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Over 500 participants took part in the Bintan Triathlon and Sports Festival over two days, in a Race for All Levels Singapore, 24 October 2023 - Over the past weekend, Bintan Resorts, in collaboration with TriFactor Asia, organised and flagged off the highly-anticipated return of the BINTAN TRIATHLON BY TRIFACTOR in 2023 after a three-year absence. Set against the scenic backdrop of Lagoi Bay, Bintan, the event made its return to the world triathlon series with athletes from around the globe gathering to compete in a test of endurance, encompassing swimming, cycling, and running. Day 2 of the event witnessed a Gran Fondo competition for cycling enthusiasts, only just introducted this year. The total field of triathlon and other races’ participants surpassed 500, surpassing the target for this return event. This year’s adult races saw the participation of athletes and sports enthusiasts between the ages of 16 to 71, and coming from more than 35 countries, including Indonesia and Singapore. The Bintan Triathlon by TriFactor 2023 is a significant milestone and a move to revive a sporting event that has captivated enthusiasts in the past. The previous edition was held in 2019 and discontinued due to the unprecedented challenges brought about by the global pandemic from 2020 to 2022. This event is supported and partnered by Wonderful Indonesia - Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Wonderful Riau Island: Kepri Tourism Province and Bintan District Tourism Official. The Guests-of-Honour presiding over the event included Pak Albert Wijaya, Indonesia Triathlon Federation - Riau Island Province, and Pak Max Federico Carlen, Indonesia Triathlon Federation - Riau Island Province. Also taking part over the weekend were Bintan Triathlon by TriFactor Ambassadors are well-known figures within the triathlon circuit including athletes Arthur Tong (Singapore); Elaine Young (Singapore); Choo Ling Er (Singapore); Andy Wibowo (Indonesia); Leanne Szeto (HongKong); Faith Garcia Miss Aura (Philippine); Kelly Tandiono (Indonesia) and Michelle Surjaputra (Indonesia). Speaking at the event, Mr Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer, PT Bintan Resort Cakrawala (Bintan Resorts) said: "We are very excited to welcome the Bintan Triathlon after a long absence from the sporting scene." "With the support we received, we were committed to holding an excellent event that was enjoyed by many, including a wide range of triathletes from all over the world." He continued: “We would like to express our gratitude to the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, the Ministry Tourism & Creative Economy, Tourism Office of Bintan Regency and Riau Islands Province, Governor Riau Islands Province, Regent of Bintan, Head of the Bintan Regency Tourism Office, Federation Triathlon Indonesia, Bintan Resorts Council, and media partners for their support. With their help, we look forward to bringing more of such events and we are committed to growing sports tourism in Bintan Resorts, so look out for more sporting events to come in 2024.” Elvin Ting, Managing Director and Founder of Orange Room, said: “TriFactor is delighted to have partnered with Bintan Resorts to organise the Bintan Triathlon by TriFactor Festival in 2023. Our close collaboration aims to revive sports tourism in the breathtaking setting of Bintan, for now and into the future. The island’s extensive coastline, well-maintained roads, and exceptional infrastructure create an ideal training ground for athletes, ensuring their safety, enjoyment, and inspiration, offering our community the perfect location to train and compete at the highest level. It has been a successful weekend and we hope to see even more participants in future events.” Readers who are interested to find out the full race results and times clocked can visit the links below: Bintan Triathlon Results Gran Fondo Results #Triathlon #BintanTriathlon #TriFactor

Singapore's Nazri Sutari overcomes Montenegro’s Vukcevic Iljia to win first gold medal in the ring, and third gold overall in his career Singapore, 23 October 2023 – One year after earning a historic bronze in the ring, Nazri Sutari surpassed this previous feat in a familiar location, Tešanj, located in Bosnia & Herzegovina. The Balkan Open is one of the largest competitions in the Balkan Peninsula. The 2023 edition, held on 20 to 22 October saw an increase by 10 per cent from the previous year to nearly 500 athletes. A nail-biting final against Montenegro’s Vukcevic Iljia saw Nazri fight neck and neck up to the wire. Nazri dominated the first round with a 3:0 lead, through a convincing performance. In the second round, Iljia’s strikes proved to be the sharper of the two kickboxers, which saw Nazri’s lead overturned to 2:1 in Iljia’s favour. Though exhausted, Nazri dug deep into the final third round, fighting not against his opponent, but himself. Nazri recalls the third round vividly, “During that final round, I was exhausted by then. I knew I was losing at the beginning of the third round. It’s quite hard to regain the lead because you’ve got to work twice as hard to bring all those points back to your advantage. I actually thought, “This is it... I’ve lost”. Then I remembered my final at the Flanders International Cup a month ago. It was a similar situation where I was trailing by a thin margin, and I pushed on, fighting on till the end to secure the win.” Nazri continues, “It was kind of a battle against myself. That memory drove me to push past my negative thoughts. It gave me a second wind. During that last round I focused purely on outscoring my opponent. At the end of round, I was unbelievably happy when the referee raised my hand as the victor. Winning Singapore’s first gold in the ring is an achievement I will cherish.” At the end of the final round, the score was 1:0 in Nazri’s favour. A journey more than 4 years in the making, Nazri achieved his dream of clinching Singapore’s first