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Singapore 25 year-old distance runner betters previous 2022 outing to clinch top spot in Great Eastern Women's Run 2023 Singapore, 30 October 2023 - Singapore distance runner Vanessa Lee came in first in the 2023 edition of Great Eastern Women's Run's by-invite-only elite category half-marathon with a time of 1:22:51, surpassing her previous record by almost 3 minutes. It was a familiar look to the elites' podium, with Jasmine Teo and Rachel See clinching the other two spots. Rachel See had previously won the last two editions of Singapore's only mass participation all-women running event, finishing with a time of 1:22:07 last year. Making only her second appearance in the event, Lee said it was a pleasant surprise that she managed to clinch top spot this year, particularly with very strong competitors as front runners this year. "Rachel and Jasmine are really strong runners, I mean Rachel just did a 2:50 marathon recently which is crazy, and Jasmine and I were neck and neck for most of the race up to about 20km. It definitely will be a good fight to the finish next year as well," said Lee. When asked what kind of expectations she brought into Great Eastern Women's Run this year, Lee said she was managing her expectations having lost to her two rivals in 2022. "I didnt expect much actually, I had to mentally prepare myself to lose to two others that I lost the previous year, in a sense manage my expectations," she said. "Other than that I actually didn’t think much before the race because I had to get up at 2 a.m. so my brain was not fully functioning at that time." Sharing that she believes many women in Singapore look forward to this annual run, Lee said she hopes it will be a platform for many to keep a healthy lifestyle. "This event has become a safe space for women to come together and encourage one another to have fun during the run, I believe that many women look forward to this annual event and they would train in order to better their timings or just to keep fit so that they’ll be able to attend the event with their friends." With the Great Eastern Women's Run now done and dusted, Lee is looking forward to three more races this year and will be ending her season with the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon's 21.1km Half-marathon national championships. She shares: "I was really privileged to take part in many overseas races this year: debut in my first SEA Games and compete in my first World Championships event as well. It was definitely an amazing experience to toe the line with world record holders and live in the same space as them for a few days. I was humbled and at the same time amazed." #Running #GEWR2023

From the fashionable runner to the watch addict runner, try and spot yourself or your runner friends who fall into these ten categories Image via Orange Room You don't need to be a regular runner to spot these funny and interesting runner types and characters! While running is officially the most popular individual sport in Singapore that has only continued to grow exponentially over the past 18 months due to COVID-19, have you paid attention to what kind of runners there are? Fun Fact The National Sports Participation Survey (NSPS) conducted by Sport Singapore showed running as the most popular individual sport, eclipsing even that of most popular team sport (football). We profiled 10 types of runners, as acted out by host Cheryl Tay (@cheryltaysg) and sports presenter John Yeong (@thejohnyeong). How many of these can you relate to? Or are some of your friends like that too? Image via Orange Room 1. The Serious Runner This runner takes everything super seriously. There is no margin for error, and no time for laughs for the super serious runner. Discipline is key, and as for routines, everything is like clockwork. In fact, you may just spot this runner bringing out a foam roller for a run, because it isn't enough that they are serious. The world needs to know they are serious about running. 2. The Watch Addict It's one thing to track your runs and to use it as a gauge to improve your performance over your running journey. It's another thing altogether to live your life by the millisecond of every watch you wear. This type of runner probably owns more than one sports watch as well. Image via Orange Room 3. The Over-Enthusiastic Runner Maybe you're not a morning person. Or maybe you are not an evening person. If that's the case you definitely aren't a runner in this category because this runner is super enthusiastic and extra motivated just about every little detail. The over-enthusiastic runner is extra hyped, and can sometimes be seen encouraging random runners along a running route - strangers who most likely don't even know her. Image via Orange Room 4. The Insta-Runner Most of us are guilty of doing things for the gram. But what about runners? Have you seen runners who are content creators who have the need to document their entire running journey for social media? We know of at least one insta-runner here who is guilty of this, and he is not the least embarassed about it. 5. The Scared-Of-Sun Runner Why run if you are scared of the sun? That's a good question we wish to ask this scared-of-sun runner. While it is important to have a skin care routine that protects you from sun exposure, you may have spotted some runners who have taken this to the extreme by wearing long sleeves and caps all in the name of protecting their skin. Image via Orange Room 6. The Shirtless Runner Every running group has a runner who finds every opportunity to strip and let the world know they have a "good" body. Mind you, not every one of these shirtless runners necessarily have a good physique, but that doesn't stop them from showing the world what their birthday suit means to them. 7. The Full-Of-Excuses Runner We all have that one friend who says they will workout tomorrow or run tomorrow. This category is dedicated to that full-of-excuses runner who was supposed to have run yesterday and today, but was unable to because of weather conditions, skin rashes, the dog eating their homework and their mothers calling them at the last minute to do household chores. Image via Orange Room 8. The Egoistic Runner Ever ran with someone you may or may not know along the same route, but who just can't seem to let you be faster than them? Yes, we all know of someone or have shared an experience with these cannot-lose kiasu egoistic runners. 