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Reigning Men's triathlon Olympic champion Blummenfelt shakes off jet lag to triumph in the Men’s Pro Race, while it was third time lucky for Gentle in 2023 PHOTO: PROFESSIONAL TRIATHLETES ORGANISATION Singapore, 21 August 2023 – Fresh off the Olympic Test Event in Paris two days ago, reigning triathlon Olympic champion Kristian Blummenfelt shook off jet lag and a ninth-place finish to triumph in the Men’s Pro Race at the inaugural Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) Asian Open on Sunday (20 Aug). Blummenfelt had been trailing Pieter Heemeryck for the entire 80km bike leg but he powered through the run to pass the Belgian nearly halfway through the 18km run. From there, Blummenfelt made no mistake and finally clinched the elusive first PTO Tour title as he crossed the finish line in 3hr 20min 48sec. Heemeryck was second in 3:22:47 followed by American Jason West (3:24:03). PHOTO: PROFESSIONAL TRIATHLETES ORGANISATION A jubilant Blummenfelt released a celebratory shout and pumped his fist in the air after completing the 100km course before settling down on the floor to take in the view at the finish line, reflecting on finally earning a PTO Tour win after three years. The PTO World No. 1 said: “I’m very happy and relieved. It’s something I’ve been chasing for three years now and to finally be able to take this is a massive relief. It’s been a long time coming since the PTO 2020 Championship in Daytona and I really wanted to win a PTO race. Two weeks ago at the PTO US Open, 60km into the bike leg, I thought I had it in my pocket but it sort of slipped out when I cramped coming off the bike so you can’t really celebrate too early. When I finally sort of knew I have a PTO Tour win, it’s what I felt I’ve been missing.” PHOTO: PROFESSIONAL TRIATHLETES ORGANISATION Heemeryck was surprised to have led the bike course from Blummenfelt and was pleased to finish second despite the win slipping from his grasp at the end. He said: “I have to be honest, I never thought that I was going to ride away from this field. So it was a little bit surprising. When I saw Kristian running and I knew he's going to get me but I have to be very patient because at the end, you want to be on the podium here. When I saw Jason, I really thought that he was going to get me also. But at the end, I finished with a strong run. It was a hot and hard race, but a fun one. The laps on the bike were beautiful and coming into the transition area, there were a lot of people supporting the race. At the end, I had a good day.” The top five men are as follows: 1. Kristian Blummenfelt – 3hr 20 min 48 sec 2. Pieter Heemeryck – 3hr 22 min 47 sec 3. Jason West – 3hr 24 min 03 sec 4. Denis Chevrot – 3hr 29 min 5. Sam Long – 3hr 29 min 11 sec PHOTO: PROFESSIONAL TRIATHLETES ORGANISATION Ashleigh Gentle clinches Women's Title with Commanding Performance After two consecutive runner-up finishes on the 2023 Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) Tour, the third time was the charm for Australian Ashleigh Gentle who blew her competition out of the water and win the inaugural PTO Asian Open on Saturday (19 Aug). The PTO world No. 1 finished the 100km Pro Women’s triathlon in 3hr 41min 16sec, ahead of Germany’s Anne Haug (3:43:32) and American Chelsea Sodaro (3:46:10) at the Marina Bay course. PHOTO: PROFESSIONAL TRIATHLETES ORGANISATION It was third time lucky for Gentle who, after winning both PTO titles in 2022, had to settle for second place at the 2023 PTO European Open in May and the US Open earlier this month. She said: “It feels very, very good. I’ve had a couple of second places this year so it’s pretty much a dream way to end my season. There was a big group of us in the swim that were swimming at a similar pace. But once I got out of the swim, I kind of accelerated and had a really good transition, so I found myself at the front very quickly. I realised that no one came with me on the bike, so it was about focusing on my effort and doing the best that I could myself." "Fortunately, I was able to catch Lucy and Sara and once I realised that they also didn't come with me, it was just about putting my head down, trying to do consistent laps on the bike and just really focus on my effort then do as best as I could on the run. Today was probably my best race of the year and I’m really happy.” PHOTO: PROFESSIONAL TRIATHLETES ORGANISATION Never looking under pressure, Gentle underlined her PTO World number 1 status, taking the win and $100,000 with a comfortable 2:15sec margin. Haug recovered from her setback in the bike leg to take second and $50,000, while Sodaro clinched third and $35,000. The top five women are as follows: 1. Ashleigh Gentle – 3hr 41min 16 sec 2. Anne Haug – 3:43:32 3. Chelsea Sodaro – 3:46:10 4. Imogen Simmonds – 3:47:06 5. Lucy Charles-Barclay – 3:48:00 PHOTO: PROFESSIONAL TRIATHLETES ORGANISATION The PTO Asian Open weekend saw over 6,000 participants in a fun-filled event at the Marina Bay, beginning with two duathlon races in the morning over a standard 4.5km Run/32km Bike/4.5km Run and a longer 9km Run/64km Bike/9km Run. These were followed by the 100km experienced amateur triathlon, which also saw past and present Team Singapore athletes strut their stuff in relay teams led by 2016 Olympic champion Joseph Schooling. #SportPlusSG #Triathlon #PTOAsianOpen #ProTri

T100 Leading Athletes Take Time Out to Visit Schools and Corporates, sharing valuable insights and experiences PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, 9 April 2024 - With the Singapore T100 Pro Triathlon Race just days away, some of the T100's leading athletes took time out to make visits to schools and engage youths in a training clinic amidst soaring temperatures that threaten to make an already challenging T100 course even more difficult for some of the world's top triathletes. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Even then, the heat did not stop them from heading out to pay some visits to schools in an engagement and outreach session to impart their knowledge and values as athletes to the next generation. Early yesterday morning, Chelsea Sodaro was received by some 200 students at ACS International, as they engaged her in a witty Q&A interview session. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The American triathlete showed class and humour with her clever answers. When asked by a student, "How much can you bench?" Sodaro replied with a shrug: "Look at these tiny biceps, clearly I don't bench that much," which was received by roaring laughter across the hall. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Imparting the values of hard work and sacrifice, one of the best advices Sodaro shared with the students was that in order to be successful, every human can only choose to be good at a few things, and Sodaro chose to focus on being a good mother and a good triathlete - which meant she does not have much of a social life or head out to parties. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Later in the afternoon, Estonian Olympic triathlete Kaidi Kivioja visited XCL World Academy, in which she explained what it meant to be a professional athlete and the amazing triathlon community that keeps her going. Sharing tips on how she trains, her nutrition choices and the benefits of having a clear race plan, Kivioja encouraged the students to dream big, but start small at the same time. PHOTO: TEO YONG KANG, SPORTPLUS.SG Having clinched second place twice, including once at the World Triathlon Cup, Kivioja hopes to finally land the elusive winner's medal soon. PHOTO: TEO YONG KANG, SPORTPLUS.SG Over at the Home of Athletics in the afternoon Rudy Von Berg , Frederick Funk , Imogen Simmonds , Amelia Watkinson and Lucy Buckingham led youths and children from ActiveSG in a series of drills and intervals, sharing useful training tips and taking the youths through their paces. PHOTO: TEO YONG KANG, SPORTPLUS.SG Hosted by MetaSport , the Triathlon Singapore and Sport Singapore, the five T100 pro athletes then proceeded with a shake-out run around the Singapore Sports Hub, with Singapore national triathletes Ben Khoo and Ong Yun Ting joining the run. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The Singapore T100 is taking place this weekend from 13-14 April at Marina Bay. Those interested can head on down to catch world-class triathletes in action as they battle it out for the T100 title. Enjoy a pro triathlon experience unlike any other. Singapore is the second city in the T100 world tour circuit. #SydneyMarathon #MakeSydneyAMajor #ILoveSydney