gold medal in the ring. President of Kickboxing Federation of Singapore (KFS) Jason Lim lauded Nazri’s accomplishment, “I’m extremely happy with Nazri’s result. It’s an achievement that underscores what you can attain with perseverance and grit. This is his seventh international competition in the ring and he’s finally got his first gold. I’m glad he stayed the path and kept on fighting both literally and figuratively.” Coach Aleksandar Topic shares, “It was a thrilling performance and I am very happy that Nazri pushed till the end. When you know that you are losing, it can be a struggle to fight against it because negativity can set in. But in kickboxing, there’s always a possibility of winning no matter the score. You could win by technical knockout with just one good shot. For now, we’ll rest a few days before getting the engines running again for his biggest competition, which is the world championship in a months’ time.” On his historic achievement, Nazri shares, “I'm really happy that I have achieved this milestone as it is one of my performance goals in preparation for Portugal. With this competition done and dusted, I know where I stand now and what I need to do to adjust and fine-tune to perform my best in Portugal. Nazri will continue his training and preparations in Serbia before leaving for Portugal on 17th November for the World Championships. #Kickboxing

Vanessa Lee wins the by-invite-only Elite category, surpassing her previous race record by almost 3 minutes Singapore, 29 October 2023 – Over 9,000 ladies convened as the 17th edition of the Great Eastern Women’s Run (GEWR) kicked off at the Singapore Sports Hub this morning. This year marks the full-scale return of Singapore’s only all-women's run since the pandemic featuring six race categories and with runners between the ages of 3 and 82 participating. In a nod to GEWR’s integral role in uplifting female communities, participants also included rehabilitation beneficiaries from Singapore Cancer Society, women from Daughters Of Tomorrow and runners with special needs through the co-operative Runninghour. This year’s Guest-of-Honour was Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, who flagged off the 5km race with Khor Hock Seng, Group Chief Executive Officer of Great Eastern, and presented the trophies and cash prizes to the race winners. Commenting on the event, Minister Tong said: “The Great Eastern Women’s Run holds a unique place in our local sporting calendar as Singapore’s only all-women's race – championing the unity of women in health, wellness, community and friendship. It is an excellent testament to the power of sport in bringing people together, advocating healthy living, and making a positive impact on our wider community.” The by-invite-only Elite 21.1km Half Marathon saw the return of previous years’ winners and participants. This year, Vanessa Lee came in first at 1:22:51. She was joined on the podium by Jasmine Teo and Rachel See who came in second and third place respectively, at 1:23:16 and 1:24:58 respectively. Elite category winner Vanessa Lee said: “I didn’t expect to cross the finish line first today as there was such strong competition from my fellow runners who also gave it their all this morning. I am glad that my training over the past few months paid off!” The Great Eastern Women’s Run also champions the uplifting of communities in Singapore through fundraising. This year, Great Eastern and its employees and financial representatives raised $260,000 for the beneficiary organisations, Daughters Of Tomorrow and Singapore Cancer Society. Khor Hock Seng, Group Chief Executive Officer, Great Eastern, said: “The Great Eastern Women’s Run is a celebration of female empowerment and female potential. This year, it continues to energise and engage women in their fitness journeys while raising funds for needy causes. We are very proud and thankful for the strong and sustained support of our staff, Financial Representatives, elite athletes and race participants, as well as our corporate partners and Ministers. We will continue to create the space and stage for women of all ages and ambition to be the greatest version of themselves.” Participants were rewarded with a slew of activities in the Race Village after their run. Participants could refuel with complimentary food and drinks, capture memories at Instagrammable photo walls, and bring home a souvenir at the DIY badge making booth. The post-race powder rooms and massage zones were popular among participants to relax and freshen up. The little ones were thrilled by the burst of sweet treats from the candy cannon and took joy in the inflatable bouncy castles and craft activities. #Running #GEWR2023

Over 1,400 triathletes participated in the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship & 2023 IRONMAN MALAYSIA 7 October 2023, Langkawi - Newly married couple Josh Amberger and Ashleigh Gentle earned themselves a fairytale finish after they were crowned the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship (APAC) male and female winners champions in a competitive field. It was a day that will live long in memory for Langkawi Island and Malaysia, with the country hosting its maiden IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship supported by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) since IRONMAN first stamped its footprints here some 23-years ago. This year’s edition was even more significant with the return of the professional triathletes, some four years since 2012 Olympic silver medallist Javier Gomez shattered the IRONMAN Malaysia course record. On Saturday, it was Amberger who hogged the limelight in the men’s category after turning in a majestic performance to finish the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run course with a time of 3:50:47 under testing conditions on Saturday. The Australian led the swim at the Danna Langkawi and kept his lead his advantage intact for large parts of the 90km bike course through the