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Resetting mentally after a two year break from volleyball and competing again after four years, national beach volleyballer and personal trainer Ong Weiyu recounts her journey Juggling between training as a national beach volleyball athlete and working as a personal trainer is no easy feat. PHOTO: DYAN TJHIA & THE LOFT GYM National beach volleyball player Ong Weiyu’s first encounter with volleyball was completely accidental, or some could also call it fate. Ong enrolled into her secondary school through the Direct School Admission (DSA) programme under the impression that it was for Netball, the sport she played in primary school. It was only when the teacher-in-charge of volleyball came looking for her did she realise that she was in a different sport. Ong Wei Yu in action for Singapore at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. PHOTO VIA ONG WEI YU Fast forward 15 years, Ong represents Singapore in beach volleyball and has even competed in major games such as the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and the Southeast Asian Games in 2022. “I have no regrets! I love my team and have made really close friends through volleyball,” she reflected. How does someone become a national beach volleyball player in Singapore? Ong Wei Yu (right) celebrates a point with then team mate Lau Ee Shan at the Commonwealth Games in 2018. PHOTO VIA ONG WEI YU Ong shared that in Singapore, beach volleyball players on the national team likely start out as indoor volleyball players. She was scouted by a beach volleyball coach when she graduated from secondary school and it was then that she began to be more exposed to higher levels of competitions internationally. She recounted being able to travel to new countries and places as one of the highlights of her journey so far as a volleyball player. She recently returned from the SEA Games in Vietnam, prior to which she also travelled to her first tournament overseas after a four year hiatus for the Asian Qualifier Beach Volleyball Tournament, held in Sri Lanka. Ong Wei Yu and teammate Eliza Chong finished in second position for the Commonwealth Games qualifiers in Sri Lanka in 2022. PHOTO VIA ONG WEI YU Attaining first place in that competition would have meant qualifying for the Commonwealth Games taking place later this year. On top of having to overcome pre-competition nerves from not competing in so long, just two weeks before the tournament, Ong and her partner Eliza Chong also came down with COVID-19. Although they recovered in time and could play, it was still a challenge for them. “We were still having phlegm and coughing during the competition. It was sometimes a struggle to breathe during the matches in the morning when the sun was out. We also felt more out of breath after each game.” The beach volleyball national team departing for international competition. PHOTO VIA ONG WEI YU However, Ong and her partner still gave the best they could in spite of the circumstances and put up a commendable performance. They came in second place at the tournament. She also competed again in April before heading off for the SEA Games in May representing Singapore in beach volleyball. It was Ong’s first time competing at the SEA Games. “I guess my final goal as an athlete was to compete at the SEA games and I am happy to have done that! We would have wanted better results, but at the end of the day I am just grateful to have been able to represent my country.” Ong Wei Yu's life as a personal trainer, after she made the transition in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. PHOTO: THE LOFT GYM Life as a Personal Trainer At the start of the pandemic, Ong left her job as an air stewardess and ventured into the sporting industry, starting out at Sport Singapore. A short internship stint at Grityard then inspired her to sign up for a personal training (PT) certification as a birthday present to herself. Before embarking on her current job as a PT, she also worked as a volleyball coach at Revollve Volleyball Academy almost every Sunday. As an athlete and trainer, Ong’s schedule is packed 7 days a week. She conducts her PT sessions at Meta Performance and enjoys interacting with people and seeing the changes she can make to the lives of others through fitness. “As a trainer, I wish to build confidence in individuals through fitness, especially women. I often hear from my clients that they feel out of place in a gym and that some machines scare them. I have felt that way before too.” Ong aims to slowly eliminate this notion through consistent training and hopefully in the long run encourage more women to take up gym memberships and build their confidence. #SportPlusSG #Athlete #PersonalTraining #BeachVolleyball #OngWeiYu