Like last year, Singapore T100 weekend is set to electrify Downtown Singapore, with the world's best triathletes and amateurs alike battling it out for glory once again PHOTO: PROFESSIONAL TRIATHLETES ORGANISATION The Singapore T100 will kick off the second edition of the T100 Triathlon World Tour, taking place in the heart of the city in Marina Bay from 5 to 6 April. Men’s 2024 T100 world champion Marten Van Riel is also set to make his debut in the Lion City, the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) confirmed on 12th December. The multisport event, which last year saw Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung, Singapore’s only Olympic champion Joseph Schooling and Member of Parliament Poh Li San joining 5,000 amateur participants across the weekend, will be making its third visit to the city. In addition to showcasing the world’s top 20 male and top 20 female professional triathletes, it will also offer amateurs the chance to get involved in a 100km triathlon (2km swim, 80km bike, 18km run) on a similar course to the professionals or two duathlons: a Standard Distance (5km Run/32km Bike/5km Run) or a Long Distance (9.5km Run/64km Bike/9.5km Run). All three of these events are now on sale here , with slots going quickly. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Speaking after his career-changing victory in Dubai on 17th November at the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final, Van Riel said: “Winning this season’s T 100 Triathlon World Tour has been a dream realised for me and once I’ve had some time off, I’ll be working out how to take things to the next level in 2025. I didn’t get to race Singapore earlier this year because I was focused on the Olympics but I’ve heard it’s an awesome race so I can’t wait to try it for myself.  “I think it was very good to have this goal and to do well in the T100 series this year. And to be able to do that has been kind of what has kept me on and not make me doubt too much for the Olympic Games, because I knew my shape was way, way, way, way better than what I showed there. Unfortunately, you have one day to show it, but it was really good to not have the time to think about it too much and go straight into the T100 series and it’s definitely made for a great season.  PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSIEN, SPORTPLUS.SG “It’s all the difficult movements that make the beautiful ones even more beautiful. This makes it all worth it. 2022 and 2023 were really hard seasons for me. I think I had nine months off running – and running is still my insecurity of not being fast enough. But I think that long-distance just suits me better because it doesn’t come down to 100 per cent a run as short distance does these days and it’s more that the three disciplines are important. So I think that I’m finally playing with my best cards.”  Van Riel took the T100 World Tour by storm this year, competing in the Paris Olympics and winning three  out of the four T100 races he competed in while coming second in the other. His season culminated in a dominant display in Dubai on 17 Nov when he was pushed to his limits by German Rico Bogen and Britain’s  recently retired double Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee before taking the crown. In 2025, the PTO is aiming to enhance the spectators and participants’ experience by incorporating new iconic landmarks to the amateur course. The PTO also confirmed some changes to the course footprint, which will be announced soon, having worked closely with the local stakeholders over the last couple of years to minimise the impact of the race on downtown Singapore.  PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Speaking on the announcement, PTO CEO Sam Renouf said: “We’re very excited to be starting our second  T100 Triathlon World Tour season in Singapore. It’s a city and a race that has excited our professional athletes, participants and fans alike due to its stunning location, iconic backdrops and challenging racing. But to accommodate the event’s growth, we have been working hard on reducing the impact of the T100 weekend on the city. This has been a combined effort with each of our local stakeholders, including Sport Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board. So, I wanted to thank them personally for their partnership  and collaboration.”  The PTO has already announced seven stops as part of the 2025 T100 Triathlon World Tour calendar, with  San Francisco (31 May-1 June), London (2-3 Aug), Ibiza (27-28 Sept), Las Vegas (25-26 Oct) and Dubai (15- 16 Nov) already set to join Singapore. #SingaporeT100   #MetaSport   #Triathlon

Initiative is part of PUMA's broader vision to elevate running in the region, through innovation, global access and community engagement with its running communities PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, January 6, 2025 - Having added three top-tier Singapore athletes to its athletes stable, PUMA has issued a signal of intent to its competitors, with the global sports brand expected to drive a region-wide rollout of its initiatives in the coming months in 2025. The latest athlete sponsorships were also carefully crafted and designed to break boundaries in the area of athlete support - with Vanessa Lee , Shaun Goh and Ben Khoo the first beneficiaries of a program that will witness more athletes joining the PUMA family from other Southeast Asian markets soon. Speaking with SportPlus.sg , PUMA's Marketing Director for Southeast Asia Eleanor Wang emphasised that placing athletes first doesn't mean the brand has forgotten about everyday runners, with aspiring runners from the running community also standing to benefit from these athlete partnerships that will witness the region's athletes gaining access to top notch resources and platforms to not just elevate their profiles, but equipping them with the right tools to help runners on their running journeys - fostering an inclusive running culture across the region. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG 1. How does this move of signing three of Singapore’s most iconic distance athletes support PUMA Running’s brand strategy for 2025 and beyond? EW : This initiative is a key milestone in PUMA’s broader vision to elevate running in Southeast Asia, with Singapore serving as the first step in a region-wide rollout planned for 2025. By partnering with elite athletes, PUMA reinforces its commitment to the performance running segment, celebrating excellence and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the sport. This move supports PUMA’s "athlete first" philosophy, ensuring the athletes receive global-level resources while also inspiring local communities. These partnerships also demonstrate our focus on empowering top-tier talent and cementing PUMA commitment in running innovation and performance across Southeast Asia. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG 2. Why did PUMA choose these three specific athletes compared to other athletes? EW : The selection of these three elite athletes was deliberate, based on their exceptional talent, proven track records, and potential to elevate the profile of running in Southeast Asia. Each athlete embodies PUMA’s values of resilience, ambition, and innovation, and their success stories align with our mission to champion the region’s top talent. This "elite-first" approach ensures that the program is grounded in high performance, positioning these athletes as ambassadors of excellence not only for Singapore but for the region. Their inclusion highlights our dedication to raising the profile of SEA athletes and providing them with opportunities on par with PUMA’s global elite roster. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG 3. How is PUMA looking to reshape athlete sponsorships in Southeast Asia with this move, and how is this sponsorship different from others? EW : PUMA is redefining athlete sponsorship in Southeast Asia by adopting an "athlete first" approach that prioritises elite talent while integrating meaningful community engagement. Unlike traditional sponsorships, which often focus solely on competitive success, PUMA’s model ensures our athletes receive the same level of support and access as global PUMA elites. This includes cutting-edge performance gear, world-class resources, and platforms to elevate their profiles regionally and globally. By launching this program first in Singapore and subsequently rolling it out across Southeast Asia, PUMA is setting a new standard for athlete sponsorship in the region—one that champions talent, drives innovation, and builds authentic connections with the broader running community. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG 4. What will these athletes have access to, to support their competitions and training compared to other sponsored athletes? EW : The athletes will have access to innovative gear, PUMA Global Access, Event Participation and Community Engagement Opportunities. • Innovative Gear : The latest in PUMA Running’s performance footwear and apparel, including cutting-edge NITRO technology products tailored for distance running. • PUMA Global Access : Access to Global product teams and innovation teams, NITRO lab testing for running economy and product insights, in-person and virtual interactions with PUMA elite runners. • Event Participation : Backing for local and international competitions, providing a platform to excel and inspire. • Community Engagement Opportunities : Platforms like the PUMA NITRO Run Club for mentorship and connection with the running community. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG 5. Are we able to elaborate on their roles for the PUMA NITRO Run Club at this stage? EW : PUMA has an exciting vision to establish two distinct running clubs in most Southeast Asia markets in 2025, which we haven’t shared publicly yet. This vision includes the PUMA NITRO Run Club and a social run club powered by PUMA, each designed to cater to different segments of the running community. Singapore will be the first market to roll out this dual-club approach. The PUMA NITRO Run Club is built on credibility and elite performance, serving as a platform for competitive and aspiring runners. PUMA's elite athletes will be at the core of this initiative, using their accomplishments and expertise to lead advanced training sessions and provide professional guidance on preparation, performance, and race strategy. Their involvement ensures that the club is a trusted resource for serious runners looking to excel. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Meanwhile, the social run club powered by PUMA is designed to engage a broader audience, focusing on inclusivity and community-building. In this space, PUMA athletes will play a more accessible role, engaging with runners by offering practical tips for race days, running motivation, and creating a fun and welcoming environment for runners of all levels. Although this is still in the vision stage, PUMA’s dual-club approach underscores our commitment to both elite performance and community engagement. By rolling out these initiatives, we aim to foster an inclusive running culture across Southeast Asia, empowering everyone—from top-tier athletes to recreational runners—to find their place in the PUMA family. #PUMASG #SeeTheRunLikeWeDo

SportPlus.sg goes behind-the-scenes as trio of prominent Team Singapore athletes become first endurance athletes to be signed by PUMA Singapore, as the global sportswear giant signals intent to be amongst top running brands PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, January 6, 2025 – Global sportswear brand PUMA has officially signed three of Singapore's top endurance athletes, further solidifying its commitment to sports performance and running amidst projected growth in the Southeast Asian market this year. The exciting new partnership sees Vanessa Lee (Singapore's national record holder for steeplechase, 10000m, 5000m and the Mile, and double winner of SCSM and Great Eastern Women's Run Half-marathon), Shaun Goh (Singapore's fastest 10km road runner, SCSM2024 Half Marathon champion and top ranked half-marathon male athlete for 2024); and triathlete Ben Khoo (Singapore's IRONMAN record holder and SCSM2024 full marathon runner-up), join sprinter Joy Kuan in PUMA's stable of athletes from Singapore. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG SportPlus.sg   understands the brand will provide its new ambassadors with top tier support at the same level as other global PUMA athletes: from customised cutting-edge running shoes, apparel, and technology to maximise their performance as they represent Singapore on both the regional and international athletic stages, as well as global opportunities to represent the brand. Each of the three signed athletes will bring a wealth of experience and talent as PUMA looks to grow its roster of elite athletes across the region in the coming year. Through this collaboration, PUMA aims to set the standard for athlete sponsorship across the region, while supporting and elevating the performance of Singapore’s top runners, continuing its ethos of innovation in the world of sports performance footwear and apparel. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG SportPlus.sg joined PUMA behind-the-scenes at a photoshoot last Friday to find out more about a project that has been months in the making, and spoke with the three newly-minted PUMA athletes. “We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional athletes to the PUMA family,” said Eleanor Wang , PUMA's Director of Marketing, Southeast Asia. "The selection of these three elite athletes was deliberate, based on their exceptional talent, proven track records, and potential to elevate the profile of running in Southeast Asia." “Each athlete embodies PUMA’s values of resilience, ambition, and innovation, and their success stories align with our mission to champion the region’s top talent.” PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The signed athletes Vanessa, Shaun and Ben are already leading the way in local competitions, and have aspirations to break records to take their performances to the next level internationally. Each athlete’s unique story, athletic journey, and future ambitions embody the spirit of PUMA’s "Forever Faster" ethos. Read our exclusive interview with Shaun Goh, Vanessa Lee and Ben Khoo and find out what they had to say after joining PUMA. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG SHAUN GOH Singapore's fastest 10km road runner, SCSM2024 Half Marathon champion and top ranked half-marathon male athlete for 2024 In an exclusive interview with SportPlus.sg , Shaun Goh shared: "I am definitely feeling very excited to be part of the PUMA family. It's quite humbling to be able to represent one of the more established and legacy brands as PUMA. It is also one of my first brand sponsors so I am excited to make the most of this opportunity." When asked on the top tier support he will be receiving as an athlete Shaun replied, "It's really awesome that we can have access to such resources, knowledge and technology. It feels very empowering, especially for us Southeast Asian Athletes. It will really help us bridge that performance gap between us and the rest of the world. And it gives me motivation to show PUMA that I am worthy of this opportunity, to thank them for taking a chance on me." PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG And what is he most looking forward to first as a PUMA athlete? "I am most looking forward to putting on the good shoes and to run as fast as I can. To showcase my fitness and the technology that PUMA has," he said with a chuckle. Shaun hopes the tools from PUMA will help him achieve his personal goals this year. "My pet events are the 5000m and 10000m on the track, and I would love to break 15 minutes for 5000m as only three guys have ever done so in Singapore, so I would love to be part of that list. As for the 10000m I would love to break 31 minutes on the track. I've done that timing on the road before, so I would love to emulate such a performance on the track as well." PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG VANESSA