marathons—an ideal choice for runners aiming for a personal best or tackling their first 42.2 km. This was a key factor in Arif’s decision to choose it as his debut marathon. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / SYUHAINI AZLIN “Compared to humid local races, Gold Coast offers cooler, drier weather, which is ideal for marathon running and removes one more variable on race day. It’s also a popular event in the Singapore endurance scene, so I’ll be racing alongside familiar faces,” shared Arif. “The flat course makes pacing more predictable. I can lock into my goal pace early and hold it without having to adjust constantly for hills. That consistency helps reduce both physical fatigue and mental strain on race day. No surprises — just me versus the clock.” PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANIDA HUSSIEN Having been a competitive athlete for most of his life, Arif knows all too well the possible challenges he could face, and has been up in arms to brace and prepare to face them head on. The biggest hurdle? Coming face to face with the infamous “wall”. “Bonking late in the race could derail the entire sub-2:30 attempt. To prevent that, I’ve been practicing marathon fueling on my long runs — aiming for around 90g of carbs per hour, with a gel every 20 minutes,” he explained. “Preparations have been going really well. I’ve ramped up my weekly mileage from my usual 70 km to between 120–160 km. I’ve also cleaned up my diet, dropped some weight, and focused more on recovery. In the process, I even set a new 5K PB — something I wasn’t expecting during a marathon block. I’m excited to see how much further and faster I can go.” PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANIDA HUSSIEN Though plenty of runners will be deservedly looking to celebrate their marathon achievements by exploring the many sights of Gold Coast and Surfer’s Paradise, Arif will be flying in and out due to work commitments—making the marathon his one and only focus. “From the buzz at the start line to the ocean breeze along the flat course, I want to be fully present — to enjoy the crowds, the views, and the privilege of racing alongside thousands of others. This race is my Gold Coast experience, and I plan to make every kilometre count.” Though the full and half marathons have sold out, slots for the 5KM and 10KM race are still available. If you wish to experience the magic of running the white beaches of Gold Coast, sign up here . #GCM2025   #RunGoldCoast

After major upgrades including building three stands to raise capacity to 10,000, Bishan Stadium is set for a sold out continental showdown on Sunday—and here's all you need to know PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS / ASHOK KUMAR The 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two final will witness a landmark moment in Asian football history as Singapore’s Lion City Sailors (LCS) is set to face off against the United Arab Emirates’ Sharjah FC at Bishan Stadium on Sunday, 18 May 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 8PM local time. This match marks the first continental final hosted in Singapore and represents a pivotal juncture for both clubs, with LCS aiming to become the first Singaporean team to lift an Asian trophy, while Sharjah seeks to solidify its growing reputation in West Asian football. Bishan Stadium: From Humble Ground to Continental Stage Originally a 2,800-seat venue, Bishan Stadium underwent rapid upgrades to meet AFC standards, including temporary stands raising capacity to 10,000. The Sailors’ management collaborated with local authorities to install enhanced lighting, media facilities, and security infrastructure, ensuring the venue’s readiness after Sharjah's initial objection towards playing the final at Jalan Besar Stadium. All the hard work of over 100 workers will come to fruition, as set to grace Bishan stadium is President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Announced by Lion City Sailors in an Instagram post, President Tharman will be the Guest of Honour on Sunday's highly-anticipated final. Having graced the 2023/24 AFC Champions League opener against Bangkok United in September 2023, President Tharman and The Sailors are set for a full circle moment, as he's now set to meet and watch the team play in the nation's first ever major continental final. Lion City Sailors’ Historic Campaign LCS’s journey to the final has been defined by resilience and tactical ingenuity. After finishing third in the 2023 Singapore Premier League (SPL) and winning the 2023 Singapore Cup, they entered the ACL Two group stage as underdogs but topped Group F with 10 points, including a decisive 2-0 victory over China’s Zhejiang and a 3-1 away win against Thailand’s Port FC.  PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / FAIZAL BASIR Having cruised into the quarter finals after defeating Muangthong United in both legs of the round of 16, LCS' knockout phase heroics began in the quarter-finals. Despite losing the first leg, they were awarded a 3-0 walkover as Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima were found to have fielded an ineligible player. A goalless draw in the second leg sealed their semi-final berth, where they stunned Australia’s Sydney FC with a 2-0 home victory courtesy of goals from Bart Ramselaar and in-form striker Lennart Thy. Though they fell to Sydney in the second leg, The Sailors booked their tickets to the finals having won 2-1 on aggregate. The Sailors’ continental success has paralleled domestic dominance, as they clinched their second SPL title on 10 May  with a 1-0 win over Tanjong Pagar United, fueled by Maxime Lestienne’s penalty and a watertight defense. This double pursuit highlights the squad’s depth, with both young and veteran players putting in the shift to create a bond shared widely across the squad. The team also boasts in-form strikers Shawal Anuar and Thy—who has netted 10 goals in his last six matches across competitions. Sharjah FC’s Dramatic Ascent PHOTO: SHARJAH FC Sharjah’s path to the final epitomises late-game theatrics. The Emirati side, currently second in the UAE Pro League , edged past Tajikistan’s Istiklol 1-0 in their group opener before surviving a tough semi-final against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Wehdat. Trailing 1-0 after the first leg, Sharjah produced a stoppage-time masterclass in the return fixture, with Ousmane Camara and Firas Ben Arbi scoring in the 94th and 99th minutes to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory. Their attacking trio of Moussa Marega, Paco Alcácer, and Camara has combined for 15 ACL Two goals, exploiting defensive lapses with ruthless efficiency. Sailors’ Home Advantage and Momentum PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS LCS enters the final riding a wave of momentum, having just been crowned domestic champions on Thursday. Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković has instilled a high-pressing style, leveraging the creativity of Lestienne (8 assists in SPL) and Thy’s aerial prowess. The recent SPL triumph allows them to focus solely on continental glory, with Ranković emphasizing “hunger for more trophies” in post-title celebrations. Sharjah’s Away Resilience Sharjah has excelled in knockout football, winning four of their five ACL Two away matches. Their 3-4-3 formation, orchestrated by playmaker Khaled Bawazir, prioritizes quick transitions and wide overloads-a strategy that could test LCS’s full-backs Christopher van Huizen and Diogo Costa. Supporting The Sailors on Sunday If you're headed to Bishan Stadium, take note of the parking and drop off spots recommended by the club to ensure smooth arrival to the stadium. There will also be a pre-match carnival from 4pm onwards, where there will be complimentary games, match tattoos and snacks. Tickets sold out within 24 hours, reflecting unprecedented local interest. Fortunately for those who did not get their tickets, LCS has partnered with Mediacorp and various grassroots organisations to bring the AFC Champions League Two Final 2025 to the heartlands via live screenings  with free admission at four locations across Singapore — namely Bishan Community Club, Our Tampines Hub, Heartbeat@Bedok and One Punggol. #LionCitySailors   #ACLTwo #AllHandsOnDeck