Double joy for Singapore in Water Polo as Men's team defeat reigning SEA Games champions Indonesia, while Women’s team get first win over Thailand in 11 years Singapore's Women's A Water Polo team in high spirits in their big clash against powerhouses Thailand in the Inter-Nations Cup. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION Singapore, 23May 2022 – Singapore Water Polo’s road to reclaim their crown as kings and queens of the region began in decisive fashion when both the Men’s and Women’s A teams clinched the inaugural Singapore Water Polo Inter-Nations Cup 2022 titles at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on Sunday. The Men’s team, who relinquished their tag as Southeast Asia’s kings of water polo in 2019, exacted a measure of revenge over their successors and reigning SEA Games champions Indonesia, as they emerged 16-2 winners over the Indonesians to clinch the title over Thailand. Emotions run high on a day of significant achievements for both men's and women's water polo teams. PHOTO: WONG YOON WAH, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION Cheered on by the vociferous home crowd, the hosts were in control from start to finish and were led by stalwarts Bryan Ong, who scored 4 times, and Koh Jian Ying and Chow Jing Lun, both with hat-tricks. Kan Aoyagi, Technical Director of Water Polo said: "Today was a very good, almost perfect game. Overall, it was a very good competition. At the last SEA games, we lost to Indonesia, so the team really wanted to win today. Singapore's Men's Water Polo team thanking the partizan home support at the Inter-Nations Cup. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION The team needed this competition environment, to get the experience. The boys need to know that this is not an individual sport but a team sport, and they have to play till the end to win the game as a team.” Thailand were runners up of the Men’s competition after beating Singapore B in a see-saw battle that saw them run out 9-7 winners. Watchawarawong Ekchaona was the star for the Thais, leading his side to victory with a hat-trick. Captain Pattanit Chompoosang added a brace. Derek Chan scored twice for Singapore B, who finished the competition in 4th place. Singapore men's Water Polo team getting ready to enter the water for their match at the Inter-Nations Cup. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION Philippines finally got their first win of the Inter-Nations Cup as they ended their campaign on a high with a 19-6 win over bottom of the table Malaysia. Teodoro Roy Canete continued his purple patch in front of goal, with 7 goals, to lead his side. Matthew Royce Yu, Reynaldo Salonga and Juan Paolo Serrano all chipped in with hat-tricks. Chai Chuan Ze scored twice for Malaysia. For the Women’s team, since winning the Gold medal at the 2011 SEA Games, they have been playing bridesmaids to the Thais since then, but the 9-4 victory for the gold on Sunday, was the first time that they have beaten the Thais in 11 years. Singapore B vs Thailand on the penultimate day of the Inter-Nations Cup. PHOTO: EUGENE, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION Leading by example, captain Koh Ting Ting, who had been a standout throughout the whole competition, added another 2 goals to her tally, with sister Xiao Li and Ong Cheng Jing also scoring twice for the hosts. Also in top form was goalkeeper Rochelle Ong, who repelled the Thais time and time again and deservedly won the Player of the Match trophy. Yanisa Turon led the Thais with a brace. “I am very happy for the girls. It was a tough fight against a very good opponent, but we managed to keep our focus and structure. Overall, we had a very good competition, and I am proud of the team”, said Singapore Women’s Head Coach, Luo Nan. Joyous scenes from the Singapore camp after winning the inaugural Inter-Nations Cup. PHOTO: CHEAH CHENG POH, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION Malaysia claimed bronze in the women’s competition after beating Singapore B 9-3 in the Bronze-medal match. Looking to end their campaign on a winning note, the Malaysians started with aplomb and led 6-0 at the half-time break, with the hosts trying their hardest to get back into the game. The hosts did manage to pull 3 consolation goals back in the final quarter. Mak Sin Sin and Low Jia Yee were the starring lights for Malaysia, with 4 and 3 goals apiece. Charlene Tio led Singapore B with 2 goals. The top goalscorer award for Men went to Canete of Philippines with 15 goals, while Raksina Rueangsappaisan of Thailand clinched the Women’s award with 14 goals. #SportPlusSG #TeamSingapore #WaterPolo #InterNationsCup