hilly and winding course terrain which took the participants through the Langkawi Falls and the coastline of Pantai Kok. The 34-year-old later saw his lead dissipate as fellow compatriots Mike Phillips and Kurt Mcdonald swapped places at the top, before regaining his advantage in the final stretch of the run as he made his way his through Cenang beach to the Pelangi Beach Resort finish line to seal victory. “I built into the run but didn’t take the lead until the final 11 or 12 kilometres. When I got it, I just wanted to push the advantage to seal the deal. It’s an amazing feeling to win the IRONMAN 70.3 APAC Championship in Langkawi. I’m super happy to win it,” said the 11-times IRONMAN 70.3 Champion, who also captured his second IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship. In this multisport event where women are on equal footing as the men, Amberger’s wife Gentle completed a magnificent day for their household as she finished champion with a time of 4:10:17, almost six minutes ahead of her closest competitor. Gentle saved her best for the final leg of the course when she completed the run course in less than 80 minutes. The two-time Olympian, who was greeted with a hug and kiss from her husband, hailed him as a bedrock to her success. “The highlight for me was seeing Josh win. He has helped me so much in my career and to see him have this success makes me happy. We got married last year, but we have been out on the triathlon circuit for over a decade and shared some great experiences together. To be able to come here and take two titles to one household feels pretty good,” she said. Besides a total prize purse of $75,000 (RM RM354, 562) and bragging rights, the top competitors were also vying for qualification to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupo, New Zealand. Meanwhile, Teh Kuok Yuen and Esther Joy Chen Hong Li did Malaysia proud by finishing the race as the fastest overall IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi age-groupers. Kuok Yen clocked 4:32:13 to become the fastest Malaysian Male, while national triathlete Esther Joy Chen finished with 5:07:39 to become the quickest local female competitor. Jeff Edwards, the Managing Director of IRONMAN Asia said this year’s edition set a successful milestone for this series in the region. “The good number of participants for the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship and IRONMAN Malaysia continues to showcase the value and potential that Langkawi Island brings to this event. We saw how every athlete, both amateur and professional give their best, and what made it more compelling was the fact there were so many locals cheering them at the finish line. We foresee that the IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi & IRONMAN MALAYSIA will continue to be a signature event in the Asian region for many years to come,” he said. CG Lim, the Regional Director for IRONMAN Asia said the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship could open more opportunities for the island community moving forward. “The local communities and authorities remain one of the key pillars to our success, and again their dedication to ensure everything ran smoothly was of the highest order. We could see a bigger participation next year due to this, and that will create more economic opportunities for the local community which would be deserving of their efforts,” he said. While IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi saw athletes compete over a 1.9km swim, 90km ride and 21.1km run those taking on IRONMAN Malaysia took part in a 3.8km swim, 180km ride and 42.2km run, with all crossing the famous IRONMAN finish line. Muhammad Azmir Taib and Crystal Ng Pei Qi ensured Malaysia stood tall as the fastest male and female Malaysian. Azmir clocked in 11:02:44, while Crystal had a look of sheer satisfaction on her face when she crossed the end at 12:17:53. Romanian Toma Alexandru earned the recognition of fastest IRONMAN Malaysia age-grouper finisher with a time of 9:18:12. Besides the 40 qualifying slots to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, there were also 70 qualifying slots available for the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championships. This includes 20 qualifying slots for the male triathletes at the World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii while the female athletes will receive 50 qualifying slots for their world meet at Nice, France. As mentioned by CG, the local community contributed immensely to the success of this event through almost 2,000 volunteers. The Langkawians played their part in every way possible, from their much needed help at the aid stations along the bike course to turning on their vehicle headlights as the field made their way along the Langkawi International Airport. Langkawi island continues to attract millions of tourists every year, and it was the same for this IRONMAN events as participants brought their friends and families to enjoy the beautiful beaches, the sumptuous delicacies and vibrant nightlife. #SportPlusSG #IRONMAN #Triathlon

