Search Results

Malaysia Pro Cycling Team’s Mohamad Saari Amri Abd Rasim sprints to his career-first solo victory with Singaporean Tong Khoon Fong coming in second Johor, Malaysia, 14 September 2024 - The streets of Iskandar Puteri came alive as cycling enthusiasts from across the region gathered for the first-ever Maybank Cycling Series Johor. The event drew over 5,000 eventgoers, including family and friends, to celebrate heritage, sustainability and community spirit.     Organised by Majlis Sukan Negeri Johor (MSNJ) and KPRJ Sports Sdn Bhd (KSSB), the inaugural Maybank Cycling Series Johor aimed to promote an active lifestyle while advocating for environmentally conscious practices and supporting initiatives to preserve Johor's natural and cultural heritage.  Over 2,500 cyclists from 35 countries flagged off from Sunway Big Box Retail Park Iskandar Puteri, embarking on a scenic route through many of Iskandar Puteri’s iconic landmarks including Legoland and EnerG X Park, Leisure Farm Resort, Kukup Golf Resort, The Museum Bugis coastline path, and more, tackling two categories - a challenging 120km Road Race and a 60km Fellowship Ride.  In a thrilling competition, Mohamad Saari Amri Abd Rasim and Khairunnisa Aleeya Saifulnizam emerged as overall champions in the rain-soaked men's and women's races, respectively. Both Johor-born cyclists delighted the local Malaysian fans with their victories. Singaporean Tong Khoon Fung came in second, trailing just behind the Malaysian. Saari dominated the men's race, crossing the finish line solo with an impressive time of 2:47:37. He finished 17 seconds ahead of his closest challengers, Tong Khoon Fung (2:47:54) and Muhammad Faheem Razen M Zaini (2:47:57). For the 26-year-old Saari, this victory came at an opportune moment. He hopes it will boost his chances of selection for the Malaysia Pro Cycling Team squad in the upcoming Le Tour De Langkawi. "In the final 20km, I seized the opportunity to break away from the peloton and pushed solo all the way to the finish. It's particularly satisfying because my previous wins were in bunched sprints," Saari explained.  "The Maybank Cycling Series Johor was no less competitive, as there were some quality competitors who were former members of pro tour and national teams," noted Saari, who also came out on top in the Men's Master A category and led Malaysia Pro Cycling Team to team glory. He added, "A big shoutout to organisers and sponsors who worked tirelessly to make this event a success. It's been a while since we had a cycling event of this scale, especially after COVID-19. The state needs this kind of event badly because it's through these events that the talent pool can be expanded and new talents discovered." Khairunnisa picked up where she left off from Sukma in Sarawak recently to make it two wins on the trot. The 20-year-old clinched the yellow jersey in emphatic fashion, clocking 2:49:48 to defeat her more illustrious national teammate Phi Kun Pan. The reigning Under-23 Asian Road Cycling Champion Phi Kun Pan came in second with 2:59:33, followed by Nurina Qistina Zahraa Dewa Indra in third (3:04:40). "I would say today's victory was rather unexpected. I did not set any target as I had just returned to training barely a week ago, after competing in Sukma recently," said Khairunnisa, also the winner of women’s Under-23 honour. "Winning in my home state made it even more special. It's a great effort by the organizers because it provided amateur riders with a platform to shine. Frankly, I thought the race was challenging. It was definitely not a stroll in the park; the pace of the race was nearly, if not on par with those pro races." Ts. Mohd Ekmaluddin Ishak, Director of MSNJ said “Our main objective was to inspire a healthier lifestyle among the community by encouraging active participation through cycling. We strongly believe that events like this play a crucial role in building a stronger and more engaged community.”  “Furthermore, the Maybank Cycling Series Johor marks a significant step towards establishing Johor as a cycling destination. By organising our own cycling series, we demonstrated the state’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of the cycling community. We are confident that this event has contributed to making Johor a more cycling-friendly state and hope this entire event will inspire more people to embrace cycling as a mode of recreation.”  While riders navigated the routes of Iskandar Puteri, Maybank Cycling Series also hosted a vibrant festival village offering a wide range of activities for attendees of all ages. The excitement included BMX downhill challenge for the extreme enthusiasts, pushbike circuit races for children, among various other engaging activities and booths. Eventgoers were also entertained by live stage performances from the Hard Rock resident music band and a cultural showcase by Yayasan Warisan Johor.   The festival also had a strong focus on giving back, incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Over 250 mangrove trees were planted at Taman Negara Johor Tanjung Piai in Pontian, with a pledge to plant one tree for every ten participants.   Johor-born Olympians lent their star power to the event with special appearances. National track cycling ace Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom and golfer Kelly Tan added prestige to the occasion. Muar-born Shah Firdaus recently reached the men's keirin final at the Paris Olympics, while Maybank ambassador Kelly, hailing from Batu Pahat, has represented Malaysia twice at the Olympics - in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Also gracing the event was former SEA Games netball gold medallist, Nur Fariha Abdul Razak who also hails from Johor. 2024 MAYBANK CYCLING SERIES JOHOR – 120KM ROAD RACE – MEN OVERALL 1ST Mohamad Saari Amri Abd Rasim  Malaysia 02:47:37 2ND Tong Khoon Fung Singapore 02:47:54 3RD Muhammad Faheem Razen bin M Zaini Malaysia 02:47:57 2024 MAYBANK CYCLING SERIES JOHOR – 120KM ROAD RACE – WOMEN OVERALL 1ST Khairunnisa Aleeya Binti Saifulnizam Malaysia 02:49:48 2ND Phi Kun Pan Malaysia 02:59:33 3RD Nurina Qistina Zahraa Dewa Indra Malaysia 03:04:40 2024 Maybank Cycling Series Johor – CATEGORY WINNERS – 120KM TEAM Malaysia Pro Cycling Malaysia SPRINT Mohamad Saari Amri Abd Rasim Malaysia KING OF THE MOUNTAIN Mohamad Izzat Hilmi Abd Halil Malaysia