Meet Ashok Kumar and Eric Teo, the two unsung heroes behind the camera making sure to capture everlasting memories for The Sailors and their historical ACL Two campaign PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS / ASHOK KUMAR You never know how two opposing emotions can be felt so intensely at the same time until you’re living in the very moment. For the Lion City Sailors and the club’s staff, it was utter disbelief and childlike joy when they triumphed over Sydney FC in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two, becoming the first Singaporean side in history to reach the finals of a major continental tournament. That night, it was impossible to be unaware of the feat achieved by the team as the celebrations circulated all over social media. There were two staff members, however, who were absent from all the photos— and for the most part, they’ll rarely appear in team pictures shared with the world. That’s because they’re the ones behind the lens, entrusted with capturing those moments for everyone else. Ashok Kumar and Eric Teo began their ACL Two journey with the team in September 2024, when The Sailors kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 win against Zhejiang Professional at Jalan Besar Stadium. Back then, nobody thought that it would all culminate with a historic sold out grand final for The Sailors at home—set to be played on 18th May at 8 pm . PHOTO VIA ASHOK KUMAR “It’s still surreal and emotional. I’m still pinching myself knowing that we are the first Singaporean team to have made it this far. I've seen firsthand how hard the team worked for this, and to witness that journey through my lens all the way to the final is something I'll never forget. I felt pride not just as a photographer, but as part of the team,” shared Ashok, who is behind the photos taken for the ACL Two campaign. “Looking back, surely none of us expected to go all the way to the finals. I cant speak for the team but to me, qualifying for the knockouts is already an accomplishment but we did far more than that,” added Eric, The Sailors’ videographer responsible for the reels reshared time and time again during the tournament. “It’s been a really interesting journey, with a string of eventual defeats despite being 2-0 up in the group stages and of course the Sanfrecce Hiroshima walkover in the quarter finals. It’s really mad because I wasn't expecting to go for more and more away days but wow, what a privilege it has been.” PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS / ASHOK KUMAR The duo, along with the rest of the communications and marketing team, traveled with the squad both home and away—creating memories and forging a bond that could only be truly understood by those fortunate enough to witness it firsthand. For Eric and Ashok, that privilege has become a driving force to ensure they’re not only taking pictures, but capturing all the raw emotions that come with football and stamping a mark on the game that will be remembered forever. “We document more than just the matches —it’s about the emotions, the bonds, and the behind-the-scenes moments that people don't always get to see. These images become part of the club's history,” said Ashok. PHOTO VIA ASHOK KUMAR Sharing the same sentiments, Eric added: “Not many people get to do what we do and it’s really about making sure we capture the big moments. Ashok and I are the only ones who get to do it so we have to do it justice. These are visuals that the Singaporeans will see and it's important in drumming up interest and support. It’ll help engage current and hopefully, new fans as well, getting people interested in not only The Sailors but local football, and how well we’ve done on the continental stage.” Between battling the adrenaline of trying to capture a high-stakes game of football and the fatigue that comes with travelling—not forgetting the intensity of quick deliverable turnarounds, it’s easy for members of the media to become desensitised to the thrill of it all. Suddenly, trying to be present becomes hard. It was the words of The Sailors’ Head Coach, Aleksandar Ranković that led to an epiphany for Ashok. “Coach Ranko mentioned to me after the semi final game against Sydney that I was capturing history in the making. It hit me then—the significance I brought to the team and the moment. They're more than just pictures. They're memories frozen in time. Each one reminds me of a moment we lived together, whether it was triumph, struggle, or even quiet reflection. These photos carry the spirit of the team, and being trusted to capture that means everything to me,” gushed the experienced photographer. PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS / ASHOK KUMAR “Every moment matters. From pre-match prep to post-match emotions, every frame tells a story. The unity of the squad on and off the pitch was something special. It reminded me that storytelling is most powerful when it's honest and human. Not forgetting the team is just not those playing on the pitch, but those who make it happen outside as well.” For Eric, it’s during the editing process where he relives every single moment. Scrolling through and stitching together the footage at the end of the day—when the world has gone just a little quieter—is when he finally finds time to process it all for himself. PHOTO VIA ERIC TEO “At the game, everything’s a blur as you’re trying to capture as much as you can. During editing, you’re looking at the footage and digesting the moment for the first time properly. I still get goosebumps,” he laughed. “A good example is when I was editing the semi finals against Sydney and we qualified for the finals. I looked back at the footage of when the full time whistle blew and the fans went crazy and the noise—that gave me goosebumps.” Having travelled from city to city across Asia, the two landed on the same one when picking a favourite—Hiroshima. And it was none other than the atmosphere and culture created by fans once again, which propelled the Japanese city to the top of the duo's ranks. For Ashok, the cold rain enveloping Sanfrecce’s home ground, Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima, added a depth and atmosphere to his photos that he couldn’t overlook. “The stadium had a raw intensity, and the fans' passion added another layer of emotion to the shots. I also loved capturing the team experiencing a new environment, which was the cold! It wasn't the first time that we were experiencing the cold weather as we had been to China but being in Japan was a whole new ball game due to the added rain as well,” he shared. PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS / ASHOK KUMAR “Out of all the cities, this one felt the most like an away day. It’s a football crazy city and you could see Hiroshima jerseys at most stores. There were fans coming up to The Sailors' staff and fans and wishing us luck. The culture and fascination around Japan and the history behind the city is what made it my favourite,” added Eric. Having lived and breathed every emotion along the journey, Eric and Ashok hope others, too, will share the feeling of this life-changing experience. “Find your style and own it. Don't be afraid to look at what others are doing but find your own spin, of course. Most importantly, enjoy it. There’s no point being in football if you’re not enjoying it, this is the best thing in the world,” shared Eric. Adding on to the sentiments, Ashok had this to say to fellow club photographers: “Be present. Don't just shoot what's in front of you. Feel it. Get to know the team, understand the journey, and shoot with intention. You're not just capturing a game, you're preserving history.” #LionCitySailorsFC   #AllHandsOnDeck   #ACL Two