Second edition of UA COMBINE SINGAPORE witnesses 309 athletes testing their limits across 8 fitness tests Singapore, 24 October 2023 - Under Armour celebrated its triumphant return to the competitive fitness scene with the highly anticipated second edition of UA COMBINE last Saturday (21 October 2023). The dynamic event hosted at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, witnessed 309 of Singapore's top athletes going head-to-head across eight fitness tests, pushing boundaries and beating their personal bests, for the ultimate title of UA COMBINE SINGAPORE 2023 Champion. “Under Armour has always been about hard work, grit, and determination. Observing the UA COMBINE participants embody these values while striving to set new personal records truly exemplifies the spirit of what it means to be an athlete” said Justin Olivares, Marketing Director for Under Armour South Asia-Pacific. The Men’s Division saw the tightest competition yet, with Dan Smith and Kangyin Lim going head-to-head for the top position. Smith secured two Top 5 finishes, while Lim achieved four, including taking the top spot in the 20M Sled Push (Power) in just 4.75 seconds. Ultimately, with only a mere 2-point margin, Dan Smith emerged as the victorious winner of the UA COMBINE SINGAPORE 2023 Men’s Division. “Participating in UA COMBINE 2023 has been an incredibly fulfilling and well-rounded experience. While winning took me by surprise, I'm proud that all competitors gave our best efforts to test our limits,” said Dan Smith, personal trainer and coach at UFIT Singapore. The energy was equally electrifying at the Women’s Division, with the female athletes displaying exceptional grit and determination. UA COMBINE SINGAPORE 2023 Women’s Division Champion Sze Ying Soh demonstrated her prowess, claiming the top positions for both the Pull Up Beep Test (Stamina) with 20 reps and the 3RM Bench Press (Strength) with 75kg. First runner-up Kerstin Ong was also no exception, reigning top for both the 40 Yard Dash (Speed) at 5.05 seconds and the Vertical Jump Test (Vertical) at 47cm high. Age proved no barrier for the youngest champions from the Youth Division. Chloe Young, who was crowned champion of the UA COMBINE SG 2023 Youth (Female) Division, impressively secured the first position for five out of the eight tests. Similarly, Jonas Wu, who claimed the top spot for the UA COMBINE SG 2023 Youth (Male) Division, showcased his remarkable abilities by emerging top in five tests. UA COMBINE SINGAPORE 2023 Winners: Men’s Division Winner – Dan Smith (1442 points) First runner-up – Kangyin Lim (1440 points) Second runner-up – CL Tan (1401 points) Women’s Division Winner – Sze Ying Soh (1115 points) First runner-up – Kerstin Ong (1104 points) Second runner-up – Andrea Ng (1096 points) Youth’s Division Winner (Male) – Jonas Wu (71 points) Winner (Female) – Chloe Young (69 points) Top Team *The winning team is determined by the lowest team points Winner – #LASTMINUTE (872 points) Following a series of successful competitions in Singapore and across the region, the remaining leg of UA COMBINE 2023 is set to continue in Bangkok, Thailand on 28 October and will wrap up in Manila, Philippines on 19 November for 2023. #UACombineSG #UACombine2023

Excitement builds as Singapore's two Netball teams look ahead to competing in the Nations Cup, with the aim to building on the momentum they achieved at Netball World Cup Singapore, 21 October 2023 – The stage is set as six formidable teams prepare to compete for the coveted trophy in the upcoming Mirxes Nations Cup, which will unfold at the OCBC Arena from 22 to 28 October 2023. The Mirxes Nations Cup will feature a round-robin format and will include top-ranked teams, namely Cook Islands (ranked 19th), Sri Lanka (ranked 20th), Papua New Guinea (ranked 36th), Canada (unranked), and Singapore’s very own Opens (ranked 26th) and A teams. For the Singapore Opens team, the primary focus for the week is building on the momentum and success they achieved at the Netball World Cup, where they switched to a shorter and faster style of play. Since the August tournament, experienced shooters Charmaine Soh and Lee Pei Shan have rejoined the national team, adding more depth to the team and offering a different style of play. Co-captain Toh Kai Wei said: “I think we have made adjustments to adapt to Charmaine and Pei Shan’s playing style while also having them adapt to our new style of play. I think that’s something fans can look out for this tournament, and we want to end the year on a high with a good result.” Expressing her excitement about playing in front of the local crowd, Toh added: “I think the fans are very excited after what we achieved at the World Cup, and we are excited to show our fans what we have prepared.” The Singapore A team, Netball Singapore’s developmental squad, returns to the Nations Cup, building on their team’s introduction to last year's competition. For co-captain Miki Ng, the Mirxes Nations Cup is about gaining more experience and working cohesively as a team to achieve more collectively. Ahead of tomorrow’s kick-off, Cook Islands Captain Marjorie Katrina Toru shared her excitement about her team’s return to Singapore: “We’ve got a new bunch of girls, with a mix of experience and a few debutants. We definitely want to place in the top three. It’s something that we’ve been working hard towards in the last couple of months.” After a ten-year hiatus from the Nations Cup, Sri Lanka is eager to make their mark again. In their last appearance in 2013, they secured a 4th place finish. Captain Dulangi Wannithilake, who has 45 caps to her name, is looking ahead to next year’s Asian Netball Championships, saying: “We have a new team; seven players who are playing their first international tournament. So we’re focused on our young girls getting the experience of playing internationally.” For the Canadian team, this event marks their first international match in three years, having been hampered by COVID-19 restrictions. Their expectation is clear, with captain Amonda Francis saying: “For us, our expectation is to just go out, work hard, and compete well in every single game this week.” Papua New Guinea, known for their historic victory in the 2008 Nations Cup when they were the first overseas team to win the tournament since its introduction in 2006, is determined to reclaim the title. Co-captain Jeperth Tulapi, who is making her return to the national team since 2019, declared: “We’re taking every opportunity. We want to win, and that’s what we’re focused on.” The Mirxes Nations Cup will take place from 22 to 28 October 2023 at the OCBC Arena (Hall 1). Tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster. For more information on the Mirxes Nations Cup, follow Netball Singapore (@netballsingapore) on social media for the latest updates. #SportPlusSG #Netball #NationsCup