Singapore's Christian Ho makes history once again by becoming the first local Formula race car driver to soon feature in the FIA Formula 3 SINGAPORE, 16 SEPTEMBER 2024 – Teen racing sensation Christian Ho , 17, has made history as the  first Singaporean to secure a seat on the FIA Formula 3 Championship, taking a big step forward in his  quest to become the first Singaporean Formula 1 driver.  The FIA F3 championship is part of motorsport’s governing body FIA’s pathway aimed at helping  drivers reach the pinnacle of the sport, sitting in between the FIA Formula 4 and Formula 2  championships. Most if not all F1 drivers go through the third-tier championship which serves as a  feeder series.   The FIA F3 season typically takes place on the sidelines of F1 races at the same circuits. The 2024  season consists of 30 drivers from 10 teams, 10 rounds and includes iconic venues such as England’s  Silverstone, Monaco’s street circuit and the Red Bull Ring in Austria. The FIA F3 races are shown live  globally on the F1 channel and take place a few hours before the F1 race. This will bring unprecedented  exposure and more will be able to catch 17-year-old Ho in action.  With this new move, the 17-year-old Ho will make the step up from Eurocup-3 where he currently sits  second of 32 drivers and first place in the rookies standings, having clinched three wins and six podiums  after six rounds of racing. The last two Eurocup-3 weekends take place from Oct 4 to 6 and Nov 8 to 10 in Spain.   Since moving to Europe at 11 to pursue his motorsport career, Ho has made stellar progress and made  waves in the racing world. He has consistently been one of the top drivers for his age group and made  steady progress earning a promotion to the next category of racing on a yearly basis. When he was  12, he became the first Asian to win a race in the Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft (DKM) German Karting  Championship series. Following a successful karting journey, during which he came second in the FIA  Karting Academy Trophy and the German Junior championship in OK-Junior karts in 2019. The  following year in 2020, Ho started on pole position in the Final race of the prestigious CIKFIA World  Karting Championship, being the first Asian to do so since F1 driver, Alex Albon. It was a close fight for  the top spot and he finished fourth overall in this championship. He also clinched 3rd place in the WSK  champion cup in the same year. In 2022, Ho made the move up to junior formula cars (single seater)  in the F4 Spanish Championship. He finished in second in the 2023 F4 Spanish Championship, clinching  five wins and 13 podium finishes.  Ho said: “I’m really excited to secure my seat in FIA F3 next year. I’ve learnt a lot from competing in  the F4 and Eurocup-3, and those experiences will definitely help as I take on this new challenge. It  hasn't been an easy journey especially being far away from my family and balancing studying and  racing at the same time." "FIA F3 is going to be a whole new ball game with better, faster drivers and  while it's going to get harder from here, I know I can make it. I'm ready to learn, ready to take things  to the next level and keep getting better. All FIA F3 races will be shown live on TV before the F1 races,  I really hope that with more exposure, more Singaporeans as well as local sponsors will be able to  catch me in action and support my quest to become the first Singaporean F1 driver.” Ho will be in town for the F1 Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay before returning to Europe to  complete his Eurocup-3 season and set up his base for the upcoming FIA F3 season. More details of  his FIA F3 team will be shared in due course.  Winson Ow, President of Motor Sport Singapore, said: “Christian has achieved a remarkable feat in  being the first Singaporean to reach the FIA F3 championship, and we are all very proud of him. He  has adapted well to the challenges of racing over the past few years and we are confident he will thrive  in this next stage of his journey as well. We hope this raises the level of interest and support for motor  sports and our local drivers.”  #Formula1 #SingaporeGrandPrix

With the Formula 1 racers set to bring the heat to the streets of Singapore once again in what's been a thrilling season so far, here's all you need to consider for your predictions Coming off the back of the Formula 1 season summer break and a spectacular set of races, there's only a few days to go before the much-anticipated 2024 Singapore Grand Prix .   The race comes after Oscar Piastri scored his second ever victory for McLaren Mercedes Racing team, promoting the team to the very top step of the Constructors’ Championship standings, surpassing reigning champions Red Bull Racing.    McLaren last led the constructors’ championship after the first race of the hybrid era at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix. In what has been arguably the most topsy-turvy season of F1 in recent memory, much has happened since even before the season began, with Lewis Hamilton’s shock move to Ferrari, Red Bull’s waning performance, Charles Leclerc’s victories in Monaco and Monza. Lando Norris, who has been driving for McLaren for 5 seasons is enjoying his most successful run in the driver’s standings of the season, only being second to Max Verstappen.  With the season now in its second half and Red Bull’s poor form, as well as McLaren’s recent run of dominant performances, Norris looks likely to surpass Verstappen by the end of the season.  However, he’s not the only championship contender this year. Charles Leclerc is trailing close behind in third place.  The recent Azerbaijani Grand Prix in Baku highlighted Red Bull’s seemingly diminishing form with Max Verstappen only managing 5th place and teammate Checo Perez crashing out just before the final lap.  It remains to be seen how the driver’s championship will play out, with all eyes now set on Singapore's famed night race. Can Red Bull’s recent upgrades to their car be fine tuned enough to solve its current technical problems? Will Lando Norris be able to make sizeable inroads in eking out Max Verstappen’s championship lead? Will his teammate Oscar Piastri make it harder, or will the team have to step in with team orders to protect Lando’s championship run?   