Encouraged by Singapore Sports School staff and her mother in 2009, this former Sports School Shooting Academy student athlete now represents Singapore in Modern Pentathlon - a sport of five disciplines 2019 SEA Games medalist Shermaine Tung will compete at the Australian Modern Pentathlon Nationals in Melbourne, with Modern Pentathlon not featuring at the Vietnam SEA Games. PHOTO: SHERMAINE TUNG Recovering from a spinal surgery after being thrown off a horse during a training session, Singapore modern pentathlete Shermaine Tung is remaining positive as she prepares herself for her next competition in Melbourne. For most of us, competing in one (sports) event is hard enough as it is. Tung however, represents Singapore in not just one but five diverse sports in the Modern Pentathlon . The Modern Pentathlon is a 5-discipline sport consisting of equestrian show jumping, fencing, swimming and the laser run (cross-country running and pistol shooting). Shermaine Tung remains upbeat in spite of her recent spinal injury and is raring to make a return to competitive action. PHOTO: SHERMAINE TUNG After the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games, it was decided that equestrian show jumping would be removed from the Games after the Paris 2024 edition and replaced with another sport. Journey into Modern Pentathlon Tung’s journey in the sport began in 2009 when the Singapore Modern Pentathlon Association was conducting a recruitment drive at her school. She was then a student athlete at the Singapore Sports School’s shooting academy. With a little encouragement from the staff at Sports School and her mother, she gathered the courage to try out something completely new. Shermaine Tung won her first SEA Games medal at the last Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines in 2019. PHOTO: SHERMAINE TUNG Tung is able to conduct most of her training at the Singapore Sports School and does riding at the National Equestrian Centre . Her weekly training schedule allocates time for each sport which includes swimming three times a week, running four times a week, fencing twice a week, to name a few. It is no surprise that a sport as demanding as this comes with its own set of challenges. For Tung, the most challenging things are the financial costs of training and competitions, and the high risk of injury. “Modern Pentathlon is a sport dominated by Europe and most competitions are based in countries far away from home. To clock in competition experience and results, we usually have to set aside an average of five thousand dollars for one competition.” “Training is also self-funded and horse riding is not the pocket-friendliest sport to learn.” “In addition, horse riding comes with great risk of injury. Just recently, I was thrown off a horse and had to undergo surgery for my spine.” Shermaine Tung has a love for horses, despite an injury that required to undergo spinal surgery after falling off a horse in training. PHOTO: SHERMAINE TUNG In 2019, Tung won Singapore’s first SEA Games medal for the Modern Pentathlon and recalls this experience along with finishing in podium position at the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) world championship in the triathle event as two key highlights of her career so far. “Winning medals is definitely something to pat yourself on the back for and be content about, but knowing it’s the first medal for the sport, hits different.” Unfortunately, Modern Pentathlon is not set to be featured in the upcoming SEA Games in Vietnam. However, Tung will instead be competing in the upcoming Australian Modern Pentathlon Nationals, held in Melbourne. This being her first competition overseas since the pandemic whilst still battling recovery from her recent surgery, Tung is cautiously optimistic and hopes to be able to perform within expectations. Family means everything - Shermaine Tung with her mother and sister. PHOTO: SHERMAINE TUNG Tung describes the diversity of her sport as one of the main factors that keeps her motivated. Support from her sport-supportive family and partner also keeps her going. Between her busy training schedule, Tung tries to find time for another thing she enjoys, which is creating content. Her content focuses on topics such as fitness, sports, health and occasionally, beauty. “The one thing that makes me happy is when people tell me they get inspired by my content. Hopefully after that, they lead a healthier lifestyle, and that’s a win-win.” You can follow her journey and show your support for Shermaine via her socials on TikTok or Instagram . #SportPlusSG #ModernPentathlon #ShermaineTung