Singapore's new mixed doubles pairing share their thoughts ahead of the 2025 KFF Singapore Badminton Open at the end of the month PHOTO: SINGAPORE BADMINTON ASSOCIATION / DAVID TAN This is a feature article written by SportPlus.sg for Kallang Alive Sports Management. For more sports events, programmes and human stories of Singapore Sports Hub, visit the Singapore Sports Hub's ' Here to Play' website . “Third time’s the charm.” If there’s anything that could describe Terry Hee and Jin Yujia’s young mixed doubles partnership, it would be just that. Formed in November 2024, the pair made it to the semi-finals of the Guwahati Masters, before clinching silver at the Odisha Masters—narrowly losing out to China’s Gao Jiaxuan and Tang Ruizhi. While most new pairings require time to sync before reaching the top of a podium, Terry Hee and Jin Yujia needed just three tournaments to secure their first championship. Beating India’s Bokka Navaneeth and Ritika Thaker in two straight sets at the finals of the Bangladesh International Challenge, Terry and Yujia were muted in their celebrations. For them, they had merely done what they had come to do. PHOTO: SINGAPORE BADMINTON ASSOCIATION  / DAVID TAN “Everything was part of the plan. When Coach Paulus sent us to India and Bangladesh, our expectations were to win. There are bigger stages ahead of us so the Bangladesh Open was really just the beginning for a longer journey to qualify for the top Super 750 and Super 1000 tournaments,” shared Yujia. The pair, under the guidance of National Doubles Head Coach Paulus Firman, now have their sights set on putting on a show for their home crowd at the KFF Singapore Badminton Open (KFFSBO) 2025. To them, nothing brings more honour than to walk out onto the court at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. With few tickets left - over 70% have been snapped up, and celebrations already ongoing to commemorate the special SG60 edition of the Super 750 event, this year’s KFFSBO is set to electrify Singapore Sports Hub even more than it has in previous years. PHOTO: SINGAPORE BADMINTON ASSOCIATION  / DAVID TAN The strong local crowd—which fills the stadium year after year—is what pushes Team Singapore athletes to leave it all on the court. “Playing on home soil, it will always feel very different because you know the whole stadium is behind you,” smiled Yujia. “Especially when they announce your name and you walk out, or each time you score a point, we can hear everyone cheering. When we go overseas for tournaments, we’re not one of the top few pairs who get a lot of attention. In Singapore, as Singaporeans, we naturally get a lot of support. I treasure the KFFSBO a lot and I want to at least show a good fight where we’re able to keep up with the top players in front of the home crowd.” “For me, playing at the KFFSBO always gives me extra energy. We always want to put on a good performance for our friends, family and fans. It gives me extra motivation to fight harder every time I step onto the court at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Moreover, when we walk around the stadium or at Kallang Wave Mall, there are many fans waiting to greet us and take pictures or get autographs. It’s really kind of them and I love it,” added Terry. PHOTO: SINGAPORE BADMINTON ASSOCIATION  / DAVID TAN Both Yujia and Terry have featured at several editions of the KFFSBO, albeit with different partners. Terry had previously partnered with his wife Jessica Tan up until the latter’s retirement in April 2025. The duo had reached a career-high ranking of World No. 13, were crowned Commonwealth Games Mixed Doubles Champions in 2022 and represented Singapore at the 2024 Paris Olympics. For Yujia, the 28-year-old not only had a change of partners, but also a switch in disciplines. Previously teamed up with Crystal Wong, the women’s doubles pair won eight titles, and had reached a career-high ranking of World No.16. Now playing a whole new game as a mixed-doubles shuttler, what forced Yujia to adapt was the speed of the rallies. “It’s two totally different games. In women’s doubles, it often becomes a test of stamina. But in the mixed doubles, there’s more strategising involved. The level and speed is different when you play with men, it’s a lot fiercer and faster. Additionally, my role is different as compared to in the women’s doubles. My defence needs to be more solid and I need to learn how to set up for my partner,” explained Yujia. PHOTO: SINGAPORE BADMINTON ASSOCIATION  / DAVID TAN “For me, it’s more or less similar and I do my usual thing. I’ve been playing mixed doubles for many years but of course with a different partner, I need to adapt to a different playing style, keep getting stronger and build on my individual strength so I can complement the partnership,” added Terry. Despite being a pair on the court for only seven months so far, Terry and Yujia have risen up the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings, sitting at World No. 27 at the time of writing. For the duo however, focus has and will continue to be on gelling even better on the court, and making waves towards bigger things. “We didn’t really focus on rankings because we tried to focus more on the process of every game, how we played, and what were some of the new problems we faced,” said Yujia. Terry and Yujia also had nothing but praise for their guide and strength, Coach Firman, whom Terry credits for helping to keep his head in the game when it gets heated. “His pep talks usually revolve around mental strength. He’ll encourage me to be more patient and to not rush into going for the kill thus making unforced errors. He’ll remind me about making the right shot selections too,” explained Terry. Yujia added: “Coach focuses a lot on the small details, which he can pick up on very fast, so that we can tweak the little things which may end up making a big difference to our game. I think that’s very important.” Action at the KFFSBO will begin on Tuesday 27th May at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, with the finals set to be played on Sunday 1st June. As seen at previous editions, fans will have the chance to meet the players at the fan village, something the duo is looking forward to. “Thank you to those who have come down to watch us play in previous years, and we hope you continue to do so this year, supporting our Team Singapore athletes whether we win or lose. We hope to see you at the meet-and-greet sessions!” said Terry. If you’re hoping to catch and support our Team Singapore shuttlers, be quick, as tickets are going fast! Grab your tickets here. #SgBadminton #TeamSG #KFFSBO2025

After last year's experience of Garmin Run Singapore, what can runners expect from this year's edition of the Garmin Run Asia Series Singapore edition? SportPlus.sg spoke with organisers to find out what has changed PHOTO: GARMIN RUN SINGAPORE Garmin Run Singapore 2025 is back — with a clear mission: to prioritise runner safety, elevate the overall race experience, and rebuild trust through meaningful changes after last year's experience. Informed by last year’s feedback, this year’s edition features a reworked start and finish layout, improved flag-off procedures, better course accuracy, and enhanced on-ground operations. PHOTO: GARMIN RUN SINGAPORE So what is going to be significantly different in 2025 from the previous year's experience? From clearer signage and smoother bag deposit systems to hydration planning and route testing by athletes, it appears the new organising team is committed to delivering a safer, more seamless experience for every participant. SportPlus.sg spoke with organisers this week to find out what has changed from 2024 and why runners should keep Garmin Run Singapore on their checklist for the second half of the year. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG  / HANA BASIR 1. Let’s start with the big picture - what’s new and exciting about Garmin Run Singapore 2025? Garmin Run Singapore : Garmin Run Singapore is designed to bring runners of various levels together to celebrate the joy of running. In the lead up to Garmin Run Singapore , we have partnered ASICS Running Club for a training camp led by current and former national athletes Shah Feroz, Yong Man Yun and Loh Guo Pei to help runners train for the event or to improve their running in general. These sessions are free for all to join on every Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7pm and Saturday mornings at 7am. For Garmin Run Singapore 2025, there will be a competitive pen for 10km and Half Marathon categories for runners who want to aim for podium prizes. PHOTO: GARMIN RUN SINGAPORE 2. After last year’s feedback, how important was it for the team to take a hard look at operations and make changes for this year’s race? Garmin Run Singapore : We take the race experience very seriously and last year was indeed a learning experience. The team went through all the comments and feedback and learning from feedback from other running events to zoom into the pain points to improve the experience. The route will also be tested by a team of Garmin athletes and runners for feedback and adjustments. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG  / HANA BASIR Safety & Race Experience 3. One of the big concerns last year was the start line being on a slope, which some runners felt posed a safety risk. What changes have been made to address this? There was also no staggered flag-off by pens, which caused congestion at the start. Can you walk us through the new flag-off system for 2025? Garmin Run Singapore : Runners’ safety is our utmost priority. We completely understand the concerns that the participants felt last year and we are replanning the start line, finish line and potential congestion points. Flag off pens will be implemented for this year to ensure the all runners are safe and comfortably during flag-off. More details will be shared to address these concerns. PHOTO: GARMIN RUN SINGAPORE Logistics & Operations 4. Bag deposit and collection times were a major source of frustration last year. How is the logistics team ensuring a smoother process this time around? Garmin Run Singapore : There will be a dedicated team who will be managing the bag deposit and collection to ensure a smooth flow and minimal waiting times. We strongly encourage runners to deposit their bags earlier so that there is sufficient time for them to get to the start line to prepare for the run. PHOTO: GARMIN RUN SINGAPORE 5. Clear signage - or the lack thereof - also made things confusing for many participants. What’s being done to improve directional clarity this year, both on and off the course? Garmin Run Singapore : The operations team will do multiple walkthroughs for the venue to ensure that sufficient directional signages will be deployed at key points to facilitate a smoother flow and directional clarity, including bag deposit, start line, finish line, toilets, finisher tee collection etc. Prior to the event, runners’ guide with all required information about the event will be shared with sufficient time for runners to familiarise themselves with the venue. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG   / HANIDA HUSSIEN Course Accuracy 6. Accuracy of Route and distances was another sticking point. Has the route been re-measured or calibrated differently for 2025? Garmin Run Singapore : The route will be adjusted for new start and finish lines and will be re-measured for accuracy. After which, there will be a team of athletes and runners who will do route tests to help the team adjust for accuracy, safety and experience. 7. Hydration was a hot topic. How are organisers improving hydration station placement, drink variety, hydration manpower support, and volume this time around? Garmin Run Singapore : We are working through the hydration point plan, taking into account accessibility for runners, sufficient quantity, with not more than a 2.5km distance between the hydration points. PHOTO: GARMIN RUN SINGAPORE Race Pack & Apparel 8. Some runners round the race singlet and finisher tee sizes too small, and faced long waits when collecting their finisher shirts. What improvements are in place to make apparel sizing more accurate and collection more efficient? Garmin Run Singapore : While we have factored in more larger sizes this year, sizes still remain limited so we strongly encourage runners to do proper measurements for better fit. For participants from last year, they can also refer to last year’s sizing as well. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG  / HANA BASIR Event Management & Operational Changes 9. We understand there’s a new organising team or revised operational structure behind Garmin Run Singapore 2025. Can you tell us more about that shift and how it has influenced planning this year? How has the approach to logistics and participant experience evolved under this new team? What lessons from other international Garmin Runs have you brought into the Singapore edition this year? Garmin Run Singapore : The new organising team is a well-experienced team who have worked on many run events of various scales in the region and the planning centres around addressing the pain points from last year, focusing on elevating the overall run experience. We have taken learnings from last year, other local run events, and the other runs in the past 3 years of Garmin Run Asia Series from Taipei, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Hong Kong from safety, medic, hydration points, post-run experience etc. There is a great emphasis on getting the run routes tested for ease of use, sufficient running space, potential congestion points and distance accuracy. To do so, we will be putting together a team of runners from athletes to regular runners to test the routes. The team is committed to delivering a good run experience this year for Garmin Run Asia Series – Singapore. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG  / HANA BASIR Final Message 10. It’s clear that this year’s Garmin Run is shaped by past learnings. What’s the one thing you hope runners will feel differently about the 2025 edition? Garmin Run Singapore : Garmin is committed to make Garmin Run Asia Series in the region a run series to look forward to for runners in the Asia region. While we are aware that the 2024 Garmin Run Singapore wasn’t up to expectations, Garmin has reviewed all the comments and feedback of all participants. We know where we went wrong, and we are addressing each issue. We hope that runners keep an open mind about this year’s run and likewise, we welcome all feedback after the run to continue to improve and enhance the experience each year. PHOTO: GARMIN RUN SINGAPORE 11. How can participants stay informed in the lead-up to race day to ensure they have the best possible experience? Garmin Run Singapore : Updated information about the run will be posted on our official social media platforms on Meta and Instagram as well as our event site. The information will also be in a runner’s guide which will be published closer to date. Registrations for Garmin Run Singapore is set to go live on 14 May 2025 on the official website . #GarminSG #GarminRunAsiaSeries #BeatYesterday

Eight new Partners have come on board – ION Orchard, CapitaLand, Singapore Airlines, Fullerton Health, Jewel Changi Airport, Kin Productions, SISTIC and Westpoint Transit, bringing the total value of sponsorships secured for WCH 2025 to more than S$16 million PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANIDA HUSSIEN Singapore, 9 May 2025 – Singapore's journey to host Southeast Asia's first World Aquatics Championships is gaining momentum, with community roadshows now bringing the excitement of competitive aquatics to the community to broaden sports participation at all levels. Starting at the first roadshow launched at ION Orchard on Friday (9 May), members of the public can now experience the thrill of standing on a 27m-high diving platform, or see if they have the skills required of a swimmer or water polo player. Eight new Partners have also come on board – ION Orchard, CapitaLand, Singapore Airlines, Fullerton Health, Jewel Changi Airport, Kin Productions, SISTIC and Westpoint Transit, bringing the total value of sponsorships secured for WCH 2025 to more than S$16 million. PHOTO:   SPORTPLUS.SG  / HANIDA HUSSIEN Interactive Aquatic Experience at WCH 2025 Community Roadshows At the first community roadshow, Olympic champion Joseph Schooling and musician Benjamin Kheng , a former national swimmer, each captained a team of sports enthusiasts in exciting aquatic challenges. Team Singapore athletes from the Water Polo teams – Lee Kai Yang, Abielle Yeo, Nicole Lim, Rochelle Ong, Cayden Loh and Dominic Chan – joined the festivities as well. Cheered on by Singapore 2025 mascots Ollie and Dewey, Team Ben and Team Joseph representatives faced off on the Vasa Trainer, a swim training machine that mimics