Lando seems more than ready to dethrone Max to become the next world champion, however it remains to be seen whether he can pull it off. There is still a sizeable deficit between the championship leader and second place. And with team orders and McLaren’s seemingly indecisive stance on whether they want to allow both of their drivers to race or have Oscar protect Lando against other teams’ drivers, it’s all down to the next few races to decide who comes out on top.  Other recent noteworthy events that have unfolded include lead aerodynamicist and car designer Adrian Newey’s future services have officially been secured by Aston Martin. This comes after the designer — who is behind some of the most technologically advanced and successful Formula 1 cars in history — concluded his partnership with Red Bull after 18 years.   The Azerbaijani GP also saw a few F1 rookies excel. Franco Colapinto, an F2 driver who was plucked out from F2 to replace an underwhelming Logan Sargeant at the Williams F1 team scored 4 points for Williams after he crossed the line in 8th place, just behind teammate Alex Albon who scored 6 points for his 7th place finish. Williams most successful weekend of the season thus far, the team managed to bring home 10 points, surpassing Alpine to claim the 8th spot in the constructor’s championship.  Personally, as a Williams fan, this last weekend has certainly been a breathe of relief: We’re finally ahead of Alpine!    While Williams isn't a big name in Singpaore, for the two people that really care about Williams, I have good news! Williams Fan Zone set-up in Suntec City Atrium (Tower 3 & 4) between 16 and 22 September. At this booth, you can find the FW46 show car, Williams merchandise, an F1 simulator and even meet-and-greet opportunities with a driver from the Williams family. Alex Albon was in attendance today at the Williams Fan Zone. Other drivers that were attendance were Lia Block and INDY NXT driver Jamie Chadwick. If you’re a fan of Alpine, not to worry, there is something for you too, Alpine’s very own pop-up booth located at Velocity in Novena, happening from 6 to 22 September. Esteban Ocon has made an appearance on the 18th at the booth answering a few questions.  Enjoy entertainment from the plethora of international musicians and performance artistes happening throughout the weekend. As for the racing, apart from the main Formula 1 race, the Porche Carrer Cup will also be taking place throughout the weekend. Additionally, the F1 Academy will also be happening throughout the weekend: come support your favourite female drivers!  Unfortunately tickets are fully sold out for the race but if you fancy listening to some formula engines singing through the streets of downtown Singapore, you can still travel to town and soak up the bustling Formula 1 weekend atmosphere.  #SingaporeGP #F1NightRace

Singaporeans set to run the Sydney Marathon gathered on Saturday morning for the official Singapore contingent shakeout run a day after collecting their bibs at the race expo 10 degrees? No problem. It was a cold Saturday morning, worlds away from the harsh heat of a Singaporean sunrise but the atmosphere was abuzz anyways. Singaporean runners took to the streets of Sydney the day before the TCS Sydney Marathon Presented by ASICS for the Singapore contingent's official shakeout run, led by Fast and Free Run Club (FFRC) . Runners gathered bright and early at the Archibald Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park for a 5.4km run around the harbour. The route was kept as a surprise for participants, and what a pleasant one it was. The four pace groups jogged along some of Sydney's most picturesque landmarks. They made their way around the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background, and trotted forward along the famed harbour before concluding their run at the Bourke Street Bakery in Barangaroo. The excitement for the marathon had evidently swept across the New South Wales capital, as the Singaporean group wasn't the only one taking hitting the streets for a short run around the city. Workers and tourists along the harbour were entertained as they watched group after group of runners jog by, wishing them luck for the big day as they passed. "I actually got emotional when I saw the Sydney Opera House," said Paul Flores, who's set to cross the finish line at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt tomorrow. "We've already trained for 16 weeks, so I'm really excited for the celebrations tomorrow." "We ran through where the finish line is going to be tomorrow and it's so beautiful. I can imagine that it's going to be lined with crowds. It's going to be really cool," shared Wei Wen, a runner with FFRC. The day before, most of the Singapore contingent kicked off their stay in Sydney by collecting their race bibs at the TCS Sydney Marathon Running Show Presented by ASICS at ICC Sydney. With 50 exhibitors, including the likes of nutrition drink brand AG1 , it is Australia's biggest running show. "We were afraid that there was going to be a long queue, but thankfully, we didn't wait too long to collect our bibs," shared Sharon Choo , before her partner, Jonathan Loh added, "it's so well organised so good job to the organisers!" "We're excited for the ASICS merch and I think there's even a personalisation station so that's pretty cool." For Sharon, who was injured for the weeks leading up to the Sydney Marathon, finally making it to the Race Expo made it all too real that she was finally set to take on the infamous hills of the marathon. "I have mixed feelings about Sunday's race as I got injured about two months ago. I didn't experience any pain last week so I'm looking forward to the race. It'll be my first experience at the Sydney Marathon so I'm looking forward to meeting my friends at the finish line." Runners lined up for their photos to be taken with various backdrops available at the expo, before reaching the ASICS merchandise and main stage. After the main stage, came the exhibition booths. Aw Sze Yi, part of the Sydney Marathon Coaching Clinic conducted by Elevate Performance Coaching , had been one of ten winners who won a slot in the programme through a giveaway with Sportplus.sg back in May 2024. Now, four months on, she's finally got her hands on her race bib. We caught up with her at the main stage as Singaporean runners streamed in for a group photo. She was nervous for the start of the coaching programme then. Now, her nerves are still evident as she broke into laughter at the thought of her feelings towards Sunday's race. "I'm nervous!" she laughed, gesturing toward herself. "Can you tell I'm excited?" "I don't know if I should say that I'm ready or that i'm not, but I am excited to be here and I hope to finish the race injury free. Let's cross the finish line together!" The starter's gun is set to fire tomorrow morning in North Sydney's miller street. With the Race Expo and shakeout runs now out of the way, all that's left for the runners is to finally finish what they started. For more pictures of the shakeout run, visit our gallery here . #SydneyMarathon   #MakeSydneyAMajor   #FeelNewSydney   #SGtoSydney