Singapore dominates with 24-goal win against Singapore A to make it three wins on the trot, as Cook Islands bounce back with convincing win over Canada while Papua New Guinea maintains top spot by defeating Sri Lanka Singapore, 25 October 2023 – The fourth day of the Mirxes Nations Cup showcased outstanding performances from all the winning teams, with Singapore, Papua New Guinea, and Cook Islands clinching victories by substantial margins of at least 16 goals. The final match of the day featured an all-Singapore showdown, with the Singapore Opens emerging victorious with a 24-goal lead over the Singapore A team. During the first half of the game, both teams went goal-for-goal in the early stages of each quarter. However, the Singapore Opens team eventually asserted their dominance, scoring 16 goals in each quarter while limiting the Singapore A team to 15 goals (32-15). The second half saw the Singapore A team putting up a more formidable challenge, but the Singapore Opens held their ground for a convincing 55-31 win. Singapore is set to face Asian rivals Sri Lanka once again this Friday after defeating them twice earlier this year at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town. Looking ahead to the match, Tan Yi Jie said: “We definitely want to work on our strong, speedy movements and take it strong. We know that Sri Lanka is going to go hard on us, especially after World Cup. So we are going to give them a good battle and give it all we got.“ The day's opening match witnessed the Cook Islands ending their losing streak with a resounding victory over Canada, achieving a 63-37 scoreline. The first quarter was a closely contested and physical battle, with the Cook Islands edging the quarter 13-11. However, in the subsequent three quarters, the Cook Islands dominated, securing the most significant winning margin of the tournament thus far with a 36-goal victory. 17-year-old Cook Islands shooter Maya Piakura, who earned her first cap in today’s game, exclaimed: “We had tough two losses these past days. Today, we had so much hunger and so much fire. Caps off to my teammates; they pulled through, and it just shows their character and resilience.” In the day’s second game, Sri Lanka sought to halt Papua New Guinea’s three-game winning streak. However, the Asian Champions fell short, as Papua New Guinea once again impressed, claiming their fourth consecutive victory with a 16-goal win (67-51). Sri Lanka had a strong start, winning the first quarter 13-11, with their experienced attacking unit displaying flawless attacking play throughout the court. The introduction of Goloa Ovoa as Goal Shooter in the second quarter led to more composed play by Papua New Guinea, allowing them to take the lead by two goals at halftime. In the second half, the robust defensive effort from Papua New Guinea’s Goal Keeper Jeperth Tulapi and Goal Defence Lesieli Vele Taviri made securing possession challenging for Sri Lanka's shooters, resulting in only 24 goals. The game ended in Papua New Guinea’s favour 55-31. Looking ahead to their upcoming match on Friday against the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea midfielder Yves Angelina Chee said: “It’s definitely about playing to our strengths. We know that as a playing group, our strengths are our speed and our agility to get around players. Seeing as the Cook Islands is quite a tall team, we definitely need to use that to our advantage to get the win for us.” The Mirxes Nations Cup takes place from now to 28 October 2023 at the OCBC Arena (Hall 1). Tickets are still available for purchase through Ticketmaster. Final Scores: Cook Islands vs Canada: 63-37 Papua New Guinea vs Sri Lanka: 67-51 Singapore vs Singapore A: 55-31 Fixtures - 27 October 2023 3pm SGT: Canada vs Singapore A 5pm SGT: Cook Islands vs Papua New Guinea 7pm SGT: Singapore vs Sri Lanka #SportPlusSG #Netball #NationsCup

Netball icon and Singapore's most capped player with 128 caps over 12 years Charmaine Soh announces International retirement Singapore, 28 October 2023 – Singapore clinched the Mirxes Nations Cup title with a 59-56 victory against Papua New Guinea on the final day of the Mirxes Nations Cup 2023. The game was a thrilling rematch of the tournament's first match, where Singapore suffered a narrow 50-52 defeat to Papua New Guinea. The first 15 minutes of the game were fiercely contested, with both teams refusing to give an inch. However, midway through, Singapore made some errors, allowing Papua New Guinea to edge ahead and claim the first quarter with a two-goal lead (18-16). The second quarter was dominated by Singapore, with the home team overpowering their rivals through solid defensive play from Jamie Lim, Aqilah Andin, and Khor Ting Fang, complemented by precise shooting from Amandeep Chahal and Toh Kai Wei. Singapore won the quarter 19-8, establishing a nine-goal lead. Despite some errors creeping into Singapore's game during the third quarter, Papua New Guinea couldn't capitalise. Instead, Singapore's sustained defensive pressure enabled them to win the third quarter by three goals, further extending their lead (48-37). The final quarter was tense for Singapore, as they experienced a higher turnover count and more missed shots than previous quarters. In the final quarter, Papua New Guinea mounted a strong comeback, winning 19-11. However, it wasn't enough, as Singapore secured the victory by three goals to capture the Mirxes Nations Cup 2023 title. Singapore's previous Nations Cup victory was in 2007, when they defeated Trinidad and Tobago 56-32 in the finals. Amandeep Chahal, who recorded an impressive 88% shooting percentage, expressed her pride in the team's strong performance: “I'm very proud of our team for putting up a very strong fight from the beginning because we came here to prove a point. It's been very, very long since we've won the Nations Cup gold medal, and we're very proud that we actually managed to do it this year.” Reflecting on her team’s performance against Papua New Guinea, Singapore