the resistance of swimming. PHOTO:   SPORTPLUS.SG  / HANIDA HUSSIEN As part of efforts to bring aquatic sports closer to people’s doorsteps, these community roadshows feature interactive stations to give participants a preview of the upcoming Championships. Participants will get a glimpse of what it is like to stand on a high dive platform, through a virtual reality experience. They also had the chance to test their speed and reflexes at the water polo reaction wall where the goal is to hit as many targets as possible before the timer ran out. The Artistic Swimming Trick Eye Photo Booth was also a crowd favourite. PHOTO:   SPORTPLUS.SG  / HANIDA HUSSIEN Eight other malls will host these roadshows in the lead-up to the Championships, offering the public unique opportunities to experience some of the sports that will be contested at one of aquatics’ most prestigious events. The final roadshow will take place at Kallang Wave Mall from 11 July to 22 August, during the World Aquatics Championships (11 July to 3 August) and World Aquatics Masters Championships (26 July to 22 August). PHOTO:   SPORTPLUS.SG  / HANIDA HUSSIEN WCH 2025 Launches Official Merchandise As part of efforts to inspire youth participation in aquatic sports, eight students from five schools – School of the Arts (SOTA), CHIJ Secondary School, Nan Hua High School, Raffles Institution and Zhenghua Secondary School – contributed their creative artworks for a selected official WCH 2025 merchandise. As part of the WCH 2025 school engagement efforts, students were invited to design a tote bag or t-shirt as part of the event’s official merchandise or premiums. The eight students whose designs were selected got to see their winning designs come to life on Friday, where they were presented with a token of appreciation and WCH 2025 merchandise with their design. PHOTO:   SPORTPLUS.SG  / HANIDA HUSSIEN The inaugural collection of official merchandise features plushies of Ollie and Dewey alongside pins showcasing local attractions such as the Merlion and the Singapore River, commemorating SG60. Fans of blind boxes can also get their hands on Ollie and Dewey figurines that pay homage to various aspects of Singapore’s culture, such as Durian Lover Ollie and Patriotic Dewey. These items are available from today at ION Orchard and all other community roadshows at selected CapitaLand shopping malls. PHOTO:   SPORTPLUS.SG  / HANIDA HUSSIEN The merchandise collection will be progressively expanded in the coming weeks www.worldaquatics-singapore2025.com/shop . For updates on new releases, visit the official World Aquatics Championships Singapore 2025 website at www.worldaquatics-singapore2025.com or follow our official channels on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Xiaohongshu and Weibo. Mr. Mark Chay, co-chair of the Singapore 2025 organising committee, said: “Today marks an exciting milestone as we kick off the first of nine community roadshows at ION Orchard, our Official Luxury Mall Partner for the WCH 2025. These roadshows bring the excitement and experience of the World Aquatics Championships directly to the community through interactive stations that allow us to try out some variation of the sports featured at the Championships. It is also a good chance for us to familiarise ourselves with these sports before we watch the world’s best aquatics athletes execute their craft right here in Singapore. PHOTO:   SPORTPLUS.SG  / HANIDA HUSSIEN We are also grateful for the tremendous support from our new partners, including ION Orchard, CapitaLand, and Singapore Airlines, - three of our eight newly-announced partners today - who are helping to bring global communities together through this event. Hosting an event as prestigious as the World Aquatics Championships is an endeavour that requires cooperation from all areas of the community and we are heartened to have received so much support from the various stakeholders.” The eight new partners announced on 9 May are: ● CapitaLand – Official Community Activation Partner ● ION Orchard – Official Luxury Mall Partner ● Singapore Airlines – Official Airline Partner ● Fullerton Health – Official Medical Services Partner ● Jewel Changi Airport – Official Lifestyle Destination Partner ● Kin Productions – Official Venue Overlay Planning Services Partner ● SISTIC – Official Ticketing Partner ● Westpoint Transit – Official Transport Services Partner PHOTO:   SPORTPLUS.SG  / HANIDA HUSSIEN Spectators who are keen to catch the world’s top aquatics athletes in action are encouraged to secure their tickets as soon as possible. Tickets have been selling fast since they went on sale in April with some sessions indicating limited availability. Don’t miss the chance to witness potential record-breaking times, spectacular athleticism, artistry and duels in the pool. Tickets are available at www.worldaquatics-ingapore2025.com/tickets . The competition schedules for the World Aquatics Championships and World Aquatics Masters Championships are as follows: #WAC2025 #SgAquatics #SgSports

Singapore’s national marathoner reflects on a career-defining sub-3 finish and what it took to get there PHOTO: SEOUL MARATHON In the crisp spring air of South Korea’s capital, Singaporean marathoner Serena Teoh crossed the finish line of the Seoul Marathon—and quietly shattered a long-standing barrier in her career: the elusive sub-3-hour marathon. For Teoh, it wasn’t just a number. It was a culmination of years of perseverance, near misses, and quiet belief—now transformed into an electrifying personal milestone. “I felt a renewed sense of confidence and accomplishment,” Teoh reflects. “After so many years of trying and believing, it finally happened.” PHOTO: SEOUL MARATHON The Race That Came Together Going into Seoul, the target wasn’t new. In fact, it had hovered around Teoh for years—suggested by peers, expected by some, and quietly pursued through relentless training blocks. But it had always remained just out of reach. “It was always something people told me I could do,” she says. “But somehow, I just never managed to execute it. For Seoul, the training went well, and on race day, I felt good and could execute as planned.” And execute she did. With a combination of steady pacing, strength, and confidence built over months of consistent training, Teoh finally broke through the 3-hour barrier, an achievement that has eluded many talented runners. Read our SportPlus.sg  related feature on "Breaking the 3-hour Barrier" here . PHOTO: ASICS ASIA Balancing Life and the Long Run Behind the personal best was a demanding few months that saw Teoh adjusting not just to a training schedule, but to life itself. She had recently taken on a new job, forcing her to recalibrate her routines and juggle professional demands with marathon training. Add to that the constant dance with minor injuries—familiar territory for any seasoned runner—and it becomes clear that this was no fairy tale sprint to the finish. “Finding a new routine to fit in training with work, and coping with those small injuries—that was the biggest challenge,” she admits. PHOTO: SEOUL MARATHON Yet, she stayed committed. Her training for Seoul was a structured mix of easy runs, targeted workouts, and strength training sessions in the gym—nothing overly glamorous, but rooted in consistency. When the Breakthrough Comes What does it feel like when years of grind finally pay off? “It’s an incredible feeling when opportunity finally meets preparation,” Teoh says, echoing the sentiment of elite athletes who know there are no shortcuts in the long game of distance running. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG  / HANIDA HUSSIEN And even with the high of a major breakthrough still fresh, Teoh isn’t quite ready to slow down. “Let’s see, maybe the Gold Coast Marathon !” she shares with a smile. “I haven’t had much downtime since Seoul, but let’s see how this goes.” Words to Run By For runners chasing their own goals—whether it’s a sub-3, sub-4, or simply their next personal best—Teoh offers a simple yet powerful piece of advice: “Put the work in, and keep believing. Live your future in the present.” Spoken like someone who’s been there, tried, failed, and finally triumphed. Serena Teoh’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the finish line is just the beginning. #SeoulMarathon #SerenaTeoh #Marathon