9. The Fashionable Runner Running is no longer about performance these days, neither is it just about keeping fit. For many, it is an extra reason to look fashionable. From sunglasses to sports bras, running tops, running shoes and leggings, the fashionable runner is known more for what he or she wears than for running itself. Image via Orange Room 10. The Clingy Runner When a running companion feels more like that stalker in school you never asked for. Never mind that you agreed to go for a run with this clingy runner friend, you cannot have a moment's peace or even head to the toilet without them wanting to tag along. Orange Room Giveaway [$50 CASH GIVEAWAY] Orange Room is giving away $50 cash to one lucky winner, as their way of supporting your fitness journey. All your names will also go into the grand draw of $1,000 cash at their year end celebration! All you have to do is follow @orange_room_asia on Instagram, make sure your account is public, tag 2 friends in the comments below, subscribe to the Orange Room Official YouTube channel and DM them the answers to these questions: 1) How many brands of sunblock did The Scared-Of-Sun Runner have? 2) How many pairs of sunglasses did The Fashionable Runner have? Submit your entry before 10 October, Sunday, 2359 hours and they will select a winner after! The Better Show is a series brought to you by Orange Room and hosted by Cheryl Tay to help enrich your active lifestyle and empower you with the right skills to help you in your cycling, running and swimming. #SportPlusSG #OrangeRoom #TypesOfRunners

Singapore Silat athlete Nurul Suhaila and Sports Presenter John Yeong discuss the issue of mental health among elite athletes amidst high profile incidents in the International arena PHOTO: BEYOND THE LABEL 21 September 2021, Singapore - In a year that has seen the spotlight cast on the mental health of elite athletes, we take a look at some of the more pertinent issues that are pervasive for the modern athlete. While Naomi Osaka's withdrawal from the French Open and Simone Biles ' refusal to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are high profile cases, much closer to home, Team Singapore's athletes have had to deal with intense scrutiny when they fail to meet expectations on the field of play. In an organised panel dialogue session by Beyond the Label over the weekend, Team Singapore athlete and Silat World champion Nurul Suhaila , together with sports presenter and host John Yeong shared an open conversation with the community on how the pressures of modern sport play out a different dynamic for elite athletes, even as studies show that sport can bring many benefits for the average person's mental health. PHOTO: BEYOND THE LABEL From keyboard warriors who have attacked Singapore's athletes in football, to the media outcry on Joseph Schooling's performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics among others, many appear to have forgotten that athletes are fundamentally human at the end of the day. And behind the anonymity of screens, empathy has been found to be sorely missing. Here is an abstract of the "Workout Your Body and Mind" segment interview from Beyond The Label Fest 2021 . To watch the full interview and workout led by Nurul Suhaila and John Yeong , visit Beyond The Label's Facebook or YouTube . And sign up for other sessions and activities on Beyond The Label's website . PHOTO: BEYOND THE LABEL John : It's almost as if I have to be a certain way, or achieve a certain objective, or win a certain competition, otherwise I am not as good as my teammates, not as good as my sister or brother. And these need to be put out there a lot more to have these open conversations, and I think it's great that you are stepping up, and we are having this open conversations so that aspiring athletes and people out there realise they are not alone. Studies have shown in 2016 that 1 in 7 Singaporeans have encountered mental health conditions over the course of their lifetimes. On Keyboard warriors' nasty comments on athletes: Suhaila : Firstly you already have pressure on yourself to win, from your coaches and family, and now your life is open up to the public to judge. This is what most athletes feel. When you are doing well, everyone is like "I've always thought you had it in you" and they'll show you support and encouragement, but then you lose a game and everyone has something to say about it. PHOTO: BEYOND THE LABEL I guess what people forget is that we are human, we are real people with feelings. On the internet, it's just a screen so they are more brave to say whatever they want. Forgetting that we (athletes) are reading it and taking it into consideration. If I'm having a bad day, and then I just come online and then here you are telling me "you suck". Athletes need a lot of support and encouragement, especially online. Even if they come back with results that people don't expect, or they expect you to win a gold and you come back with a bronze. #SportPlusSG #SportsAndMentalHealth #BeyondTheLabel #NurulSuhaila #JohnYeong

Late developer Nadhra Aqilah hopes the quality of women's football in Singapore continues to progress, and shares how she overcame trying times on the sidelines to make an impactful return to the Women's Premier League at the end of 2023 Sport develops a foundation of discipline, grit and lifestyle. For Nadhra Aqilah, having this foundation to fall back on gave her room to make a big switch from being a competitive golfer for 8 years to taking up football at 24, and then even being selected for the national team. Nadhra made the switch in search of a new challenge after graduating from University. She watched a lot of football growing up and had always wanted to play the game. “After my golfing days were done, I started to coach football to young toddlers and kids. Somehow, I ended up going for a trial for a football club at the end of 2017 and the rest was just a beautiful beginning.” Within a few months of playing for her first club, Tanjong Pagar United FC, Nadhra found herself being approached by the coach of the Women’s National Team after a pre-season friendly match. “In the game, I had a