national coach Annette Bishop expressed her pride in her team’s resilience, stating: “They were brilliant. They stuck together and stuck to the task. Papua New Guinea were coming at us, but we stood tall, and that was what we had to do; minimise our errors and then just grow our game.” She further commented on the performance of the Singapore team throughout the week, saying: “We’ve seen the team grow even more, which is great.” Charmaine Soh Announces Retirement from International Netball After the game, Charmaine Soh, one of the icons of the sport and the national sports scene in Singapore, announced her retirement from international netball. Soh made her debut for Singapore against Jamaica at the Netball World Cup held in Singapore in 2011. Over the years, Soh has been a key player in many successful Singapore national netball teams, including those that won Gold in the 2012 and 2014 Asian Netball Championships and the 2015 Southeast Asian Games. Soh, inducted into the Netball Hall of Fame in 2018, has competed in three Netball World Cups (2011, 2015, 2019), five Asian Netball Championships (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 & 2022), and three Southeast Asian Games (2015, 2017 & 2019). She also held leadership roles within the team, serving as co-vice-captain from 2015 to 2018 and national captain in 2019. Watch SportPlus.sg's feature of Charmaine Soh in this special documentary video here The 33-year-old, Singapore's most capped player with 128 caps over 12 years, tearfully shared: “It's been amazing from the start, from getting selected to the team and being the newbie, to now being the oldest in the team.’ ‘I would like to thank my teammates and the coaches who have been with me throughout these years. I'm really thankful to them for shaping me into who I am today. And to the team, I would like to tell them to continue to work hard and ‘jia you’ to the young ones!” In the other placing matches, Cook Islands secured 3rd place at the Mirxes Nations Cup after narrowly defeating Canada by a single goal in a highly intense final few minutes. Both teams had a shaky start with misplaced passes and missed shots early in the game. The Cook Islands improved in the second half of the quarter to end with a three-goal lead. Over the next 15 minutes, Canada showed improvement, winning the subsequent quarter and bringing the game to a level pegging at halftime. In the physical third quarter, the Cook Islands took control of the game, winning by eight goals (19-11). However, in the 4th quarter, Canada mounted a strong comeback, taking the quarter with a score of 13-4 to lead the game for the first time. With the score level at 48-all, Cook Islands' Wing Defence Rachel Tuaputa made a crucial intercept during Canada's centre pass, which Goal Shooter Maya Piakura converted, giving the Cook Islands a one-goal victory (49-48). In the 5th and 6th placing game, Singapore A defeated Sri Lanka for the second time during the week to secure the 5th position. Singapore A put on an impressive performance, much like they did throughout the week. Despite being Singapore's development team, featuring players mainly aged 23 and under, they achieved notable victories throughout the week against international teams such as Sri Lanka and Canada, and they narrowly lost to the Cook Islands. Similar to their earlier game in the week, the Singapore A team came out strong in the first half of the match, taking an eight-goal lead after 30 minutes (30-22). The second half was a more closely contested affair, but Singapore A managed to secure a victory over Sri Lanka with a final score of 55-48, sealing the 5th position at the Mirxes Nations Cup. Final Scores Singapore A vs Sri Lanka: 55-48 Cook Islands vs Canada: 49-48 Papua New Guinea vs Singapore: 56-59 Final Standings 1st: Singapore 2nd: Papua New Guinea 3rd: Cook Islands 4th: Canada 5th: Singapore A 6th: Sri Lanka #SportPlusSG #Netball #NationsCup

Record crowd of more than 20,000 spectators crowd downtown Singapore to see world’s top cyclists take on the Suntec City Singapore street circuit Singapore, 29 October 2023 – Belgian Jasper Philipsen held off the challenges of Tour de France legend Mark Cavendish and World No.1 cyclist Tadej Pogacar to win the 2023 Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium. In front of a packed Suntec City Singapore street circuit crowd, the 25-year-old Philipsen - the winner of the Green Jersey at this year’s Tour de France - crossed the finishing line in a time of 1hr 20min 33secs, ahead of Cavendish and Pogacar. Consisting of 27 of the world’s best riders and top cyclists from Singapore, Malaysia Thailand and South Korea, the 43-member peloton had to navigate 20 laps of the Suntec City 3km course. Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome and Singapore's own Yeo Boon Kiak were among the early pacesetters. But two-time Tour de France champion Pogacar, the White Jersey winner of the 2023 Tour, soon put himself in pole position after three rounds. He would hold on to the lead till the final straight where Philipsen emerged tops in the sprint to the finish. Said Philipsen: “I thought (Pogacar) was pretty strong. He was in the front but we tried and managed to get him. Peter helped, and Gavin in the end and I had some good teammates. It was was hard to catch him but we got him in the end. For Pogacar, there was some consolation as his UAE Team Emirates won the team time trial. Event broadcast to 190 territories around the world The event, which debuted in 2022, also hit new highs this year. It was broadcast to 190 territories around the world, including Europe, North and South America and Asia. Top international sport publications like L’Equipe and Flobikes were also in Singapore to cover the race. The event broke new ground on social media with highlights of the event garnering close to 2 million views, as the world’s top cyclists took part part in a fun Singapore Challenge - involving the Pogacar and Cavendish leading two teams