Spanish side Unicaja Malaga beat NBA G League United to the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2024 title on Sunday evening at the Singapore Indoor Stadium A picture-perfect finish for Unicaja Malaga as the team decisively beat out G League United to clinch the title as the new reigning champions of the  34th FIBA Intercontinental Cup  at Singapore Indoor Stadium.  The Spanish champions beat the deflated American side 75 – 60 in an action-packed final match of the competition which saw the Spanish outfit lifting their first title in the competition.  Not understating the outfit from the USA, the NBA G League United team made history this time out, becoming the first team from the USA to reach the final since 1974.  From the 12th to the 15th of September 2024, six of some of the best club basketball teams in the world convened at the Singapore Indoor Stadium to settle their differences in a competition for basketball supremacy. There were special guests in attendance too, most notably NBA All-Star and current CBA team Beijing Royal Fighters head coach Stephon Marbury.   Preceding the final day, NBA G League United just edged out NBL champions Tasmania JackJumpers to secure their spot in the Final, against Unicaja.    Unicaja Malaga enjoyed an unbroken win-streak, completing a clean sweep of Group A, beating out Petro De Luanda and fellow BCL champ, Asian team Al Riyadi Beirut, and securing their spot in the final early.   Podium Place Drama Tasmania Jackjumpers beat out Al Riyadi Beirut to secure an overall third place finish in the championship in what was a to dominant game for the Australians. There was late drama in the game when the team from Beirut pulled back the 10-point deficit to lead at the end of the third quarter. Ultimately, the Jackjumpers’ late offensive onslaught overcame a tired Al Riyadi defence to come out of the game on top.  The Basketball Africa League winners, Petro De Luanda, who lost both of their initial classification games against a confident Unicaja and Al Riyadi Beirut 75-80, managed to claim 5th place after winning a thrilling game against Argentine team Quimsa which ended with a final score of 70-64, overcoming a 13-point deficit.   Final Standings:   1. Unicaja (Spain)  2. NBA G League United (USA  3. Tasmania JackJumpers (Australia)  4. Al Riyadi Beirut (Lebanon)  5. Petro De Luanda (Angola)  6. Quimsa (Argentina)  Apart from the basketball, spectators were also treated to entertainment from various performance artistes and hype men and women who gave out freebies via pressurised shirt cannons. Next year will see the return of the FIBA ICC to Singapore Sports Hub, as part of the three-year contract which began last year. It's been a thrilling past two editions of the tournament, so excitement is sure to build for 2025. #FIBAIntercontinentalCup   #MySgSportsHub #FIBAICC2024

Using the struggles from his first marathon last year as motivation, Samuel Chua hopes to overcome new challenges and achieve his goals at the upcoming Sydney Marathon He's featured at several races already all over Singapore. This year, Samuel Chua is looking for a fresh set of challenges and he's set his eyes on one — the rolling hills of the TCS Sydney Marathon Presented by ASICS . The hybrid athlete known for not only his running but his strength training as well, has been at arms for the past few months preparing for the Sydney Marathon. Though he's been at several half marathons, the 42.195km race in Sydney will be his second ever full marathon. His first full — on paper, anyway — was last year, when Samuel crossed the finish line of the Berlin Marathon. His true first marathon however, which he doesn't count as a serious completion, was actually eight years ago. "I did run a marathon when I was 18-years-old for jokes and had zero training!" he recounted. "So, Sydney Marathon will be my second proper marathon with proper training." Samuel is hoping to improve his marathon timing in the capital of New South Wales after last year's rather disappointing run out in Germany. The 26-year-old had struggled during his preparations back then, and has since used that experience to fuel his marathon training block this time around. Now with four days to go until he toes the start line in Miller Street, the avid runner exudes confidence and positivity. Sportplus.sg caught up with him to find out about his long term goals and journey towards the Sydney Marathon. What are your long-term goals as a marathon runner, and how does the Sydney Marathon fit into that vision? I think the main long term goal I have as a runner is to go under 3 hours for a full marathon. It will probably take a while but I think Sydney will be a good stepping stone because I can see how I have progressed from my marathon last year to this year. I think it will be a significant jump. What new challenges are you embracing as you prepare for the Sydney Marathon 2024? I think there are two main challengers for me. The first challenge is managing my training load between my strength training and my running. I think it’s been a challenge trying to get my legs fresh, keeping my legs while also clocking sufficient mileage for the marathon.  The second is finding hills near where I live because the Sydney Marathon is a very hilly course. It’s difficult to find any sort of elevation near me so I have to make do with the treadmill or any kind of place I have to drive to just to get in my hill work for the marathon. How does your approach to the Sydney Marathon differ from your first overseas marathon experience in the Berlin last year? I think for Berlin last year, it was quite a problem for me as I was ridden with injuries such as shin splints. I couldn't get my weekly mileage up and I suffered a lot. I cramped very early at 26km because I didn't do sufficient long run training and I didn't put in my marathon prep long runs. So this year, my approach is to not only increase my weekly mileage but to also add in a lot of marathon pace intervals during my long runs so I can simulate race day as close as possible. #SydneyMarathon   #MakeSydneyAMajor   #FeelNewSydney   #SGtoSydney