Newly appointed Team Singapore Netball Head Coach Tara Steel feels right at home with Singapore Sports Hub’s world-class facilities PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR This is a feature article written by SportPlus.sg for Kallang Alive Sports Management. For more sports events, programmes and human stories of Singapore Sports Hub, visit the Singapore Sports Hub's 'Here to Play' website . Inheriting a squad of newly-crowned Asian Netball Champions and uprooting her entire life to a new country, all in the year of the highly-anticipated Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. It should sound overwhelming. Yet for newly appointed Team Singapore Netball Head Coach and Technical Director Tara Steel, the pressure hardly shows, for the cool-as-you-like Australian smiled warmly each time she spoke about her new squad and their upcoming tests in a pivotal sporting year. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / CHERYL TAY Steel arrived in Singapore to take up her new post with Netball Singapore in late April, and apart from soaking in the sights in her new home, the 39-year-old has also managed to familiarise herself with Singapore Sports Hub . After all, it’s sure to be a place where Steel will create countless memorable moments with the Singapore national team. “It’s a great facility and I’m so fortunate to be here. The Singapore Sports Institute , the training venues and gyms are world-class,” smiled Steel. “I was based in Canberra where we had the Australian Institute of Sport so it’s very similar to the training facilities here. The OCBC arena where we train is right alongside the gym where our strength and conditioning is set up. There are also spaces for athletes to have meetings and get together for different things. It’s a convenient hub to have where athletes have everything catered for them. When we host tournaments here, which we’ll have in November, it’ll be exciting to play where we also train.” PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG   / HANA BASIR Steel won’t have to wait long until she takes courtside for the first time with the Singapore national team. The squad is set to compete in the UAE Nations Cup in June, which will be a stepping stone to see where the team stands ahead of the SEA Games at the end of the year. While Steel only took to the helm a few weeks ago, the squad has been working on conditioning and basic court skills prior to the arrival of their new coach. “The UAE Nations Cup will be good for setting a foundation for what’s to come this year, ensuring that our basic skills are exactly where they need to be. My coaching style and my communication with the athletes might be a little different to what they've had, so we’ll also see how to adjust, and not have to change anything too much in terms of the strengths we have as a team. It’s how we enhance that and ensure we keep building,” explained Steel, who took over for New Zealander Annette Bishop after a near five year tenure. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG  / CHERYL TAY While Steel and the team haven’t quite had the time to come together and decide on their goals to achieve in the Land of Smiles in December, one thing is unspoken. “The key and primary objective for the tournament itself is ultimately to win gold,” Steel remarked confidently. “We’ll have a lot of other team goals we’ll work through as we continue to step towards the SEA Games but from my perspective, winning and continuing the success the team has had after winning the Asian Championships last year is objective number one.” With netball returning to the SEA Games for the first time since 2019, Team Singapore will be eager to bring Southeast Asian glory back to home soil after narrowly losing to rivals, Malaysia that year. The last time the Singaporean anthem was heard after a SEA Games netball final was at none other than OCBC Arena 10 years ago. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG   / HANA BASIR For Steel, winning isn’t only something to be checked off a list, but rather a mindset she hopes to ingrain into the athletes under her care—some of whom will be featuring at the games for the first time. “We have quite a young squad so to get the Asian Championships win last year for that group was huge in terms of confidence and performance. Winning is also a skill and a mindset, so we have to practice achieving it, knowing what it feels like and understanding what you have to do to work hard to get there,” shared the Head Coach. “We’re very familiar with the fact that Singapore netball hasn't won a medal at SEA Games for a number of years since it doesn't always feature at the games. It’s really exciting to have netball at this year’s edition and in a multisport event like the SEA Games, it’s always great for the athletes and coaches to be a part of.” PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG  / CHERYL TAY Ahead of the Games, forming a connection with her new team tops Steel’s to-do list. With over a decade of experience coaching with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Steel is all too familiar with how off-the-court wellbeing impacts match performance. Netball is the most played sport amongst women in Australia and its high-performance athletes are full-time, a stark difference compared to being a high-performance netball athlete in Singapore. A big believer in health and wellbeing off the court as a vehicle for performance, Steel hopes to have a positive impact on the mental welfare of her athletes here, who often juggle netball alongside another full-time career or studies. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG   / HANA BASIR “In the Australian system at an elite level, the athletes are full-time paid professionals. Here, training is something they do after hours. The programs that I’ve been coaching in the ACT are of a similar nature so I have that experience as a coach,” explained Steel. “We’ve got a big year with some key tournaments. We have to ensure we keep improving the base level of what we’re doing at every tournament. As a coach, it's important that I motivate and inspire our athletes to be high performance in their mindset, even when they’re away from the court. They’re not full-time athletes so to ensure we can get the best performance on the court, their health and wellbeing off the court is really key in achieving that.” Team Singapore  netball, nicknamed The Vandas, are currently on a high, having won the 13th Asian Netball Championships in October last year. The confidence that came with winning and earning themselves the title of continental champions is one that Steel values, and knows will also play a big part on the path towards the long-awaited gold medal. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG  / CHERYL TAY Steel emphasised on the need for her to fast-track her understanding of the players and what contributed to the Asian Championships success, gushing at the team’s breakthrough and their ability to achieve their goals through their grit and gameplay last October. The highly-experienced coach knows all too well though, that success also makes you a target. And that means that ahead of the highly-competitive SEA Games, rival countries will be watching and looking at how to break down The Vandas. “We have to be strong in the foundation we’ve set—our ball speed and our foot speed. Some of the opponents that we’ll match up against are a lot taller than us and have different physical attributes. We’ll have to utilise our strengths to our advantage and connect as different units tactically and technically on court to exploit other teams with our strengths,” she shared. Steel, who is passionate about developing pathways within the youth sides towards the senior national team, hopes that having netball in the SEA Games and being victorious will have its impact across the nation. “As a sports fan, it’s really exciting to be part of something like the SEA Games. For us as a netball program, we have to see how we can utilise being at the SEA Games to help inspire the next generation of athletes to take up netball.” #SEAGames2025 #NetballSG #TeamSG