Loh Kean Yew and rising star Jason Teh joins Men's Doubles pair in Men's Singles semis, Insyirah Khan and Bernice Lim secure last four berth against Indonesians Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti Terry Hee and Loh Kean Hean booked their Men's Doubles semi-final berth after defeating Thai pair Peeratchai Sukphun and Pakkapon Teeraratsakul. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Bac Giang, Vietnam, 21 May 2022 - Singapore shuttlers Terry Hee and Loh Kean Hean have secured at least another SEA Games bronze medal, after the pair reached the men's doubles semi-finals yesterday, overcoming Thai duo Peeratchai Sukphun and Pakkapon Teeraratsakul 21-18, 21-13 in the quarter-final round. In so doing, they equalled Danny Bawa Chrisnanta and Chayut Triyachat's achievement at the Singapore 2015 SEA Games, the last time Singapore reached the last four of the Southeast Asian Games for the Men's Doubles competition. Thai duo Peeratchai Sukphun and Pakkapon Teeraratsakul lost out to Singapore's Terry Hee and Loh Kean Hean in the men's doubles quarter finals. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Hee and Loh will next contest a place in the final with top-seeded Indonesian shuttlers Pramudya Kusumawardana and Yeremia Rambitan. Hee and Loh's doubles chemistry has grown significantly over the past 12 months, and the pair shot to prominence when they lifted the Dutch Open Men's Doubles trophy in October last year. Loh Kean Yew leaps high to smash in his quarter final clash with Jewel Angel Albo of the Philippines. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Men's Singles In the men's singles, Singapore's top male shuttler Loh Kean Yew stayed on course for his first SEA Games badminton men's singles gold medal, and Singapore's first since 1983, after he defeated Philippines' Jewel Angel Albo 21-7, 21-8 in the last eight to set up a semi-final clash with Vietnam's Nguyen Tien Minh. Nguyen booked his place in the semis after his quarter final opponenent Khosit Phetpradab of Thailand retired through injury while trailing in the first set. Loh currently ranked world number 10, will fancy his chances of making the final against Vietnam's world number 69, to set up a possible all-Singapore final with teammate Jason Teh, who also made it through to the last four of the men's singles competition. Loh Kean Yew in action at the Bac Giang Gymnasium during the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Teh had defeated Indonesia's Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo 21-16, 21-16 to set up a clash with world number 18 Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, and will enter the fixture as the underdog. Singapore has only ever won the badminton men's singles title once at the Southeast Asian Games through Wong Shoon Keat. Women's Doubles In the badminton women's doubles competition, Singapore's Insyirah Khan and Bernice Lim also sealed progress to the semi-final stage after defeating Angelique Ramos and Eleanor Inlayo of the Philippines 21-15, 21-19. The duo are the first Singaporean pair to secure a bronze in the Women's Doubles competition since Yao Lei and Shinta Mulia Sari, who made the last four of the 2011 SEA Games at the Senayan Sports Complex in Jakarta, Indonesia. Their path to the final is a challenging one however, as they face top-seeded Indonesians Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti in their semi-final. Terry Hee stretches to return a shot during the Men's Doubles quarter finals at the Bac Giang Gymnasium. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG No Joy for Mixed Doubles and Women's Singles There was no joy however for Singapore's top female shuttler Yeo Jia Min, who was eliminated from the Women's Singles after falling 12-21, 16-21 to Thailand's Phittayaporn Chaiwan. Singapore also did not make the semi-finals of the mixed doubles competition after Terry Hee and Tan Wei Han were defeated by Malaysians Chen Tang Jie and Peck Yen Wei. For more 31st SEA Games badminton photos taken by SportPlus.sg, visit our photo gallery here. #SportPlusSG #SEAGames31 #Badminton

2019 SEA Games Marathon champions fail to defend marathon titles as Vietnam and Thailand top athletics medal tally of 31st SEA Games Thailand's Tony Payne leading the men's marathon race early on. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Hanoi, Vietnam, 20 May 2022 - Vietnam and Indonesia have swept the 31st SEA Games marathon titles, as Vietnam bags a first ever gold medal in the men's marathon in the Southeast Asian Games. 27 year-old Vietnamese Hoang Nguyen Thanh crossed the finish line in the My Dinh Stadium in 2 hours and 25:08 minutes, to secure the 127th gold medal for host nation Vietnam in the medal tally. Watch highlights of the 31st SEA Games marathon and post race inteview clips with Singapore's athletes here on SPORTPLUS.SG Hoang was previously a bronze medalist for the marathon event at the Singapore 2015 SEA Games. 