moment when I managed to put the ball in the net. After the game, the coach approached me to come down for national training. I was shocked, having only played the game for a few months. I told the coach that I was very new at this, but he still gave me the chance to train with the team and to build up my skills and technique. I am still very grateful that he saw something in me,” she recalled. Nadhra, together with her team went on to win the Women’s National League as well as the Challenge Cup in her first competitive year of football. Taking up the sport at a later age at one of the highest competitive levels in Singapore was not without its challenges. While most girls already had the foundational skills of football from playing the sport since school, Nadhra often felt left behind. “They got to experience competitions, growing their confidence, playing with friends and meeting coaches, so I lacked everything. I had to catch up on all the years in a short period of time, but that did not stop me from trying,” she said. For any athlete, the greatest defeat and test comes with injury. Nadhra experienced two major injuries to her ACL and meniscus that would require two surgeries and see her out of action for an extended period of time. During injury, athletes are forced to slow down, change routines, adjust goals, and sometimes hit the pause button on sporting dreams. This can be a lot to go through for anyone. For someone who has not been through something like this, it may be hard to fully comprehend. Nadhra opened up about what it was like for her during that difficult period. “As a very active footballer playing for my club and country, the abrupt change of lifestyle and environment was something that was very difficult to accept. The first two weeks after my first surgery was torturous and looking at my teammates from afar, I did question myself on many things.” “How did I cope?” “I didn’t. I just had to force myself to accept that tough times were planned for me and I just lived with it.” “There were many instances where I just wanted to live a different lifestyle, one without football. The feeling of giving up comes and goes, and it really depends on what challenges you face at that moment, because everyday it will be something new. I was undergoing rehabilitation for my injury at FAS with the best and most trusted physiotherapist I knew and she really took care of me.” “There were a few other players who suffered the same injury and were also undergoing rehabilitation. Throughout the process and journey, it was tough not to compare progress, which I did, and that made me realise that there was something very wrong in my recovery.” “Something that worked for me was staying in the moment and focusing on small wins no matter how small. A win is still a win. Surrounding yourself with positive people and an environment truly helps a lot. Even though your path might be different from others, it doesn’t mean you won’t get there. Find something that works for you and only you.” “Also, to always be grateful for what you already have. This is one of the biggest lessons I learned throughout this difficult and long journey of mine.” After four months of rehabilitation, Nadhra was told that she had to go for a second surgery. This surgery helped the pain in her knee and after many tests, continuous rehabilitation and transitioning back to training, she regained her form. Nadhra hopes that the standard and quality of women’s football in Singapore will continue to progress. She believes that with many young talents and experienced players in Singapore, that the future is bright for the sport. Currently playing with her club Albirex Niigata FC (S), you can show Nadhra your support when the Deloitte Women’s Premier League kicks off for the 2024 season. #SgFootball #WomensFootball

Singapore's sporting playground will remain open through the festive period, with sporting activities and exclusive Chinese New Year promotions all available under one roof PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB 26 January 2022, Singapore - From the annual HUAT Run to exclusive promotions at Kallang Wave Mall, welcome the Year of the Tiger with an exciting line-up of auspicious activities at #MySgSportsHub . Whether you are looking to run, swim, row or shop your way into the year of the tiger, Singapore Sports Hub has a range of fun activities you can dig your claws into. You can even watch the National Stadium roar to life in a dazzling festive light display of auspicious red and gold. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB Get a Running Start with Singapore Sports Hub’s Annual Huat Run Huat better way to celebrate Chinese New Year than with Singapore Sports Hub's annual HUAT Run? Back for its second edition from 1-15 February, head down to the 100PLUS Promenade and run on the 888-metre red ‘prosperity’ track. Next, snap a photo with the HUAT standee and stand a chance to win $468, $268 or $168 worth of vouchers! The Singapore Sports Hub is looking for the 3 most creative entries. You can be one of the lucky winners simply by posting on Instagram, tagging @sgsportshub and @100plus_singapore, and hashtagging #MySgSportsHub. Be sure to make your profile public in order to be eligible. More details are available here. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB Paddling Tiger, Rowing Dragon Paddle into the Year of the Tiger with an exciting Dragon Boat challenge! Whether you’re a veteran or novice paddler, head to the Water Sports Centre with four friends for the ultimate battle of strength and stamina. For more details, visit here. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB Exclusive Chinese New Year Promotions To help you manage the hustle and bustle of Chinese New Year preparations, the Sports Hub has got everything under one roof at Kallang Wave Mall! From stocking up your groceries for reunion dinner, or getting some new outfits for the family, or even indulging in a bit of new year self-care at the spa, there's plenty for some tiger-ific celebrations. As a plus, you can even look forward to extra goodies when you spend at Kallang Wave Mall. Spend a minimum of $48* to redeem an exclusive set of Kallang Wave Mall red packets, and a minimum of $168* ($188 for FairPrice Xtra receipts) to redeem a limited edition Tayo The Little Bus umbrella and a $10 Kallang Wave Mall voucher. Terms and conditions apply. Find out more here. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB National Stadium Dresses-up in Auspicious Red and Brilliant Gold Dressing up in something new to welcome the Lunar New Year? So is the National Stadium! This Chinese New Year, our National Stadium will be fully dressed in auspicious red and brilliant gold lights as a shining symbol of prosperity. Catch the special display on 1 February, from 8-9pm. Singapore Sports Hub facilities are open throughout Chinese New Year. #SportPlusSG #MySgSportsHub #LunarNewYear #Sports #Fitness #ThingsToDo