Team Singapore athletes secured five of six podium spots at the National Triathlon Championships Sprint at the Singapore International Triathlon 2025 PHOTO: SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON Singapore national triathlete Tey Yi Jun was all smiles at East Coast Park on the morning of 27 April 2025, and he had every reason to. Clasping the finish line tape ahead of the chasing pack, the 23 year-old clinched the title with an impressive time of 00:58:23. Nearly 650 athletes of 37 nationalities conquered the Singapore International Triathlon (SIT) 2025 course at East Coast Park on April 27th, celebrating the sport’s bests in the region, rising stars, and also the ever-growing amateur triathlon community. PHOTO: SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON The elites—comprising 28 national athletes from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia—were the first to flag off as they battled it out in the National Triathlon Championships (NTC) Sprint category. Team Singapore swept the awards in the men’s category, with Tey Yi Jun taking the grand prize as he finished ahead of Luke Chua and Bryce Chong . “I was actually a little shocked because I didn't expect to win it, so seeing the finish tape and coming in first was quite a cool moment,” Yi Jun told SportPlus.sg . “It was a tough race so I was definitely happy to see the finish line, knowing I was in first position. This is my 3rd National Triathlon Championships since I started in 2023 and my first time winning the title, so I was really happy with the results and how the race went.” PHOTO: SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON What makes the victory even more remarkable is that not only did the 23-year old take on the NTC Sprint on Sunday, but also the Supersprint just the day before which he had also won—all just a few days after battling a viral infection. “Because of the illness, it was quite challenging to take in enough nutrition and hydration. I was also feeling quite fatigued that week. Luckily, I felt better on race day and was able to manage my energy levels well to execute my race plan,” he shared. “I swam well in the lead pack and we rode together on the bike. I was able to execute my transitions smoothly and quickly since I was already familiarized with the transitions from the Supersprint race the day before. Eventually I gave it my all on the run and was able to break away to take the win." PHOTO: SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON In the elite women’s category, Herlene Yu completed the double for Team Singapore  as she retained her National Champion title. In second place was Australia’s Mikayla Messser, while Singaporean Kathlyn Yeo finished third. With five Singaporeans on the podium in the National Triathlon Championship Elite Sprint category, Singapore cemented itself as a nation to watch at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand at the end of the year. Both the duathlon and triathlon disciplines will be competed in teams at the SEA Games this year. Yi Jun believes that the results at the recent SIT will be beneficial for Team Singapore . PHOTO: SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON “The results show that our team is progressing well. There were some good results by the juniors too as Lim Cheng Yu and Lim Wan Ting finished fourth. I think it was definitely a good race for all of us. As a team, a lot of us hit the SEA Games 'A' cut timing which is a confidence booster. I believe there's always learning points we can take away from every race and there were definitely plenty from this one,” he said. “The race was a good data point for me to see where I am in terms of my fitness at the moment, and also helped me determine my weaknesses to work on in the next few months.” The SEA Games 2025 will take place between 9-20 December, with triathletes set to battle it out in the coastal city of Rayong, Thailand. #TeamSingapore #SEAGames2025 #Triathlon

The three new METASPEED™ products represent peak speed innovation with key advances in minimising weight and maximising performance PHOTO: AARON WONG YS ASICS has announced the METASPEED™ SKY TOKYO and METASPEED™ EDGE TOKYO along with a brand new, super light METASPEED™ RAY . Developed with ASICS' top athletes alongside rigorous scientific research from the team at the ASICS Institute of Sport Science , this new series continues to lead ASICS' pursuit of creating products that are appropriate for different runners and running styles in the performance running category. Through intensive research and testing, ASICS adds to their esteemed speed line, METASPEED™ RAY . Featuring an innovative design, the shoe weighs just 129 grams (based on a men's size 9), placing it among the very lightest carbon-plated distance racing shoes available on the market today. This new super-light option in the METASPEED™ series is designed for athletes who prioritise a bouncy, weightless ride and is particularly efficient for forefoot strikers. PHOTO: AARON WONG YS Named ‘Ray’ based on the inspiration from the speed of a ray of light and the Japanese ‘Rei’, meaning ‘zero’ to signify its weightlessness, the shoe benefits from ASICS’ latest scientific innovations in its all-out pursuit of speed. Its midsole is made entirely from the brand new ASICS FF LEAP™ foam, ASICS’ lightest, softest and bounciest foam ever used which provides a super lightweight experience—enabling athletes to take a powerful and confident leap forward in every stride. Its Matryx® upper is formed of a light woven material to maintain the shoe’s lightness while providing a secure lockdown of your foot, even as the pace increases. PHOTO: ASICS The shoe features a minimal carbon plate to help propel athletes forward at the foot-strike phase without adding undue weight to the shoe. Also adding to the shoe’s energetic underfoot feel is its innovative Dynamic Drop Structure, in which the fast defamation of the FF LEAP™ foam as your foot hits the ground creates a significantly greater drop than the 5mm drop in the shoe’s original design. The METASPEED™ RAY also grips well even on wet surfaces thanks to its ASICS GRIP outsole. Making up the latest collection of products are the METASPEED™ SKY TOKYO and METASPEED™ EDGE TOKYO , ASICS'—beloved pinnacle racing shoes that are now thrilling runners more than ever. Primarily, the main difference between the two shoes can be found in the shape and positioning of the full-length carbon plate, which in the METASPEED™ SKY TOKYO is designed for stride-style runners who have a long, loping gait and increase their speed by increasing their stride length. PHOTO: AARON WONG YS Meanwhile, the METASPEED™ EDGE TOKYO is optimized for cadence-style runners who take smaller steps and increase their speed by increasing both their stride length and the number of steps they take per minute. Both the METASPEED™ SKY TOKYO and METASPEED™ EDGE TOKYO feature a combination of the new FF LEAP™ foam and the high-performance FF TURBO™ PLUS foam in its midsole. Hence, while the shoes provide the softest, bounciest ride ever seen in the METASPEED™ series, athletes will also benefit from added stability to give them the confidence to deliver their top speeds over the longer distances. The shoes are fitted with an improved MOTION WRAP 3.0 which is lightweight and breathable, while providing a secure holding for the foot. PHOTO: AARON WONG YS The new series of METASPEED™ products represents the continuation of ASICS’ unique design philosophy which it first shared with the world with the launch of the original METASPEED™ SKY and METASPEED™ EDGE in 2021. The shoes were designed on ASICS’ belief that performance running shoe designs should reflect that we don’t all run the same—a point of view that had not yet been considered by the rest of the running category. The METASPEED™ has since gone on to support athletes worldwide as they chase their personal bests, putting ASICS at the center of the elite distance running conversation. Now, with these latest innovations, every athlete will have the chance to feel new levels of speed and confidence as they strive for peak performance. PHOTO: ASICS ASICS celebrated the brand new products on the streets of