With "Find Your Shadow" as his motto, Muhammad Mulyadi sees no limits and continues to push himself with Sydney Marathon now on the horizon A hustler through and through, Sydney Marathon -bound runner Muhammad Mulyadi juggles not only running and a full-time job, he is also a coach at Elevate Performance Coaching . The 46-year-old known for his speed and endurance, effortlessly maintaining a cool, calm, and collected demeanor when most would already be struggling to catch their breath. You know what makes it better? His hair never goes out of place. Watching Mulyadi run, it's hard to believe he once suffered a broken femur from a severe accident. " When I was 18, I was involved in a road accident and had an intramedullary rod inserted for about one and a half years. Thereafter, I had to live with a bit of limping," he recounted. "Going through that was tough for me but I guess it was a gift. I had nothing else to rely on except for my legs so I guess I just had to keep running. I had to keep myself active and running was what I had. I just continued to move on." How does he juggle it all, and what were his biggest struggles during his marathon training block? Sportplus.sg  caught up with Mulyadi to find out. How do you manage your time between your job, coaching, and training for the Sydney Marathon? It’s all about how you manage the 24 hours you have a day. It can be done by proper planning.  Everyone has the same 24 hours and most of us have full time jobs. I believe it’s all about time management. I have a 9-5 job which sometimes requires some overtime. For Elevate Coaching, we have a roster so we’re always rotating amongst ourselves. For marathon training, there’s a training regime I stick to. It’s not so easy when I’ve got a day-to-day job so I have to move things about sometimes to fit everything in. The important thing is to be flexible because we aren’t full time runners. What's been the biggest challenge in preparing for the Sydney Marathon while maintaining your other commitments? To me, the biggest challenge training for Sydney Marathon is finding time to rest  and recover. This is the most important part of marathon training. If you’re not able to find a good time to rest, your sleep gets affected and that’s when your body starts to ache and you won’t feel physically good. It’ll affect your recovery for your next training run. What are your personal goals for the Sydney Marathon? I’m just trying to do my best. I have a target time which I hope to beat. Of course, all that comes down to how well I plan. What’s most important to me though is enjoying the moment, specifically for this year’s Sydney Marathon. I’m very much looking forward to running with the rest of the Friends of Sydney Marathon especially with the Elevate Performance Coaching family. It’s not just running for yourself, but running together with everyone else. What makes the Sydney Marathon special for you personally? On a personal note, the Sydney Marathon is something I’m looking forward to because of the surroundings, the route and of course, Sydney itself is a great city to run in. I’m looking forward to running somewhere overseas. #SydneyMarathon   #MakeSydneyAMajor   #FeelNewSydney   #SGtoSydney

Proof that age isn't a determining factor, Fong Swee Ling is set to run the Sydney Marathon next week - her first ever full marathon just two months shy of turning 60 Something new runners are often told is that “your first race, won’t be your last.”  59-year-old Fong Swee Ling knows that all too well. After years of running, racing has become the fuel that propels her running journey. Having done numerous half marathons and 5-10km races, she’ll be gunning for her first 42.195km at the Sydney Marathon Presented by ASICS this year, just two months before hitting the big 60. Nicknamed “Race Queen” by her teammates at Team Hustlers and New Balance Run Club (NBRC), Swee Ling is no stranger to overseas races. She's completed eight races so far, but the excitement for her first full marathon in Sydney is unmatched—especially since she won’t be running it alone. “It’s amazing that so many runners from a tiny country like Singapore are supporting the Sydney Marathon. It shows that Singaporeans, young and old, are sporty and not afraid to venture overseas for marathons,” she said of the 411 other Singaporeans set to toe the start line at Miller Street. When it comes to what she looks forward to most at the marathon, Swee Ling shares the same answer with countless others. “Catching the sunrise while running at Sydney Harbour Bridge and the motivating cheers from the spectators that’ll line the streets,” she said, before adding, “and the various deals and discounts on offer around Sydney!” she smiled as she told of her excitement to hit the shops before race day. Born in 1964, Swee Ling proves that age is just a number and that, even after hardship, the stars eventually do align. She joined her first run club, NBRC in 2018 at 54-years-old and saw just how much she improved with the help of NBRC Head Coach Loh Guo Pei and her teammates, some of whom she can now call her best friends.  