in a trishaw and Singlish competition - and meet-and-greet sessions. But the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium was not just all about the stars. The weekend also saw a Kids Ride, a CEO Breakfast Ride, a DHL Charity Ride and the PRURide Seeker’s Criteriums for Men’s Novice, Women’s Open and Men’s Open organised by title sponsor and official wellness partner Prudential Singapore. There were also pre-event and post-event concerts held at the Suntec City Fountain of Wealth headlined by DPR IAN and DJ KSHMR respectively. Said Prudential Singapore’s CEO Dennis Tan: “We are pleased to see so much energy and excitement this weekend, from the Professional Criterium, PRURide Seeker’s Criterium, the kids’ ride, to the concerts, it was an event for everyone. “It was fantastic to have so many people join us at the event with their families and friends, as they enjoyed the spectacle of some of the best Tour de France riders in action and the music at the concerts. We hope more people will be inspired to take up cycling to stay active and healthy.” Added Ms Agnes Goh, managing director of event organiser, EVOKE EXP: “We are humbled to have so many strong brands recognising the value of the Tour. #TourDeFrance #TDFSG

Runners are invited to experience New Balance’s cutting-edge innovations and technologies first-hand in a series of pop-ups around the island beginning with the Fresh Foam X 1080v13 launch happening at Suntec City Atrium from 1-5 November 2023 New Balance has launched this year's "Run Your Way" campaign with the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 pop-up at Suntec City Atrium, happening from 1 - 5 November 2023. Come experience this week-long activation designed to immerse participants in the world of New Balance's latest offering, the Fresh Foam X 1080v13, designed for both performance and lifestyle. The Fresh Foam X 1080v13 event pop-up experience is a one-of-a-kind experience that features a state-of-the-art 3D foot scan, a personalized shoe fitting, and the opportunity to test these cutting-edge shoes in a One-Mile Treadmill Trial or a Treadmill Group Workout led by the energetic Queenie Azabeth, a certified fitness trainer who specialises in incorporating speed workouts on the treadmill. Queenie's classes will happen twice a day at Suntec City Atrium from Wednesday, 1 November to Sunday, 5 Nov 2023, and is guaranteed to make you work up a good sweat in the comfort of the new Fresh Foam X 1080v13! Participants who are interested can register at this link here. Additionally, those who head down to the Suntec City atrium this week will have the chance to win a pair of these New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 shoes in a raffle, receive a runner kit, and enjoy a sweet treat courtesy of Swirl.Go! What can you experience at the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 Launch Event Pop-up Suntec? 1. Check-in As you arrive, meet friendly New Balance staff and keep your bags at the lockers PHOTO: ERIC CHEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG 2. Foot Scan Enjoy a 3D foot scan and use the benefit of technology to understand your own feet to find the right running shoes for yourself PHOTO: ERIC CHEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG 3. Shoe Fitting Get dressed in both comfort and style of the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 shoes! 4. Ready-up Time to get excited for your shoe trial, but don't forget to do your warm-ups or stretches! There are also plenty of instagrammable corners at this pop-up that you may wish to make a stop at before you get all sweaty PHOTO: ERIC CHEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG 5. Run, Jog or Walk in the All New Fresh Foam X 1080v13 Take the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 shoes for a spin in a One-Mile Treadmill Trial. Whether running, jogging, or walking it's time to put the shoes to the test. 6. Check-out Time to pack up and check out 7. Refuel Enjoy a sweet treat before you leave - soft serve courtesy of Swirl.Go, perfect combination to go with the soft cushioning of the New Balance Fresh Foam! This November, fall in love with running all over again as New Balance rolls out its "Run Your Way" campaign across the island in a series of pop-ups that is designed to pamper runners and remind them that it is possible to marry style with comfort in an all new experience. Indeed these are no ordinary pop-ups; as New Balance celebrates the individuality in all who run, and invite all to the world of running. New Balance is injecting the vibrant spirit of the running community right into the heart of Singapore's premier shopping district, the iconic downtown bay area, and the world-class national sports hub with a one-mile run. For the full New Balance experience, we're rolling out the red carpet with 3D foot scans and fitting each participant with a pair of the latest New Balance running shoes for this “trial run”. It's the ticket to experience New Balance’s cutting-edge innovations and technologies first-hand. #NewBalanceRunning #FreshFoam1080v13

Join everyday runners this November and run your way through Orchard Road, Marina Bay and Singapore Sports Hub to experience New Balance's cutting edge technologies first hand in a series of pop-ups around the island This November, New Balance celebrates the individuality of all who run, and inviting all to the world of running. We speak with Raine Chua of New Balance Run Club as part of a three-part 'Run Your Way' series, and ask her what running your way means to her and why she is passionate about running. You can join Raine in injecting the vibrant spirit of the running community right into the heart of Singapore's premier shopping district, the iconic downtown bay area, and the world-class national sports hub with a one-mile run in the coming weeks! Raine Chua, New Balance Run Club 25, Marketing Operations Manager What does "Run Your Way" mean to you? Raine: For me "Run Your Way" means