Celebrate with Singapore Sports Hub at its first Stadium Waterfront Carnival, with sumptuous Asian fare, LED lion & dragon dance performances and return of the annual Huat Run PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB Singapore, 13 January 2022 - Singapore Sports Hub is pushing forth on providing greater access for all to live sporting, entertainment and community activities with its very first Stadium Waterfront Carnival. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB Come celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with us at our live events perfect for all ages, such as our annual #HUATRUN, energising Prosperity Race and innovative spins on traditional performances across two fun-filled weekends! PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB Tuck into Sumptuous Asian Fare and Uniquely Singapore Sports Hub Cocktails Food is central in every celebration and especially festive occasions such as Chinese New Year. From treasured gatherings, reunion dinners to munching on decadent goodies and snacks during family visits. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB This year, you can carry on feasting at our very own Asian Food Street where it’s choices galore! Look out for sushi aburi, an open flame sushi with your choice of topping, espuma durian chendol which is a spin on traditional chendol, as well as a plant-based Guac Stack Burger and all-time indulgent favourites like laksa, roti john and satay. We've designed this with the whole family in mind, and for parents coming with little ones, don’t miss the meatballs in a bucket – meatballs served with mash and twister fries, and topped with house gravy, cheese and cranberry jam. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB The adults, on the other hand, can savour uniquely Singaporean cocktail and mocktail concoctions, featuring local flavours we grew up with and hold close to our heart. And for the first time ever, we will be revealing Stadium Top, a special-edition cocktail designed just for Singapore Sports Hub and served only at our food fest! Incorporating Bohemian Lager from Singapore’s very own Archipelago Brewery, it is flavoured with local and tropical ingredients lemongrass, and lychee. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB Consider it a Singaporean version of a shandy, fit for our sunny island’s climate! The little ones or teetotallers can look forward to Stadium Top Down, a non-alcoholic version with club soda that is just as refreshing! Health is Wealth: #HUATRUN is Back! If you’re looking for something fun to do, or want to sweat off some of your Chinese New Year “gains”, there’s no better way to usher in the new year than a healthy start! From 22 Jan to 5 Feb, our annual #HUATRUN makes a return. Participate in an auspicious run on our instagrammable 888-metre red track at the 100PLUS Promenade and snap a photo at the booths along the route. Post it, tag our socials and follow us on Instagram and Facebook. The participant with the post that has the most “likes” stands to win a pair of tickets to a concert or event of their choice. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB Alternatively, if you are game for an adventure, make a date with us on 5 February. Pair up with friends or loved ones and challenge yourself to our Prosperity Race! After putting on your thinking caps to solve missions at selected landmarks, participants can also look forward to rewards for completing the race. Be sure to make your way down and welcome the new year with a big bang! For those who prefer a slightly more relaxing way of celebrations, grab a bite and a drink, and stroll along the Stadium Waterfront to catch live performances including Singapore Sports Hub’s first-ever LED Lion and Dragon Dance performance. #SportPlusSG #MySgSportsHub #ChineseNewYear #ThingsToDo

Team Singapore put on brave fight as Sweden are crowned Women's World Floorball Champions This is a feature article written by SportPlus.sg for Kallang Alive Sports Management. For more sports events, programmes and human stories of Singapore Sports Hub, visit the Singapore Sports Hub website here, and subscribe to their e-Newsletter here. Almost two decades after Singapore first played host to the event, the world’s best floorballers returned to battle it out for the Women’s World Floorball Championships (WFC) title. Off the back of a thrilling 12 months and the celebration of its first anniversary under the new Kallang Alive Sports Management, the Singapore Sports Hub welcomed another world-class event. Flexing its versatility, the OCBC Arena and Singapore Indoor Stadium set the stage for the top 16 female floorball national teams to vie for the sport’s biggest prize. Local floorball enthusiasts had the opportunity to watch the very best in action up close as they witnessed the intensity of the top-ranked teams competing live in front of them. Round-up of WFC Action The biennial tournament’s group stage was contested between 16 countries divided into four groups. The top two teams of Groups A and B earned automatic placements in the quarterfinals, while the remaining teams played for their place in the knockout stages through a series of playoffs. Sweden, who led the world ranking, earned an automatic spot in the quarterfinals after dominating Group B. Similar to the Swedes, though not as merciless was the Czech Republic, who racked up their goals, scoring nine in each of their two wins. In Group A, Finland emerged as the first to qualify for the quarterfinals as they won all three of their group stage games while the Swiss, resilient and relentless, secured their quarter-final spot after hard-fought victories