It all came to a halt in June 2022, when Swee Ling broke her left femur as a result of osteoporosis while she was training for her first overseas half marathon. She was heartbroken upon hearing from her doctors that it would be at least six months until she could resume light training. “Although I was bedridden for three weeks in hospital, I was determined to run again as soon as possible. I started running again after four months of brisk walking and joined Team Hustlers in January 2023 to get customised training from Coach David Shum. Under his guidance and encouragement from my teammates, I completed nine half marathons without injury,” Swee Ling shared. The more she spoke of her journey, the clearer it became that nothing scared the unassuming, distance runner. While many at her age may be deterred by Sydney’s infamous hills, Swee Ling saw it as a way of testing her limits. It was at Sportplus.sg 's first of three Sydney Marathon: Singapore Chapters' partner sharings where Swee Ling learned of the Sydney Marathon route. With ears perked and eyes lit, she locked onto her first ever marathon. “As someone who’s turning 60-years-old and running her first marathon, my goal for the Sydney Marathon is to complete within the time limit without injury, and to enjoy the sights and soak up the atmosphere. Most importantly, I hope to return next year to achieve a new marathon personal best,” she shared. Swee Ling will be amongst thousands of runners eligible for an automatic return next year should the Sydney Marathon successfully become an Abbott World Marathon Major in 2025. “I am happy to be part of the process of Sydney Marathon possibly achieving their goal of becoming a world major next year. I can’t wait for the opportunity to run my first world major and for the above 60 age group category,” she said proudly. Training for her full marathon amidst a full-time job has been nothing short of demanding. With her sights set on conquering New South Wales' capital, she draws inspiration from a race in southern Australia whenever her marathon training gets tough. “At the Melbourne Great Ocean Race in May this year, I saw an elderly couple running under the rain and windy conditions at a constant 7km/min pace for the entire 22.75km without stopping for water intake. It was a hilly route too!” she recollected. “That really inspired me. It’s proof that when there’s a will, there’s a way. I keep reminding myself once my body has rested sufficiently, nothing will stop me from my marathon training.” Months of training has now all come down to next Sunday, when the starters’ gun is due to fire on the morning of 15th September.  Signed up for this year's Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS  ? Singapore based Sydney Marathon participants can enjoy exclusive partner discounts - find out more here . For runners in Sydney, join us at the official Singapore Contingent Sydney Marathon shakeout run led by Fast and Free Run Club on 14th September. More details can be found here . #SydneyMarathon   #MakeSydneyAMajor   #WorldMarathonMajors

149 women test their fitness in sold-out Great 116, fringe event of Great Eastern Women's Run Singapore, 5 September 2024 - 149 ladies exemplified the indomitable spirit of women at Great 116, branded by Great Eastern Singapore as the ultimate fitness test for ladies last weekend. Held at OCBC Square at the Singapore Sports Hub, the event organised by Great Eastern as a fringe event and lead up to the annual Great Eastern Women’s Run on 27 October 2024 saw participants challenging their fitness limits from endurance to agility across five stations: Battle Rope, Bar Hang, Farmer’s Walk, Bar Crossing and Reactive Wall. 39 year-old Cheryl Chan Hui Qin emerged as the overall winner, while Jess Hsien Hui (2nd) and Casey Chin (3rd) rounded up the top three finishers. Cheryl Chan Hui Qin, overall champion of Great 116 said: “This is my first time participating in Great 116, and the win was really unexpected! I just came here to have fun, but I ended up meeting and making new friends too. I really enjoyed today’s atmosphere and community spirit, looking forward to future events!” Justine Mok (27, sister of Cherie Mok) said: “I signed up for Great 116 with my sister as part of the Great Eastern Women’s Run. We approached it as a fun challenge and opportunity to test ourselves. I found the experience very interesting – each station tested different aspects of our fitness, not just strength but also agility, highlighting the importance of being well-rounded. I enjoyed seeing everyone coming together, with ladies cheering each other on and making new friends, bringing people together ahead of the race." Cherie Mok (23, sister of Justine Mok) added: “I enjoyed trying the different stations with my sister, it was a new experience we haven’t had before and I tried activities I normally wouldn’t in my daily life. To the runners of the upcoming Great Eastern Women’s Run – do your best and live in the moment!” Siti Sharifah bte Osman (49) said: “This is my second time participating in the Great Eastern Women’s Run, and my first experience with Great 116. It was an opportunity for me to challenge my endurance and strength, and to see how I measure up against other incredible women, regardless of age. You really don’t know what you’re capable of until you try, so it’s all about defining your own success." Olivia Powell (27) shared: “The Great Eastern Women’s Run is my first time participating in any fitness or running event. I joined Great 116 because I wanted to meet and connect with like-minded females before the actual race, which I managed to do so! It was a great learning experience for me, and I’m now more motivated to continue working out.” Christine Koh (55) said: “I learnt more about myself through Great 116. Although it was challenging, I had a lot of fun and pinpointed areas where I can improve. Some of the ladies made the stations look so easy! It was wonderful to learn more about the beneficiaries and partners involved in the event too.” #GEWR2024