Tokyo over the weekend alongside over 2,750 runners of all abilities at the Tokyo : Speed : Race. The time trial, which took place on a flat, fast course next to the Japan National Stadium, offered both world-class elites and everyday runners the opportunity to unlock new levels of confidence as they strived for new personal bests. Looking further ahead, ASICS is looking forward to seeing the new METASPEED™ models inspire athletes to new records at the upcoming World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 in September, an event in which ASICS will be taking part as an official partner. PHOTO: AARON WONG YS Bashir Abdi, an ASICS sponsored elite marathoner representing Belgium said: “The new collection of METASPEED™ models is the result of extensive scientific development from the ASICS team to refine and update the shoe according to feedback from myself and my fellow elite athletes. Not only do the new shoes reflect some of the specific details we look for in a racing shoe, but it is also real confidence boost having the option of three models which we can test and evaluate which best suits our running style.” Shuhei Takemura, project leader of the METASPEED™ series Product Development at ASICS said: “It is a great moment to be able to share the latest ASICS METASPEED™ silhouettes with the world. This collection of shoes is innovatively designed to match different running styles and preferences to give all athletes the comfort and confidence to find their speed. PHOTO: AARON WONG YS “Furthermore, we are humbled that this series of products will take on the name of ASICS’ home of Tokyo, a city that has an incredible sporting heritage and will be welcoming fans from around the world for the World Athletics Championships 25 later this year.” To find out more about METASPEED™ RAY , the METASPEED™ SKY TOKYO and the METASPEED™ EDGE TOKYO and other ASICS products, visit asics.com . #ASICSRunning #METASPEEDRAY #METASPEEDSKY #METASPEEDEDGE

Ng Kee Haur’s running journey was an unexpected one, but once he discovered his potential, he fell in love with the sport and the joy it brought him PHOTO: SINGAPORE T100 Before becoming a runner himself, he used to think of the sport the same way most of us do. “That’s crazy, why would anyone put themselves through such torture willingly?” A few years ago though, Ng Kee Haur’s perception of running changed, and so did his life. Deeming himself as overweight and out of shape, Kee Haur—then 42 years of age—took his physical health into his own hands and decided on making a change.  It was at his son's kindergarten sports day where a memorable incident occured that became the catalyst for his changed lifestyle. "One of the highlights of the event was a relay race, where all the dads formed teams to compete. At that point in my life, I had been quite sedentary for some time. I volunteered to run the first leg of the relay, feeling a surge of competitiveness. My mind was eager, but my body simply couldn’t keep up," he recounted. A Turning Point "Within the first few steps, I stumbled and fell hard on the track. The embarrassment was overwhelming as I apologised to the other dads for letting the team down. Looking back, that moment of humiliation was actually a turning point for me and it was where my story began." Starting out with mild activities like cycling and skating, Kee Haur then bought himself a Garmin watch, where he first stumbled upon a 5km running program for beginners.  That was the moment he fell in love with the rhythmic pulse of his feet striking the earth—a steady beat that accompanied him in his pursuit. “In the beginning, I could only manage a couple of hundred meters before having to walk. It was humbling, but I stuck with it, slowly building my aerobic base and muscle strength from scratch. Progress was gradual—sometimes frustratingly so—but I learned to take it one step at a time,” smiled Kee Haur. “As I gained better mileage, I noticed my body becoming more efficient. I started joining running events and gradually set new goals: 10km, 13km, 18km, then the half marathon. Each milestone showed me what’s possible with patience and consistency. Running became more than just exercise. It became a way to challenge myself and track my progress.” Kee Haur took in every stride he took, and eventually made half marathons his forte. After a few years of running 21.1km races however, Kee Haur found himself at a dead end. He tried and tried to improve, but despite his best efforts, his progress seemed to be slow. “For some reason, these runs always felt tough. I would start strong but end up with positive splits, or sometimes hit the wall entirely. No matter how much I trained, I felt like I was stagnating and not progressing. It was frustrating and made me question my approach,” he explained. PHOTO: TEAM SINGAPORE HUSTLERS Knowing he needed to give himself a new challenge to push himself forward, Kee Haur decided to take his next big step, and targeted a full marathon. Just like that, he found himself signing up for the Taipei Marathon , stamping his flight tickets and booking a hotel. Subscribed to an online training plan and putting all his eggs into the basket, Kee Haur was ready to discover a part of himself he had never thought possible. To his dismay though, the universe had other plans. It wasn’t his time— yet . Overcoming Setbacks Just as he was about to take on the streets of Taipei, Kee Haur was hit with a gallstone attack. Landing himself in the hospital and requiring surgery, he knew that running his first full marathon would have to wait. “I still remember it vividly—making all my cancellation arrangements from my hospital bed, it was incredibly demoralising. Lying there, I had a lot of time to reflect. I told myself I wouldn’t let this setback defeat me. Instead, I resolved to come back stronger and to take better care of my body,” Kee Haur recounted. “A week after the operation, I started with slow, gentle runs. Another week later, I joined the Team Hustlers weekly's intervals at the Yio Chu Kang Stadium.” PHOTO VIA NG KEE HAUR The very drive that had propelled him from skeptic to half-marathoner surged back into him, and this time, all the stars had aligned perfectly as he secured a spot in the Osaka Marathon 2024. “It felt like fate. Everything seemed to line up for my first full marathon. With the slot confirmed, I shifted my training focus entirely to marathon preparation, using half marathons as stepping stones along the way. The anticipation of debuting at such a renowned event gave me extra motivation to train and push my limits,” shared the 49-year-old. “Crossing the finish line in Osaka with a time of 4:28 was a huge milestone. It wasn’t just about the time, but about proving to myself that I could overcome setbacks and achieve what I want. The experience was so rewarding that I found myself eager to see how much further I could go.” PHOTO VIA NG KEE HAUR Last month, Kee Haur took on his second full marathon— and with his passion and determination—it’s no surprise that he gained a new personal best, completing the Seoul Marathon with a time of 4:12. Now hooked on the serotonin rush that comes with progress, Kee Haur has embraced the art of multi-sport, determined to keep going for as long as his body allows. “I’ve started my duathlon journey and picking up the bike again has been a great way to cross-train and reduce my risk of running injuries. Some friends have encouraged me to try a triathlon, and while I’m still considering it, for now, I’m enjoying the balance and variety that cross-training brings to my routine,” he shared. PHOTO: SINGAPORE T100 His advice to anyone wanting to get started? “Running is a progressive journey: you learn to be stronger, to listen to and understand your body, and even to appreciate and love it as you see what it can achieve. Over time, running teaches discipline and the value of trusting the process, which doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistency, it comes. Most importantly, running is about learning to overcome challenges, because every run is different and you never know what life—or the next kilometer—will throw at you.” “Just take the very first step and start running.“ #SportPlusSG #Features #SgRunning #Community