against Latvia and Norway. Not all roads to the quarterfinals were paved with certainty as the teams in Group C and D put up a slew of thrilling matches for a spot in the final eight. In Group D, Japan finished top by the slimmest of margins with five points, leaving Denmark in second place with their hopes in the hands of the Estonians. It boiled down to the last day of the group stage games when the Japanese overcame Estonia to secure the top spot. The match was a tight one, with Japan having to come back thrice to ensure a 3-3 draw. Despite finishing top in both their groups, Japan and Germany failed to progress to the quarterfinals as they lost to Latvia and Poland respectively in the playoffs. Denmark, the 10th ranked team defied the odds in an epic showdown against Norway as the two fought for a spot in the quarterfinals. Ranked three rungs higher, Norway were favourites but Denmark did not go down without a fight as they levelled the scores three times. It was Lina Voldby whose golden goal in overtime put Denmark through to the quarterfinals eventually. All four quarterfinal matches were relatively one-sided as the lower ranked teams were no match for their powerhouse opponents. Eventual finalists Finland defeated Poland 11-2 while the Swedes beat Latvia 13-3. Denmark may have miraculously made it to the quarters, but their run ended in the hands of the Czech Republic. Switzerland downed Slovakia 8-4. In the first semi-final, Finland thrashed the Czech Republic 8-2 as Veera Kaupi, one of a pair of twins, electrified the Singapore Indoor Stadium by scoring four goals. Favourites, Sweden were victorious against Switzerland in the second semi-final of the day. With Sweden set to face Finland, all that was left was a fight for third place honours. The battle between the Czech Republic and Switzerland for third place kept the crowd on the edge of their seats as they watched the Czechs come from two goals behind to eventually win it 4-5. While the Swedes started in merciless fashion, the final was not a close affair. In the first period, Sweden put six past goalie Noora Vuorela with a commanding lead. There was a shift in the tide however, when Finland started clawing their way back. Sara Piispa got the ball rolling as she scored in the second period as Finland then went on to score three goals in the third period. The Finnish fans waved their flags as chants of “Suomig” rang around the stadium. Sweden, however, were not to be undone, and proved they were number one in the world for a reason. Hope turned to despair for the Finnish players as Sweden held onto their lead and won 6-4. Team Singapore’s Brave Battle As the world giants clashed, Team Singapore etched their own narrative on the global stage. With two wins and two defeats, they matched their best-ever finish, securing the twelfth place. The hosts got their campaign off to a strong start in Group C, downing France 5-2 and Australia 4-2 in front of their fans, friends and family at the OCBC Arena. The Singaporeans put up a good fight against the Germans who sat three rungs higher in the world rankings. It was an end-to-end match that ended 3-2 to the Germans, as Jerelee Ong put Singapore in the lead after starting the third period all square at 1-1. The lead only held for about 20 seconds when Pauline Baumgerten equalised and teammate, Winona Jurgens delivered the final blow with six minutes to go. The loss meant that Singapore finished second in Group C. Team Singapore’s chances of progressing to the quarterfinals were bleak as they were drawn against world number six, Slovakia. Siti Nurhaliza Khairul Anuar took the lead in the 10th minute before it came crashing down for the home side. The Slovaks put 11 past the Singaporeans with Mindy Lim being the other goalscorer for Singapore. With that, Singapore was left to fight for a 9th-12th finish. After losing to Japan by a single goal, they then had to face Norway for an 11th place finish. Despite the roar of the fans in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the hosts were no match for the Norwegians as they fell 13-1 in their final match of the tournament. With the 12th place finish, Singapore has now climbed one spot higher in the world rankings. The game also marked the retirement of Singapore’s Amanda Yeap and Yee Yun Shawn. Before the tournament, the two teammates carried over 100 caps combined, with Amanda having 61 and Shawn gathering 44. Beyond the Courts Off the court, the WFC brought plenty of cheer and excitement for the fans. Not even the bleak weather could dampen their spirits or stop fans from flocking to the Singapore Sports Hub to cheer on their favourite teams and players. The popularity of floorball in Singapore was underscored by its participation, as the sport boasts over 100 clubs and 200 schools providing opportunities for over 10,000 active players today. Fans, friends and families of Team Singapore capitalised on the opportunity to support their loved ones in a prestigious international tournament on home soil, huddling in the OCBC Arena and Singapore Indoor Stadium – trying out the fringe activities and promotional booths including Unihoc products, while the WFC merchandise booth also proved a firm fan favourite as t-shirts and bottles were snapped up quickly. As the thrills of the WFC are still ringing with Sweden crowned as World Champions once again, top class international sporting action continues as the Singapore Sports Hub hosts top rhythmic gymnasts from over 14 countries from 20th to 22nd December for the Bianka Panova International Cup at the OCBC Arena. #SportPlusSG#Floorball#WomensWorldFloorballChampionships