Shin splints are one of the more common and persistent forms of injuries an athlete, especially runners, can face. Delve into the injury with orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Bryan Wang Often beginning as a niggle, shin splints can worsen with time and become a nagging injury when full blown. It requires adequate rest which – understandably for those who love to keep active – can sometimes be tough. Various forms of physical therapy and alternative activities are often prescribed and recommended for those nursing shin splints.  Speaking to Dr Bryan Wang, an orthopedic surgeon at Beacon Orthopaedics , SportPlus.sg attempts to dissect the correlation between knee injuries and shin splints, and how to ensure one gets back to full fitness in good time. Do calf sleeves work for shin splints during rehab? While calf sleeves can sometimes reduce the pain that comes with shin splints, it does not effectively treat the injury, with the main underlying cause of shin splints being inadequate rest. Dr Wang often recommends taking it easy and abstaining from sports that focus on the lower extremities as a better option to calf sleeves.   “I don't think calf sleeves really help as I think the main underlying cause of shin splints is that the bone doesn't really have a chance to recover,” shared Dr Wang. “Something we encourage is to slowly resume running after two weeks of complete rest. This will assess if you’re ready to go back to your usual training as one should be pain free for two weeks before returning to the program.” As a runner and swimming enthusiast himself, Dr Wang is able to understand the difficulties of adhering to the downtime needed during recovery periods, especially for anyone who views an active lifestyle as a gateway to a healthy mind. “During this period of downtime, anyone can still do some activities to maintain your cardiovascular fitness. However, you will really want to reduce loading on the lower limb,” advised Dr Wang. Some good activities to consider are aqua therapy, cross-training exercises, swimming and cycling. There are even several options when it comes to getting on the bike such as road cycling, stationary bikes and even spin cycling.  So fret not as there are many productive ways of spending your recovery time. As long as you focus on your upper body and allow your lower limbs to rest, you will be back to running in no time! If I don’t rest, can I aggravate my shin splints? “Shin splints and knee pain can occur in isolation from one another. Medically, shin splints are what we would call a medial tibial stress injury. They occur when there is repetitive microtrauma to the shin bone or the tibia and it doesn't really have a chance to recover,” shared Dr Wang. “However, if you partake in excessive training or an increased load on the legs, it can also result in the same issues of knee pain that can occur due to overtraining. ” The shin splints, which is an inflammation of the outer lining of lower leg bone, will hurt for at least three to seven days due to the inflammatory process. After which, it will take around three to four weeks for the tissue to heal. “The early stage of shin splints can occur when you might first notice a little bit of pain over the middle part of the shin bone,” explained Dr Wang. “As the pain gets more persistent and the shin splints become more severe, some patients may even complain of pain very early into the physical activity. Without intervention, pain can even occur even at rest, which is usually an indication that the shin splint is progressing in terms of severity.” How do I make sure it does not affect my knees? “In patients with aggravated shin splints, they can experience some tenderness over the middle part of the tibia. Sometimes, they will feel some localized pain over the patella tendon,” observed Dr Wang.   It is often recommended by Dr Wang for those suffering from shin splints to either cease physical activities completely or bring intensity levels down for a week. Should the pain still persist, extending this by another week is the best course of action before attempting to resume your training programme. “There are several factors that can help you decide whether or not it's necessary to see a doctor or specialist. Firstly, if the pain persists despite a prolonged period of rest. Secondly, if the pain returns each time you return to training and lastly, if there is pain even at rest. These are signs that could signal something more serious,” advised Dr Wang. Dr Bryan Wang is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon, with an interest in Shoulder, Elbow, Knee and Sports injuries. He has more than 18-years of experience in the management of general orthopaedic conditions, including musculoskeletal injuries and fractures of the upper and lower limbs. With his extensive years of experience, Dr Bryan has seen countless injuries as a result of putting a strain on the human body. For priority Consultations, preferential consultation rates for SportsPlus readers, visit: https://www.beaconortho.com.sg/

Singapore's most decorated distance runner shares about the inspiration behind RunSohFast Academy, and how his wife got motivated to pick up running Following a recent visit back to Singapore, Soh Rui Yong dropped by SportPlus Studios for a chat with the team. Beyond discussing the complexities of ‘Runfluencers’, and the absurdity of Strava Jockeys, the Singapore six-time national record holder also shared about his life outside of training for races. Missed out on our 'Runfluencers and Strava Jockeys' podcast episode? You can find out more here . Rui Yong recently marked two major milestones, getting a degree — in law, no less — and getting hitched. The back-to-back SEA Games marathon gold medalist found forever while in London, where he was studying at the University College London. His now wife, Nantacha, had been in the English capital for a seven week English course. “It was very serendipitous. We started out as friends because we were going to be in and out of London within a couple of weeks,” shared Rui Yong. “I got to know her, hung out with her maybe once or twice a week. We then met more often and eventually when she left, there were still no guarantees if she would ever come back but we did keep in touch. A few months later, she asked if I was seeing anyone and my answer was no,” he laughed before adding, “She was thinking of coming back to visit so when she did, that was when we started dating properly. That was all a little over two years ago.” The pair wed in September last year and in July, began the famed Road to Chanel. Yes, the luxury fashion brand. It all started when the 33-year-old was invited to the Gold Coast Marathon 2024 as an elite athlete, which meant that Nantacha was given all-access VIP treatment. The duo were put up in a hotel room overlooking the coast, and while Rui Yong ran along the scenic Australian town, his wife was in the VIP tent watching her husband the entire way. “Imagine this, she’d never been to a marathon before in her life. She’s not sporty at all and spends more time in the mall than the track. She was in the VIP tents and the eventual race winner, Yuki Nakamura, her agent, took care of my wife,” he said. “She had people coming up to her in the tent asking if she was an agent too and who her athlete was and she was like, ‘No, that’s just my husband running!’ The beautiful thing is that after two hours, she came out and stood at the finish line for 27 minutes until I came across the line. I was so tired and the first person I saw was her.” As she watched Rui Yong cross the finish line, a fire was ignited. “She became very inspired to run. For her, she needed an external motivating factor. She asked if I’d buy her a Chanel bag if she ran a 5km race but I said that’s way too easy, half marathon. We eventually negotiated down to a 10km race on a certified course and she has to run the whole thing without stopping,” explained the runner. With the race still undecided, we wait in anticipation for Nantacha to cross that finish line soon. To read up more about the Gold Coast Marathon, you can visit SportPlus' Gold Coast Marathon page here to relive our experiences in 2023. About RunSohFast Academy Besides getting hitched, Rui Yong also decided to embark on a new business endeavour at the end of 2023, setting up the RunSohFast Academy . The thoughts of setting up something he can call his own took years in the making though, and didn't just happen right there and then. "When I first entertained the thought, I spoke to some people about it, one of them was Ben Pulham from Coached Fitness whom I highly respect as a coach. Ben actually has an undefeated record against me actually. We've only raced once in the 2010 Army Half-Marathon and he retired after," shared Rui Yong with a laugh. "He was actually discouraging me from doing it while I am still an athlete as my schedule would be all about running - managing my own trainings and then coaching other people in person, which at that point of time I probably would have done, and it didn't make sense as my working hours would be at a time where I was supposed to be training." "So those plans were shelved back then and I took up a gig with The Smart Local before I went to study in the UK. But this thought and questions kept coming up over the years, whether it was over Instagram or in person - I found myself spending a decent amount of time answering these questions anyway." "So last year I came back and did the Singapore Marathon, was lucky enough to win the National Championships for a fourth time, and at some point in time something just clicked - I had a small break from running anyway, I was going back to the UK anyway - a bit jetlagged, so I was awake at 3am in the morning," he said wryly. "I don't know about you but my mind comes up with the most interesting ideas when it's dark and when there is no one around to talk to me. So I remembered saying to myself, 'maybe I should try this.'" Little did he expect the overwhelming response he would get when he took the leap of faith to set up RunSohFast Academy . "I wasn't expecting the response I would get because I put it (the announcement of RunSohFast Academy) up, and maybe in the next two days I had like a hundred emails. Then I realised I wasn't sure if I would be able to handle it, I started thinking who can actually help me with the workload etc. but at the same time so much was in its infancy that I was just doing everything myself." While he is satisfied with how RunSohFast Academy is doing, Rui Yong is not resting on his laurels and is currently planning to further his studies in business to improve his own business knowledge in order to stay relevant and keep up to date with the times of today's ever changing world. If you are an intermediate to advanced runner looking to chase a personal best or improve your running, you can hit up Rui Yong and RunSohFast academy here . #SohRuiYong #RunSohFast #RunSohFastAcademy

For almost every avid runner, an opportunity to live and train amongst some of the best runners in the world likely ranks high amongst their wildest fantasies We may never be able to immerse ourselves like how great storytellers and students of the sport like Adharanand Finn, author of Running with the Kenyans, have, but we can weave an audio-visual narrative with long-form writing to bring a week-long dive into Ethiopian running culture and a new brand that’s laying its foundations to become an important player in the sport’s global eco-system. In early September 2024, Singaporean marathoner Desmond Ang Xinyao (@unbelievaboy) was given the opportunity by ANTA Singapore to travel to Ethiopia with Chinese and regional media for Challenge Highland - to participate and study up close how elite runners train in a week-long running camp. As part of an ongoing series, SportPlus.sg is pleased to carry Desmond's stories from Ethiopia, from behind-the-scenes of life in a running camp, to an exclusive interview with Kenenisa Bekele , ANTA ambassador and Ethipian long-distance runner and Paris 2024 Olympian. About the ANTA Challenge Highland Program On October 13th, 2023, ANTA, the leading Chinese sports brand, announced its new ANTA RUNNING Brand Ambassador - Kenenisa Bekele, and partnership with Kenenisa Resort and Sports Centre, a high-altitude pro runner training base founded by Bekele. Jointly launched the "Challenge Highland Program". From July to September 2024, ANTA officially kicks off the Challenge Highland Program by taking the Tibet running team, now sponsored by ANTA, to Ethiopia, while recruiting runners from all over the world to experience training amongst the best in the sport. With this, ANTA and Bekele will provide elite athletes with better training opportunities to help more runners break PBs and take Asia’s long-distance running to new heights. In addition, during the Challenge Highland Program, Ethiopian ambassadors to China will visit ANTA’s office, while Chinese ambassadors will visit Kenenisa Resort and Sports Center with ANTA’s global manager to build common ideals rooted in sportsmanship and running culture. During this period of time ANTA will invite local and international media to experience and help showcase this project. Watch this space for more content from Desmond's trip coming soon. #ANTA #ChallengeHighland