LEE Singapore's national record holder for steeplechase, 10000m, 5000m and the Mile, and double winner of SCSM and Great Eastern Women's Run Half-marathon Coming off fresh from another successful season where she defended her half marathon titles at the Singapore Marathon and Great Eastern Women's Run as well as setting new national records, Vanessa Lee shared that she is excited to be working with a fun group of people, and underlined the importance of support for athletes in Singapore. "It's very exciting. This group of people here are very fun to work with, and they are very nice people, very on the ball. So I am very excited to start working with them," she shared with SportPlus.sg . "Any kind of support would help an athlete in Singapore, especially as it's SEA Games year this year. I definitely want to be a lot more performance focused, hit some personal bests (PB) and qualify for the SEA Games, so it (PUMA's parntership) is very beneficial and a lot of support to help me reach my goals for this year." PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG When asked what convinced her to come on board the PUMA project, Vanessa reflects: "I think it's the people. They are very fun to work with, gave me a lot of support and encouragement. And I can see that with their actions, not just words and that's what really brought me on board." "I look forward to running my first race as a PUMA athlete, and I really am excited to run my first race with PUMA but that has to be a while and I really want to do well." BEN KHOO Singapore's IRONMAN record holder and SCSM2024 full marathon runner-up Singapore IRONMAN record holder Ben Khoo was quite the academic who did a lot of research on the brand before deciding to sign on the dotted line. Speaking with SportPlus.sg the Singapore Marathon 2024 runner-up opened up saying: "To be honest, funny thing was I went to read up on PUMA, and went through their entire investor relations deck, read through their annual report." "They have been delivering on what they've promised on running since 2021. They said they were going to deliver a performance shoe and they delivered a performance shoe. They said they were going to grow their running community, and they grew their running community overseas, so they stick to their promises. So it's really exciting to see how PUMA is going to grow the Singapore running community and I would love to be a part of that." "When I had talks with the company I immediately jumped on that because I believed in the mission and what they're trying to do here in Singapore." PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG On what convinced him PUMA was the right choice, having tried running shoes from various brands, Ben shared: "Personally for me I was blown away by the line-up of shoes they showed me." "I've seen the shoes they are going to launch in 2025, and that really convinced me. Their shoes are incredibly fast and I know they are the best tools to support my performance so when I go for the IRONMAN record (this year), if I don't get the record I know it's not the tools, it would probably be me." PHOTO: HANA BASIR,   SPORTPLUS.SG And what are the elite runfluencer's personal goals this year? "I have three goals for 2025 - the first big one is to break the Singapore IRONMAN record by doing a sub 9 hours. I currently hold the record of 9:02. A little bit more of a challenge would be to better the Southeast Asian record which currently stands at 8:57, that would be the cherry on top." He added: "My next goal is to do the SEA Games in either the triathlon or duathlon, it's been something I've been trying to do since 2018. I've failed three times unfortunately but I believe I have what it takes now after training for so many years." "My third goal is to run a fast marathon in a cold, fast course in spring. After having a good performance at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, that actually showed me that I can run, I am not just a triathlete. On behalf of the triathlete community I want to show that triathletes aren't just good at three sports together, but good at single sports too." PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Shared Camaraderie All three athletes share a great camaraderie that is apparent, and they were unanimous in their replies when asked if the friendship they shared will go a long way on this new journey with PUMA. Said Shaun: "Vanessa and Ben are great athletes, and even better people. I have known Vanessa for a very long time, since my university days. She has helped me navigate this high performance athlete route. She has been in the upper echelon for longer than me so she has helped me through the challenges, so having her as a friend on board this journey will definitely make it more fun and more reassuring as well." Vanessa agreed, saying: "It's going to be so fun honestly. It's really great to have them here. Ben, Shaun and I were already so tight even before this so it's going to be really fun to do this together." PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Beyond signing its first endurance sport athletes, PUMA will be making more big moves in the local and regional running scene this year. As part of the collaboration, PUMA will engage in a series of joint initiatives with its athletes, including community outreach programs, athlete training camps and engagement events, allowing local supporters to connect with Singapore's top athletes to gain insight into their training and competitive strategies. PUMA’s entry into this strategic partnership marks a new chapter in the brand's ongoing expansion across Asia, reinforcing its dedication to fostering sporting talent and inspiring a new generation of athletes. #PUMASG #ForeverFaster #SEETHERUNLIKEWEDO

2022 Sydney Half-Marathon participant recalls how an impromptu decision to join the race while on a work-trip turned out to be one of the best decisions she ever made PHOTO VIA SONG AI VEE, CREDIT TO SOURCE An impromptu half-marathon isn't usually something that crosses most people's minds especially when on a work trip. For Song Ai Vee however, running against the Australian breeze was too good of an experience to pass. Then working in a regional marketing role, Ai Vee had already been travelling a lot for work. That's when she found herself bound for New South Wales’ capital city and decided to sign up for the 2022 Sydney Half Marathon . It wasn’t an easy decision for the 26-year-old to go for a 21.1km run on a whim, so much so she deemed signing up as the biggest challenge of the entire race. All sorts of doubts crossed her mind, including potentially losing her confidence if her performance was below par. It was her friends in the end who gave her the final push. PHOTO VIA SONG AI VEE, CREDIT TO SOURCE “I had a shift in perspective. I believe that a good race doesn't necessarily mean breaking a personal best. It’s the entire experience you get out of it,” she said. “I was grateful and excited that I was in Sydney to experience such an event. I let go of any expectations and let the excitement take over. My colleague also told me that the Sydney Harbour Bridge only closes twice a year - for the New Year countdown and for the Sydney Marathon ! So nearing the race, the nerves went away and I was filled with excitement.” At the time, Ai Vee was training for another marathon and she realised that Sydney’s Half Marathon would be a perfect opportunity to gauge her progress. PHOTO VIA SONG AI VEE, CREDIT TO SOURCE “Taking part in the race and finishing with a decent time proved to myself that my hard work was definitely paying off. I was also happy to get the chance to run with my work friends,” she said of what made the race so rewarding. The three Singaporeans ran with each other’s goals in mind despite being fatigued with extremely little sleep the previous night. “We were aiming for a sub 2-hour personal best for one of us! We were determined to break that mark together,” Ai Vee recounts. PHOTO VIA SONG AI VEE, CREDIT TO SOURCE While waiting for her friends to arrive at the start line, Ai Vee watched as the sun rose over the iconic Sydney Opera House . Enchanting pink skies only added to the magic of what was an already buzzing atmosphere as runners fed off of each other’s energy. The trio