"Comfort" and "Support" are key considerations behind the redesign of the SUPERNOVA franchise, while material innovations and lessons learnt from developing Lightstrike Pro served as main inspirations behind new Superfoam In an exclusive interview with SportPlus.sg, JT Newcomb, Category Director, adidas Running Footwear, shared that the design and development of the new adidas SUPERNOVA silhouettes and category of shoes were motivated by the findings in a survey with 1,300 women who shared that "comfort" and "support" were what they needed most in a daily trainer. Sharing that the brand has recognised its need to re-establish the strong relationship they had with runners from the advent of SUPERNOVA in 1997, when the franchise was a go-to daily trainer for runners, Newcomb added that the adidas SUPERNOVA family of shoes is created with the everyday runner in mind. He said, "We are building the SUPERNOVA shoes first and foremost for normal runners - everyday runners. I would like to think of more the runners who are in the middle to the back of the pack, who see running as part of their lifestyle but are not obsessed with running. They know that you don't need the fastest equipment all of the time." "We knew we wanted to build something that's very different from anything that's been in the range before, certainly very different from the last couple of shoes that have been part of the adidas SUPERNOVA family - so RISE is a completely different model," he added. "SUPERNOVA RISE is the beginning of a new chapter, a new family of SUPERNOVA shoes. And in February when we release SUPERNOVA SOLUTION and SUPERNOVA STRIDE you will start to see that family built out, kind of like how adizero comes together as a family with specific models," Newcomb explained So what helped with the redesign of the SUPERNOVA series and how similar is it to the adidas ADIZERO family? This was the question SportPlus.sg asked adidas. The answer? The foam used in SUPERNOVA is an evolution from the Lightstrike Pro, which is found in the ADIZERO family of shoes. "RISE is something that is totally new - what's new about it is that we saw an opportunity to pull in the technology of superfoams into everyday running - building on the material innovations, the lessons learnt, the things that we did in building Lightstrike Pro," shared Newcomb. "We knew that while superfoams are used in racing first and foremost for comfort, the lightness and energy return, because they are very comfortable, can be a huge unlock for us so we briefed our foams team and asked them to develop a version of that is more suitable for everyday running." "And since women in that survey told us they wanted comfort and support for daily training, what we got back was a superfoam based on the formulation of Lightstrike Pro but denser. That doesn't mean it makes the shoe heavy. SUPERNOVA RISE is 50g lighter than the Solar Glide was for reference, so it is a significantly lighter shoe." "But Dreamstrike+, while being the same base compound as Lightstrike Pro, is about 14 per cent more dense, thus offering just enough support for your daily runs." In the SUPERNOVA RISE and SUPERNOVA SOLUTION models, the Dreamstrike+ midsole is complemented by a Support Rod System. Inspired by the physiology of the foot in motion, this new technology is embedded in the outsole to grant harmonised support and transition, as well as stability where it is needed. The Support Rod System in SUPERNOVA SOLUTION slightly differs from that featured in the SUPERNOVA RISE, with the two middle rods splinted together to offer additional support for runners who seek it. With both technologies working in tandem, Dreamstrike+ and the Support Rod System provide runners with a comfortable, yet well-supported running experience. Other key product features include a Comfort Heel Fit, which uses a combination of cushioning foam and soft textile designed for maximum comfort and support. While the engineered sandwich mesh and expertly crafted details ensure that all runners’ needs are accommodated. For the colourway of the SUPERNOVA RISE, the adidas Design team - inspired by nature and the energy of bioluminescence - selected a dark base of Black and Aurora with Semi-Green Spark detailing. The Supernova Rise is priced at S$189 and will be available for purchase from December 1, 2023 at the following select adidas retail stores: • adidas ION Orchard • adidas Brand Centre Orchard • adidas VivoCity Performance (L1) The SUPERNOVA SOLUTION and SUPERNOVA STRIDE will be introduced starting from February 15, 2024. #adidas #adidassg #SUPERNOVA

The 2023 edition of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon featured a new route and new finish line As the dust finally settled on the weekend's largest sporting event and spectacle, SportPlus.sg asked runners about their race experience in this year's Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, back as a World Athletics Gold Label Race for the first time since 2019, before Covid-19 hit our shores. Sebastian Cheong, a run leader and co-founder of Superhero Runners who completed a Double-up Challenge by running in the 10km on Saturday followed by the 21.1km Half-Marathon on Sunday, shared: " I loved the route of the Half-Marathon where we got to head down all the way to West Coast highway and finish off in the iconic National Stadium." "There were also amazing cheers received from friends, supporters, mascots and performers, which was a huge bonus," he added. Chester Seow, who ran the 10km event with Sebastian, echoed his sentiments saying: "I was thrilled by the electrifying ambience, incredible energy all around, and of course that unbeatable rush of crossing the finish line! Finishing inside the iconic National Stadium added so much more value, making this an absolutely unforgettable experience! I will definitely be back for more." Triathlete Kharshan, who recently completed his first IRONMAN 70.3 in Langkawi, signed up for the 42KM Full Marathon but had to call in a DNF for fear of aggravating an injury and completed the half-marathon instead. "Personally, I wasn’t prepared for this marathon," he admitted. "I enjoyed a little too hard after the IRONMAN and didn’t get a proper training block in to make sure I crushed this race. My body actually felt better during the marathon leg of the IRONMAN as compared to the attempt today so I knew I couldn’t get a PB and it wasn’t worth it to aggravate the existing injuries in my legs." Despite the disappointment, Kharshan hopes to take this as a learning lesson and will bounce back again. "This was what I needed; a strong lesson to make sure I never let this happen again. The marathon distance will always be daunting and this humility is something I need to accept before tackling bigger challenges." Despite not completing his Full Marathon as originally planned, Kharshan joined up with his friends to cheer on runners at East Coast Park, something which helped other runners and was a major highlight of this year's race - with