running in a way that feels right for you. It means following your own style, your own preferences and methods, instead of trying to meet others' expectations. It's about doing things in a way that suits you best. Why do you like running? Raine: Running allows me to stay active and healthy. Running is also a stress reliever and provides a sense of accomplishment when setting and achieving personal goals, whether it's running a certain distance or completing a particular race. How long have you been running? Raine: I started running back in 2019, and was someone who only ran a maximum of 5km each time - nothing more, nothing less. Now I won a ballot for next year's Tokyo Marathon, and I will try my best to get there. What do you like most about the Fresh Foam X 1080v13 shoes? Raine: I love their cushioning, it provides a comfortable and supportive feel, which is great for running or for daily wear. These shoes also offer a durable and breathable design, ensuring long-lasting performance. Could you share some words of encouragement for new runners who only just began running? Raine: Every step you take is progress. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Remember, every runner was once a beginner. You're on your own unique journey, and you're doing great. Join Raine and New Balance Run Club on Tuesday, 14 November 2023 at the Promontory @ Marina Bay and experience New Balance's cutting-edge innovations and technologies first-hand at the Marina Bay pop-up. #NewBalanceRunning #RunYourWay

Pink Warriors 3x3 basketball tournament will take place from 9-10 December 2023 at the Singapore Sports Hub Hard Courts 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. Fresh off the back of a pulsating FIBA Intercontinental Cup at the Singapore Sports Hub last month, we are ready to welcome back more thrilling basketball action this December! Helmed by Jumpshot Singapore in conjunction with Singapore Sports Hub, the Pink Warriors 3x3 basketball tournament will take place on the 9th and 10th of December at the Sports Hub Hardcourts along 100PLUS Promenade. Following the success of Pink Warriors 3x3 first season earlier this year back in March which drew over 50 teams, the tournament is back for its second rendition. Get ready for more cheers, shimmies, and jump shots as entertaining basketball plays leave you on the edge of your seat this holiday season! Championing Singapore’s 3x3 Basketball Movement The Pink Warriors 3x3 aims to develop the basketball skills of both beginners and dedicated players in the 3x3 category, as Jumpshot looks ahead to leading the basketball 3x3 movement in Singapore in the hopes of having more organisers come onboard to grow the scene locally. Sharing that they hope to have more participants and the ones who took part in season 1 to gather again, Jumpshot said: “While some things remain unchanged, we’re excited to continue the journey with the same passion and enthusiasm that defined season 1.” “Taking the learnings from season 1, this new season will be bigger and better especially for the players who are coming to join us.” Apart from medals for the top three teams and bragging rights, participants can also expect attractive cash prizes with $800 going to the overall champion and $600 going to the runners-up of the tournament. Jumpshot also hinted at a goodie bag reveal and exclusive jerseys to come soon. Beyond the primary goal of elevating the 3x3 basketball scene in Singapore, Jumpshot also shared that they hope to build a strong sense of passion for the sport - with individual ranking points collected from this tournament enabling players to move up in the overall rankings within the country, which is visible on the official FIBA 3x3 website. About 3x3 Basketball 3x3 basketball is widely dubbed as one of the world’s most exciting urban team sports, with its smaller format providing a more accessible yet competitive version of the ball game. This is extremely beneficial for countries with space constraints like Singapore, which played host to the inaugural 3x3 competition during the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, also held the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup in late March this year. The 3x3 format significantly differs from its 5x5 counterpart and is known for its fast-paced and high-intensity gameplay. With only six players (3 on each team) on the court, the smaller playing area allows for quick transitions from defence to offence, elevating the overall intensity and pace of the game. Players are required to constantly track up and down the court in a short span of time, which places more emphasis on agility rather than endurance and stamina that the 5x5 format demands. There is also little allowance for tactical organisation with many opting to simply pick up the closest opposition player once possession is lost. Season 2 of Pink Warriors 3x3 will continue to follow FIBA’s 3x3 Rules of the Game – each game will last 10 minutes with no half-time or quarter breaks, as well as no stoppages for free throw or dead ball situations. In 3x3 basketball, each basket made inside the arc is worth one point, while shots beyond the arc are worth two points. Additionally, free throws are awarded after a team accumulates a certain number of fouls. The first team that amasses 21 points wins the game. Teams will compete based on a round-robin format, with the top 8 teams advancing to the quarter-finals and so on. Each team should comprise a minimum of 3 and not more than 4 players should they choose to include a substitute. Interested competitors can register for any of the following categories - U16, U23, Open (Male), alongside U17, Open (Female) from 1 to 30 November 2023 So, round up your mates and don't miss out on the action. Whether you are gathering a team to take part in the competition or simply coming down to show your support for your friends, the Sports Hub Hard Courts is the place to be on 9 - 10 December, see you there! #SportPlusSG #Basketball3x3