successfully finished the run under two hours as they had hoped. They even enjoyed the sights of one of the world's most scenic courses as a bonus. “Every time we ran past an iconic landmark, I couldn't help but be a tourist and snap pictures along the way, especially when crossing and running around the Sydney Harbour Bridge and by the Darling Harbour,” she shares of her favourite spots. PHOTO VIA SONG AI VEE, CREDIT TO SOURCE Starting off at a very steady and strong pace, they were confident of finishing under two hours. After soaking up the sights throughout the route, the three colleagues sprinted down the final 3-kilometres towards the finish line. “The lactic acid was building up quick in my legs but I pushed on with everything I had. As we got closer to the finish line, the crowd got louder and I turned the last corner to see the finish line at the Sydney Opera House and a huge crowd!" "It was one of the best feelings to finish with a great time and such great energy from every runner and every spectator,” Ai Vee gushed as she recollects the end of a race that left her overjoyed. PHOTO VIA SONG AI VEE, CREDIT TO SOURCE This year's Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS is officially Australia's biggest ever Marathon, with close to 40,000 sign-ups and some 150 Singaporeans part of that number. Ai Vee’s advice to first-timers is a simple one. “I would say to soak in the view and enjoy!” She said, though quick to acknowledge the difficulty of that in a competitive environment. “I know that might be hard for those fighting for a personal best but the route and atmosphere at the Sydney Marathon is truly amazing so don't forget to look around when you can and soak in the amazing experience.” An experience never to be forgotten, etched in the memory. Get tips about training for the Sydney Marathon from Sydney Marathon ambassador Melvin Wong in our exclusive feature here . Find out more reasons why you should join the Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS, an Abbott World Marathon Major candidate event, in our 5 reasons you should join the Sydney Marathon here . Listen to what Singapore running club leaders had to say in our SportPlus Studio show here . #Running #Marathon #SydneyMarathon

Explore the world with Singapore Masters runner and SportPlus.sg creator Paul Martin in this series that takes you through new running routes around the world, complete with food and sightseeing recommendations! PHOTO: ZURICH, SWITZERLAND Looking to incorporate a bit of exercise into your itinerary as you explore a new city on your next vacation? We might have just the thing for you. Join Singapore masters runner and SportPlus.sg creator Paul Martin as he travels the world and takes us on his favourite running routes, sharing hidden gems you might not know of on your previous visit to a city! PHOTO: PAUL MARTIN If you are not a serious runner, fret not because these routes can easily be replaced with a simple walk or hike. 📍 Zurich, Switzerland Running Route: Distance: 30 KM "I started from fitness park glattpark in a south western direction towards the city center Stussibrunnen, then onto the lake of Zurich in a southern direction passing by Zurichhorn and Chinese Garden. Thereafter I went back into the town area passing Rathaus then to Munsterhof. Made a bee line to Zurich main station, then a slight detour to the beautiful umbrella alley going past the Unterer Letten Swimming amd Recreational Area before heading back. Total mileage of about 30km." PHOTO: PAUL MARTIN Key Attractions Stussibrunnen Fountain, City Centre An old Stussibrunnen fountain, located in Stussihofstatt in Niederdorf, depicts a medieval knight in full armour. Good spot for taking photos for social media. Lake of Zurich Lake Zurich is framed on its south side by the Albis and Zimmerberg hills and on the north by the Pfannenstiel chain of hills. The lake is bordered by the cantons of Zurich, St.Gallen and Schwyz. The best way to discover Lake Zurich is by boat, however if you are exploring the city on foot or just stopping by the lake as part of your run, it is still a beautiful stretch with many instagramable spots. Peaceful and serene, you will also find several good dining choices in the area, which is served by regular boat service all year round. Popular choices to visit around Lake Zurich include the largest covered water park in Europe, the Alpamare in Pfäffikon; the sunny islands of Ufenau and Lützelau near Rapperswil, the wooden footbridge across the lake between Rapperswil and Hurden, the Baroque church in Lachen, and the famous Lindt & Sprüngli chocolate factory in Kilchberg. PHOTO: ZURICH, SWITZERLAND Zurichhorn and the Chinese Garden On the Zürichhorn and various other areas along the lake in Zurich-Seefeld, you’ll find popular bathing spots. From here, large rocks or small pebble beaches will lead you down to Lake Zurich. Shady trees and areas with lots of space on which to play or relax, such as the Blatterwiese, invite you to stop and linger awhile. In the green parks around the lower basin of the lake, there’s always something going on in the summer months. Inline skaters, water sports enthusiasts, jewellery sellers and street artists all gather here to create a colourful scene. Anyone looking for peace and quiet will be able to escape the hustle and bustle on the Zürichhorn at the end of the lakeside promenade, in the wonderful Chinese Garden. The Chinese Garden was a gift from the city’s Chinese sister city of Kunming for the technical and scientific support provided for the expansion of the drinking water supply and urban drainage in Kunming. It is classed as a temple garden and is one of the highest-ranking gardens outside of China. Chinagarten Zürich Bellerivestrasse 138 8008 Zürich PHOTO: ZURICH, SWITZERLAND Rathaus, Town Hall in Zürich A mere 10 minute walk from the Zurich Central Station, the Town Hall in Zürich is among the most significant cultural and architectural landmarks of the city. It is a symbol of power and prosperity of its inhabitants. Many meetings inside this building shaped the future of Zürich. While the building looks rather modest on the outside, it is a building of significance and worth seeing (the Town Hall). Painted ceilings and unique elements line the interior of the building. There is a lot of fretworks in the rooms of the Rathaus. The ceilings of the Rathaus are decorated with floral motives on the red and golden background. The building is more like a gorgeous palace than an administrative office. The Zürich Rathaus was built from 1694 to 1698 and is located on the bank of the Limmat river near the Grossmünster church, on that part of the city, which is known as Old Town. Limmatquai 55, Zurich 8001 Switzerland PHOTO: ZURICH, SWITZERLAND Münsterhof Located in the Altstadt district of Zurich, the Münsterhof town square is a beautiful, idyllic place and home to some of the finest historical buildings in the city. It is the largest square found within the medieval walls and is surrounded by the Fraumünster church, the Zunfthaus zur Meisen and various famous restaurants and cafes. Every three years, a medieval fun fair is organized here by the Fraumünster society. Munsterhof, Zurich, Switzerland, 8001 PHOTO: ZURICH, SWITZERLAND Umbrella Alley Also known as "Zürich-West", this cute umbrella alley can be found in the former industry district. You'll find it near the Hardbrücke train station, and is an extremely instagram worthy spot. Food and Beverage PHOTO: JOHANNITER Johanniter Restaurant Traditional Swiss cuisine in the heart of the city of Zurich. From various locally brewed beers to fresh seasonal dishes, Johanniter offers you a great choice of German, Swiss, European and Central European delicacies. A bonus is that the restaurant is just 5 minutes walk from Zurich main station. Address: Niederdorfstr. 70 8001 Zürich Contact: +41 (0)44 253 62 00 Website: https://johanniter.com/en/dc-home/ PHOTO: JOHANNITER Luigia Restaurant Offering a great choice of Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean, European, Neapolitan, Campania, Southern-Italian food, Luigia is a relatively new italian restaurant chain that just arrived in Zurich, and combines a colourful indoor ambience with as many choices of food. PHOTO: LUIGIA PHOTO: JOHANNITER Address: Talstrasse 61, 8001 Zurich Website: https://www.luigia.ch/ Stay tuned for more of our #RunEveryCity recommendations with Paul, as we help you in your sports travel around the world! #Destinations #Zurich #RunEveryCity