several run clubs volunteering on their own to bring down cheer squads and throw in their support for runners along various stretches of the Marathon and Half-Marathon course. John Yeong, an avid running content creator and founder of Sport Plus Media who did the 21.1km Half Marathon and crossed the finish line together with his girlfriend Chermaine, felt the West Coast Highway stretch and new finish line experience inside the National Stadium helped underline the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon's status as a national event. "To finish at the national stadium would not have been possible in previous years, but this iconic finish line underlines the event's status as a national marathon. I also liked the new West Coast Highways stretch, which hasn't been experienced for many many years." Running enthusiast and social media host Haw Jia Xuan thoroughly enjoyed her experience with Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, and got a new found appreciation of the work put behind the event. "This year’s Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon will always be a special one because I got to go behind the scenes thanks to SportPlus.sg Special thanks to John, Hanida, Hana and Keafey for bringing this together." "Thanks to everyone who supported me along my run journey. Thank you all for rooting for me and believing in me." There was also plenty of joy for Ziyi Kuek, model and skate coach, who participated in her first ever running event - taking part in the 5km run on Saturday. Brimming with excitement, she shared post race: "What an experience! I joined the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon for my very first race experience! It was so fun with all the people and the mascots, plus supporters along the way!" "I managed to complete the 5km in 31 minutes inclusive of all my content creation, water stops and people dodging along the way so I would say I am pretty proud of my timing, with it being my first time and also just 40 days post surgery." #SgMarathon #SCSM2023 #InsideSCSM

They brought their energy and their loud cheers from the wee hours of the morning just to give runners running the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon a boost, embodying the community spirit of SCSM Running a marathon is no easy task. Beyond months of training and waking up in the wee hours of the morning, runners also need to get their fueling strategy right for race day. Yet even then many runners find themselves hitting the wall and needing that extra boost before the end of a marathon. While most of World Marathon Majors have streets of supporters lined up to cheer runners on, the humid climate and extremely early starts to races here make it a bit more challenging for many to come out and cheers. It is therefore worth shining the spotlight on a special group of people who made no small effort in encouraging participants along this year's race course of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. When runners got tired, this group were on hand to give them a much needed boost with their loud cheers and customised signboards, some with witty and cheeky quotes plastered all over them. Some brought out loud hailers, while others waved flags and cheered themselves hoarse just so that runners who hit the wall could have the much needed pick me up to continue with their runs. Cheer Zone 1: Fast and Free Run Club A relatively new running group, Fast and Free Running Club (FFRC) has grown exponentially this year and comprises mostly Gen Zs although the community also welcomes those who are in an older age bracket. FFRC stationed themselves at the 5KM and 15KM markers of this year's Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon before then moving on to the 38km park just before the Benjamin Sheares Bridge to give runners an extra boost before their toughest climb of the course. "This year we put in a lot more effort as you can see. We've learned from the mistakes of last year when we didn't make enough posters so this year we made extra five to eight more," said Azaria Heng, co-founder of FFRC. "All of us are sporting a new prototype t-shirt which we are testing out as well as making sure there is music at there (at the cheer site), the flag is there." He added: "I think SCSM is the biggest race in Singapore and the region, it attracts elite athletes like the Kenyans and all that coming in as well. Being a more professional race gives you that opportunity to see a more diverse participation and drive not only participation from other clubs and locals but also the cheer squads to come out in force as well." FFRC's Lulian Ahn echoed Azaria's sentiments, saying: "What sets this marathon apart is because of its climate. It starts very very early, and despite that you see a whole cheer crowd and all the support crew come out this early in the morning. I think that would be most indicative of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon." "Everyone has gone through their own training blocks because we've all had back-to-back marathons or half marathons. Now that some of us are actually done with our halves I think we could give that positive energy over to the runners that are here today." Cheer Zone 2: Running Department Running Department's Wee Soon Keong said, "It's a bit like a parent waiting for their child at this point in time. We are just keeping our fingers crossed that we will see them. All the hard work that they've been putting in the previous few months would definitely be put into practise as they finish this race strong." When asked who they are most eager to cheer on, Wee replid: "There are pacers from Running Department who are running the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, as well as all the runners who have been attending RD's trainings the previous few months. So we are trying to keep a lookout for them to cheer them on." Running Department's cheer site was situated at the Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome, similar to where they usually set up in preceding years of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. Cheer Zone 3: The High Panters Another running community, The High Panters, decided to move their cheer zone to Nicoll Highway this year, which was the 18km and 40km markers of the half and full marathons. Eugene Lim, founder of The High Panters, reasoned that it was due to the change in the race route which made it more challenging for THP to cheer on both the half and full marathoners if they were based at their usual location. "We know that 40km is probably a tad late, usually we would have prefered to cheer on the runners at 35km - 38km where most would hit the wall, but having accessed the route this was the best place we felt we could lend our voices," said Lim. Rachel Yee, also of The High Panters, added: "We have quite a number of The High Panters runners running today. Some are running today and cheered yesterday, some cheered yesterday and are running today." "For us it's about the community spirit. It's about sharing. Events like this brings us out to cheer. We have our props and we have our loud cheer." #SgMarathon #SCSM2023 #InsideSCSM

Goh Chui Ling's new timing is 27 seconds faster than her previous 5KM mark, and 44 seconds faster than the previous SEA Games bronze timing Singapore's Goh Chui Ling lowered the previous national mark for the 5KM by 27 seconds, which was also written by her but done on the track. PHOTO: GOH CHUI LING INSTAGRAM Malaga, Spain, 26 April 2022 - Singaporean track and field athlete Goh Chui Ling has rewritten the women's 5km national record, coming in fifth during the META : Time : Trials with a time of 17:08 minutes, averaging 3:25/km for pace. The timing is 27 seconds faster than the previous 5,000m mark of 17:35 which was done on track and also set by Goh, and it is also 44 seconds faster than the 2019 SEA Games bronze medal mark of 17:52. Over 70 elite ASICS athletes took part in the META: Time : Trials in Malaga, Spain. PHOTO: ALBIN DURAND Goh was participating in the World Athletics certified META : Time : Trials over the weekend in Spain, with over 70 elite ASICS athletes taking part in an event that witnessed 27 Personal Bests and four new national records. Apart from Goh, another highlight of the event was Eilish McColgan running a 14:45 in the 5K race, which was also a new British national record. Briton Eilish McColgan set a new British national record with her timing of 14:45 for the 5KM. PHOTO: ALBIN DURAND All athletes particpating in the race were sporting the brand new METASPEED™+ shoes, which were unveiled to members of public for the first time at the event as part of a global launch. #SportPlusSG #METATimeTrials #Running #ASICS

Muhammad Ikbolasen, Lam Quang Nhat and Tahira Najmunisaa break personal bests in adrenaline pumping race in Bangkok, Thailand PHOTO: ASICS THAILAND Bangkok, Thailand, 4 September 2022 - Yesterday ASICS announced the results of athletes around the region who participated in ASICS’ META : Time : Trials Bangkok event. Muhammad Ikbolasen from Malaysia took home first place in the Elite Men’s 10km race, with a winning time of 31:31, while Goh Chui Ling from Singapore took victory with a time of 39:15 in the Elite Women’s 10km race. PHOTO: ASICS THAILAND A total of 28 elite athletes and around 200 participants gathered to take part in the Athletics Association of Thailand (AAT) certified META : Time : Trials Bangkok, South East Asia edition in the capital city of Thailand, Bangkok. The runners were challenged to beat their Personal Best (PBs) over the 10km race distance, unleashing their speed to deliver the record-setting performances. PHOTO: ASICS THAILAND Personal Bests (PBs) were achieved with all runners wearing ASICS’ new METASPEED™+ shoes. Building on the great success of the METASPEED™ series introduced in 2021, ASICS Institute of Sport Science (ISS) has utilized data accumulated through elite athletes in competitions to refine the product design, enabling runners to sprint with greater agility and enhanced comfort. The start-finish point of the race took place at Stadium One, where participants ran through four main roads of Bantadtong road, Rama 4 road, Phayathai road and Rama 1 road. PHOTO: ASICS THAILAND Despite the humid race conditions, 3 personal bests were set by Muhammad Ikbolasen, Lam Quang Nhat and Tahira Najmunissa in the elite categories. Muhammad Ikbolasen celebrated his first trip out of Malaysia with a win and personal best, improving his time by 1 minute and 7 seconds. He was joined by Subas Gurung from Nepal and Nicholas Impey from United Kingdom on the podium for the Elite Men’s event. PHOTO: ASICS THAILAND In the Elite Women’s 10km race, Southeast Asian Games Bronze medallist, Goh Chui Ling was crowned Champion while Woraphan Nuansri from Thailand and Noor Amelia Musa from Malaysia finished second and third respectively. 3 Kenyan runners dominated with blistering pace in their METASPEED+ and were joined by 3 Thai runners on the podium in the Mass Participation category. PHOTO: ASICS THAILAND Through this year’s edition of META: Time : Trials and the improved METASPEED™+ series, ASICS reinforces its position as the pioneer of innovation in the running sector, furthering its continued commitment to provide elite athletes with the ideal platform to unleash their potential. The METASPEED™+ series is now available online at ASICS.com and selected retail partners. PHOTO: ASICS THAILAND Men's 10KM Results Muhammad Ikbolasen (Malaysia) - 31:31 (PB) Subas Gurung (Nepal) - 31:55 Nick Impey (United Kingdom) - 33:13 Trí Nguyễn Anh (Viet Nam) - 33:19 Poo Vasanthan (Malaysia) - 33:47 Muhaizar Mohamad (Malaysia) - 34:21 Nik Fakaruddin (Malaysia) - 34:27 Tony Payne (Thailand) - 35:58 Melvin Wong (Singapore) - 36:01 Jaray Jearanai (Thailand) - 37:39 Podjanawed Changvichien (Thailand) - 38:15 Settawut Thanaaeknithiwat (Thailand) - 38:16 Muhammad Shah Feroz Moheden (Singapore) - 38:39 Jeevaneesh Soundararajah (Singapore) - 39:16 Pongsakorn Mettarikanon (Thailand) - 41:05 Lam Quang Nhat (Viet Nam) - 41:16 (PB) Tanakorn Boonprasitpol (Thailand) - 42:25 Arthit Soda (Thailand) - DNF Robi Syanturi (Indonesia) - DNF Yothin Yaprajan (Thailand) - DNF PHOTO: ASICS THAILAND Women's 10KM Results Chui Ling Goh (Singapore) - 39:15 Woraphan Nuanlsri (Thailand) - 40:43 NOOR AMELIA (Malaysia) - 40:57 Tahira Najmunisaa Muhammad Zaid (Malaysia) - 41:21 (PB) Piyanuch Sukchat (Thailand) - 41:49 Suneeka Prichaprong (Thailand) - 42:14 Trinh Nguyen (Viet Nam) - 43:10 Pretty Sihite (Indonesia) - 50:25 PHOTO: ASICS THAILAND #ASICS #METASPEED #MetaTimeTrials #FindYourSpeed