Explore the world with Singapore Masters runner and SportPlus.sg creator Paul Martin in this series that takes you through new running routes around the world, complete with food and sightseeing recommendations! PHOTO: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS Looking to incorporate a bit of exercise into your itinerary as you explore a new city on your next vacation? We might have just the thing for you. Join Singapore masters runner and SportPlus.sg creator Paul Martin as he travels the world and takes us on his favourite running routes, sharing hidden gems you might not know of on your previous visit to a city! PHOTO: PAUL MARTIN If you are not a serious runner, fret not because these routes can easily be replaced with a simple walk or hike. 📍 Amsterdam, Netherlands Running Route 1: Distance: 21KM "I started from my hotel, and head to the International Theatre. From there it was a to Dam Square, Central Station and a short trip to the Red Light district before heading back to Dam Square, the International Theatre and then to Vondelpark where I ended off the day's run with 3 x 5km loops around the park to finish with 21KM." PHOTO: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS Key Attractions International Theatre Amsterdam Seen as a beacon for contemporary theatre that caters to audiences from Amsterdam and around the world, and leading the way at the national and international levels, the Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA) was formed in the 2018 - 2019 season onwards with the merging of the Amsterdam Stadsschouwburg and Toneelgroep Amsterdam on 1 January 2018. The theatre produces high-quality programmes with 600 pluriform national and international theatre and dance performances each year, offering social programmes that appeal to a wide range of audiences, bringing them new ways of understanding and seeing the world. PHOTO: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS Dam Square The Dam Square is the central main square and the most famous square in Amsterdam. Located in the center of the medieval city center, it is surrounded by many beautiful buildings of national importance to the Dutch. The most noticeable and main buidling at the square is the neoclassical Royal Palace, which is of great historical importance. Central Station The main train station in Amsterdam, Central Station witnesses over 250,000 people passing through its doors on a daily basis. Sports travelers and runners can expect useful amenities for their lifestyle as well such as luggage lockers, currency exchange, bicycle storage and bicycle repair shop or rental servicews, and the station is also accessible for those who are wheelchair bound. If you plan to travel around the city, it is recommended that you go with a "City Pass", which can be purchased at this station. PHOTO: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS Red Light District A world-renowned tourist attraction, the Amsterdam Red Light District is one of the most talked-about neighbourhoods in the city and country, due to its housing of the world’s oldest profession - prostitution. While the trade is mostly frowned upon across the world, it is done openly and celebrated in Amsterdam, with the area, known as “De Wallen” for the Dutch, offering a showcase of live sex shows, sex shops, brothels, and strip clubs. While it was traditionally an unsafe zone, it is widely regarded as fairly safe in the modern context apart from pickpockets. PHOTO: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS Vondelpark The largest city park in Amsterdam and also the most famous park of the Netherlands, Vondelpark can either be explored via a guided bicycle tour with a guide sharing with you all about the history of the park, or on foot where runners frequent. The park also boasts sculptures such as the statue of poet Vondel, an open air theatre that hosts free concerts in the summer, the cast iron music dome, the Groot Melkhuis with playground for children, and the historical Pavilion with its restaurant Vertigo. Food and Beverage PHOTO: PAUL MARTIN Cafe De Klos Ranked as the number 1 restaurant for barbeque in Amsterdam, Cafe De Klos is one of the most popular steakhouses in the city. Located in a more commercialised side of the city or what some may deem as 'touristy', it goes back to basics with simple tasty and juicy spareribs. The bad news is that you cannot make reservations here, and the wait is sometimes up to two hours. Address : Kerkstraat 41, 1017 GB Amsterdam The Netherlands Website : https://dekloscafe.wordpress.com/ Cannibale Royale Located in Amsterdam's City Centre area, Cannibale Royale offers a good variety of dining options from their renowned spicy chicken wings, to steak tatare, rib roast with a side flame-grilled lamb t-bones with salsa verde, or Cannibale ribs glazed in a sweet marinade. Address: Handboogstraat 17a, 1012 XM Amsterdam, Netherlands Website: https://cannibaleroyale.nl/ Stay tuned for more of our #RunEveryCity recommendations with Paul, as we help you in your sports travel around the world! #Destinations #Amsterdam #RunEveryCity

Find out how you can improve your movement efficiency and train for explosive power in HYROX Singapore with plyometric exercises, resistance bands and sprint drills PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Looking to improve the ways you train your explosiveness or increase your strength and power for performance at HYROX Singapore ? Find out how you can improve your movement efficiency and train for explosive power in HYROX with plyometric exercises, resistance bands and sprint drills with former national sprinter, speed and strength specialist and 100PLUS athlete Lim Yao Peng . PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG And don't forget while training for HYROX that recovery is important too, and there is no better way to recover than with 100PLUS PRO , a choice recovery drink by high performance athletes with added protein and BCAAs to speed up your recovery post training. Today we look at how you can incorporate plyometrics, resistance bands and sprint drills to improve your power and explosiveness at HYROX stations such as the sled push, SkiErgs, Wall Balls and Burpee Broad Jump. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Understand Your Training Objective To be effective with training, you must first understand your objective as that in turn determines your aim - are you training for vertical strength or horizontal strength? Placing the resistance band at different angles and body parts changes and activates different muscle groups. If you are training hip flexor work, you can put it at your lower leg as an example. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG How can any participant ensure proper form and technique while performing plyometric exercises to prevent injury? To ensure proper technique, you need to be with someone who knows how to execute it correctly to be with you. That is my best advice. Rather than you try on your own, then because of the intensity and form, and volume that is wrong it leads to injury. Are there any specific progressions or variations of plyometric exercises that would be better for beginners? To be safe, I would always recommend that you understand intensity. Start with low intensity first, playing with pogo hops on softer surfaces, using the rebound elastic effect, then progressively you get into a bigger range of motion etc, a higher height or apply more force. It is really a spectrum, and you need to know your background before defining what is beginner. But intensity needs to be kept low at the start. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG What role do resistance bands workout play in improving explosiveness, and how can people integrate them effectively into their workouts? Resistance band is a great tool for explosiveness. In terms of how you can use it well, you really need to know what you want to work on in terms of the action and where the force is being produced. For example if you put the resistance band at your hip, is the band being pulled backwards? Or is it more downwards? It affects the way you project yourself depending on where it is. Different angles change and activate different muscle groups. If you are training hip flexor work, you can put it at your lower leg for example. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Could you suggest any specific sprint drills that target explosiveness, that complement sled stations and running in HYROX? I always recommend two drills, first is to basically know how to do high knees properly. Your arm swing, the way you move your legs. The way you apply force through the action is critical. The other drill would be straight leg bounding, which I personally call scissors, as it trains a lot of your posterior chain - your hamstrings, your glutes and your calves. This is done in order to learn how to be stiff and apply force. To be specific for HYROX , as the event involves a bit more endurance and not just a sprint - these two drills are good but I would also recommend using high knees to improve your technique and couple it with running up slopes or stairs as part of your training regime. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Recovery exercises and mobility exercises to complement explosive training? Most basic one would be your stretches, you are looking at lower body - your legs, glutes, hamstrings and calves. Upper body would be your shoulder area and back. Having a good and religious stretching routine - from there you can add on foam rolling to assist you to loosen up the muscles, maybe some mobility exercises to keep the joints mobile. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG #HYROXSG #100PLUSPRO #ExplosiveTraining

Spin Instructor Ria Chen will be competing in her first HYROX race, we ask her the tips to better strength endurance for endurance racing PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG From spin sprints to HIIT, Ria Chen is no stranger to cardio and endurance workouts. Come 29 June, she will be taking on her first HYROX race, as one of fourteen (14) athletes representing Team 100PLUS . We find out from the Spin instructor and Team 100PLUS athlete how everyone can improve their strength endurance to last the fitness race that is HYROX Singapore with specific drills, and how having a good core can help reduce injuries and fatigue during the fitness race. And don't forget while training for HYROX Singapore  that recovery is important too, and there is no better way to recover than with 100PLUS PRO High Protein , a choice recovery drink by high performance athletes with added protein and BCAAs to speed up your recovery post training. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Incorporating Everyday Activities into your HYROX training Are there any particular variations or modifications of traditional gym exercises that can be adapted for use with everyday objects to better simulate the movements required for HYROX events? Ria : When we talk about things that we use everyday or things that we see everyday I would say grocery shopping would be one of the closer few for farmer's carry. Or if you come from a big family and you have large bags of rice at home you can use it to simulate wall balls or lunges. Like just hold it and squat and lunge. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG What role does core strength play in successfully completing exercises like Burpee Broad Jumps, Sandbag Lunges, and Wall Balls? Ria : So having good core strength would help you perform movements better because you will fatigue less and you will be able to better perform movements with better posture, and even when you start to fatigue you won't get injured as compared to if you have a weaker core. So less injuries, less fatigue, better endurance if you have a good core. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Drill and Exercises for Better Explosiveness Can you suggest any specific drills or exercises that focus on explosiveness and power development to complement leg and core endurance training for exercises like Broad Jumps, Sandbag Lunges, and Wall Balls? Ria : So for body weight exercises - for explosive movements you can do jump lunges, squat jumps or even hop ups that you can do easily without equipment. For weighted exercises you could do things like thrusters or push presses. For more details on how you can train explosiveness and power for HYROX Singapore , read up on our feature with former national sprinter Yao Peng here . PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG How important is mental preparation and focus in successfully completing leg and core endurance exercises during HYROX events, and do you have any strategies for improving mental resilience during training? Ria : For myself it's my first time competing in HYROX, it's an endurance based race - you will be working out for an hour plus or even two hours. So having good mental strength going into the competition and going into race day is very important because when your body starts to fatigue, it's really your mind that will get you going. And if let's say you are doing 75 or 100 wall balls and the judge comes and tells you that 20 are not counted, and you still have to do 20 more. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG How to better prepare for this? My personal training plan would be to train for more reps than required, and with a heavier weight than what is required for the event so that on the day of you are actually prepared for these circumstances if you have to do more reps your body will be in tune with it - it won't come as a shock and you will still be able to perform the reps. #HYROXSG #100PLUSPRO #StrengthEndurance

Team 100PLUS competes across four divisions as excitement builds for August edition at Singapore EXPO Ria Chen made an impressive HYROX debut in the Women's Open. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Monday, 1 July 2024 - Over 6,500 participants swarmed the iconic National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub at the Cigna Healthcare HYROX Singapore on Saturday - dubbed as the largest single day HYROX event in the whole world. The history-making attendance of 12,500 racers and spectators was double of last year's 3,500 participants and 2,000 spectators who witnessed the inaugural edition of HYROX in Singapore in October 2023. From everyday athletes to the pros, the display of unwavering strength, skill and determination was evident, while loud cheers rang across the stadium at each station - with friends and family urging their team on in the face of the most physically demanding stations. Dynamic duo Daniel Fang and Paul Martin on the run at Cigna Healthcare HYROX Singapore. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG HYROX Singapore’s Country Manager, William Petty said, “We’re extremely thrilled with the turnout and the atmosphere of the event today, especially off the back of last year’s already roaring success. Seeing participants across different age groups coming together really amplifies the dynamic fitness culture Singapore has to offer, which is truly inspiring. With this edition of HYROX having already set the bar so high, I’m excited to see what our August race brings.” The day began with the Men's Doubles events, followed by the Men's Open and Pros before the afternoon saw the women take centre stage in the Mixed Doubles, Women's Doubles and Women's Open category. Melissa Foo celebrates with her coveted HYROX patch upon completing her race. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The event then ended off with the relays in the evening to wrap-up an electrifying day of fitness racing at the Singapore Sports Hub . It was an eventful day for Team 100PLUS , with up to 15 athletes competing across four divisions, decked in their outfits from event apparel sponsors Puma Singapore. Loh Guo Pei (left) and Kenneth Seet all smiles at the 100PLUS booth. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Speaking with SportPlus.sg , Team 100PLUS athlete Kenneth Seet said: "Today was much better for me than last year. There was a carnival-like atmosphere with supporters watching at the side. All in all, it was an excellent experience and I’ll be back next year!" He added: "Thanks to 100PLUS for bringing us together. We train and compete together. During the run and at the stations, I could see several team 100PLUS athletes giving each other High fives and encouraging one another along the way. It really helped with the team spirit and camaraderie." Team 100PLUS athlete and HYROX ambassador Samuel Chua in the sled push station. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG After making its Southeast Asia debut last year, the global fitness race phenomenon saw participants push themselves yet again in their respective categories, all while feeling motivated by the electric atmosphere coming from the encouragement of friends and families cheering on at the stands. The sold-out event, which is the only in-stadium experience in the Asia Pacific, created an unforgettable day of fitness as both Singaporeans and enthusiasts from around the globe gathered to participate in this landmark race. Here is a quick look at some highlights of the day in pictures through Team 100PLUS' lenses at Cigna Healthcare HYROX Singapore 2024. Loh Guo Pei in action at the wall balls station. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG 100PLUS athlete and head coach of New Balance Run Club Loh Guo Pei took part in the Men's Open category, and claimed a commendable 1:22:53 to take 53rd in his age group and 120nd overall. Lucas Lim gets off to a flier in the Ski-ergs. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Lucas Lim blazed his way through the course to clock a 1:17:00 to clinch 15th in age group, 50th overall. Veteran Samuel Lim aces sandbag lunges. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Samuel Lim , aka "that Uncle Sam", took part in the Mixed Relay at this year's HYROX. Together with John Yeong , Chermaine Zhou and Esther Wong , they finished with an overall team time of 1:23:48 to come in 27th out of a field of 165 teams. John Yeong (left) and Chermaine Zhou post race. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG John Yeong (left) and Chermaine Zhou pose with their coveted HYROX patches upon completion of their Mixed Relay race at HYROX Singapore. Kenneth Lee in his second HYROX Men's Open. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Kenneth Lee at the Ski-ergs station - Lee makes a return for a second straight year in the Men's Open category, and continues to inspire people around him with a stellar performance by completing the full course unbroken and without stopping. Lim Yaoxiang in action at Ski-ergs. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Former national swimmer and Water Polo athlete Lim Yaoxiang gears up for the Ski-ergs station. He competed in the Men's Open this year after doing the Men's Doubles in the inaugural year HYROX began in Singapore. Daniel Fang rowing his way to victory in the Men's Doubles. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Daniel Fang opened the day for Team 100PLUS with Paul Martin in the Men's Doubles category. The duo impressed with a finish time of 1:20 minutes. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Running content creator Melissa Foo in action at the Ski-ergs station. She makes her HYROX bow in the Women's Open, and completed with a respectable 1:47:50 to take 36th in her age group and 187th overall. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Popular spin and fitness trainer Ria Chen completed her day with two HYROX events - the women's open and mixed relay. She blazed through the course to take 7th in her age group and 25th overall with a time of 1:25:16. #HYROXSG #HYROXAPAC #Team100PLUS

Outdo yourself in HYROX's strength stations regardless of your age with the right training techniques and useful tips from national fin swimmer and gym owner Lim Yao Xiang PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Age is just a number, or is it? While there is some truth that our muscle mass declines as we age, it is definitely possible to stay strong and even dominate fitness races well into your 40s with the right training, says national fin swimmer and gym owner Lim Yao Xiang in this special collab feature with 100PLUS Singapore . In an article published by Harvard Medical School , studies show that after age 30, you begin to lose as much as 3% to 5% per decade, while most men will lose about 30% of their muscle mass during their lifetimes. Less muscle means greater weakness and less mobility, both of which may increase your risk of falls and fractures. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG This however, has not stopped many individuals well into their 40s from participating in popular fitness race HYROX Singapore . But how can one train in the right way to ensure they can still perform to their best and outdo themselves in HYROX? Here, Yaoxiang offers our readers some useful tips: 1. Can you provide more detail on how Farmer’s Carry to Suitcase Carry helps in preparing for strength stations in HYROX, and how should one incorporate it into their training routine? I believe that both are very similar, you need to stay upright and tall while holding weights with your arms. So forearms are very important while all the muscles of your spine are also important. I believe it would be hugely beneficial to add short distances to your training so that you will be able to do so even while fatigued - when you struggle to be catching your breath and standing upright. I think that's the best time to add a short distance into your trainings. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG 2. As a national swimmer and former water polo athlete, how do you suggest incorporating pulls and swimming movements into land-based training to improve performance in pull stations like the Ski-Erg and Rowers in HYROX? I believe these two actions are pulling actions, so I suggest overhead pulls - any cables or lat pulldowns will do, and also pulling from the front - these are very important directional pulls which you need for these two machines. 3. What specific resistance band exercises do you recommend for targeting the muscles used during SkiErgs and Rowers, and how should they be integrated into a training program? With regard to resistance bands, I think it's good to tie them to some sort of weight: for example kettlebells or dumb bells, so it sort of dangles in mid air instead of holding from the handles of the equipment. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG This dangling effect enforces the grip strength that you need and because it's a smaller grip, your fingers need to tighten and it will further strengthen your fingers and all your extensor muscles which are very hard to do. And during HYROX, there are a lot of exercises which require you to hold onto something for a prolonged period of time, so this really helps the deeper muscles in your forearms. 4. Are there any additional exercises or training methods beyond those mentioned that you recommend for mastering strength stations in HYROX? I believe general exercises like lifts, squats are important for basic strength. One exercise I would suggest on top of a normal squat would be the heel raise squat. This will force your ankles and knees to be working a lot harder. This will definitely be beneficial as during the race itself there will be a lot of pounding of your feet and you hear of many athletes who feel sore from extensive working of these joints. So incorporating heel raise squats into your trainings would be beneficial for your race, I would say. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG 5. How important is grip strength in mastering strength stations, and are there any specific exercises or techniques you suggest for improving grip strength? At least five of the HYROX stations require a lot of grip strength. Why I say it's important is because it's actually a very small muscle, so a lot of people tend to underestimate its importance. It's probably beneficial to add this exercise called a dead hang - hanging from a bar, arms straight like how we used to do when we were children, so these will really help improve your grip strength and overhead flexibility as well. Training for HYROX Singapore ? Don't forget to refuel like a pro and recover better with 100PLUS PRO High Protein . Find out more in our exclusive stories here . #HYROXSG #HYROXAPAC #100PLUS #Team100PLUS #100PLUSPRO