2019 SEA Games gold medalist Agus Prayogo snagged the silver medal for Indonesia with a time of 2:25:38 as he just narrowly failed to defend his title, while Thailand's Tony Payne came in third at 2:26:40, having led the race for a lengthy duration in the men's event. Malaysia's Noor Amelia Musa turning a corner in the women's marathon race at the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG The women's marathon also saw a new winner as Indonesia’s Odekta Naibaho bagged gold, crossing the finish line with a time of 2 hours and 55.28 minutes. Christine Hallasgo of the Philippines, winner of the 2019 SEA Games women's marathon, settled for silver with a time of 2 hours and 56.07 minutes. Singapore's Melvin Wong during the men's marathon event at the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Hallasgo finished a minute short of defending the gold she won in the 2019 SEA Games despite eclipsing her gold medal run timing of 2:56:56. Vietnam’s Hoang Thi Ngoc Hoa claimed the bronze at 2:57.35 to complete the top three. Flag off for the men's marathon finals at the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, notably without double gold medal winner Soh Rui Yong for the second SEA Games running, took to the race with Melvin Wong (2:45:42), Daniel Leow (3:02:03), Jasmine Goh (3:10:33) and Sharon Tan (3:22:52) to complete a field of 20 endurance athletes at the 31st SEA Games Marathon. Daniel Leow of Singapore was one of two representatives for the men's marathon. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Under difficult race conditions that saw three men's competitors including Muhaizar Mohamad of Malaysia and Jerald Zabala of the Philippines retiring prematurely, Singapore representative Melvin Wong also struggled and collapsed after crossing the finishing line in the My Dinh Stadium. Wong, 39, shared with SportPlus.sg: "It was a tough race, we had eight loops to conquer and there wasn't anywhere to hide." The women's marathon event saw a field of seven competitors. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG "I told myself every lap I look forward to the lady behind the camera now, the water point, the supporters and that's what kept me going. I'm very glad to finish the race and I look forward to reconnecting with everyone back at home." Singapore's Jasmine Goh, mother of two, poses for the cameras post race. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG His female compatriot Jasmine Goh, competing in her second SEA Games, was in jovial and gracious mood despite the gruelling event, saying she "had fun" with Team Singapore, and thanked Vietnam for being good hosts of the event. Singapore's Sharon Tan, winner of the 2019 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon Women's Event, entering her final lap in the My Dinh Stadium. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG "Despite my age, I can still represent Singapore this is such an honour. Those back home, thank you for rooting for Team Singapore, we'll be back soon and I would like to congratulate the Track and Field team who did really well this time," said the 43 year-old single mother of two. Vietnam tops the athletics competitions for the third straight SEA Games with 22 golds, 15 silvers, and 8 bronzes, while Thailand places second with 12 golds, 11 silvers, and 8 bronzes. The Philippines finished overall third in the athletics medal tally, taking home 5 golds, 7 silvers, and 14 bronzes. For more 31st SEA Games marathon photos taken by SportPlus.sg, visit our photo gallery here. #SportPlusSG #SEAGames31 #Marathon

Water Polo Men’s teams victorious in opening matches of Inter Nations Cup 2022, mixed results for Singapore Women’s teams Singapore's water polo teams got their first taste of action since the Covid-19 pandemic halted all competitions. PHOTO: CHEAH CHENG POH, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION Singapore 18 May, Singapore - Despite having not played a competitive match against their regional rivals for over two years, Singapore’s men’s water polo teams showed no signs of rustiness as they won their opening matches at the inaugural Singapore Water Polo Inter-Nations Cup at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on Wednesday. Singapore, who is fielding two teams in both the Men’s and Women’s competitions, saw the much senior team, Singapore A, comprising of stalwarts like Koh Jian Ying, Ang An Jun and Loh Zhizhi and young guns in Jayden See and Goh Wenzhe, overcome a spirited Thailand team by 11-6. The scores were level at 3-3 during the half-time break, but an unanswered 4 goal burst during the third quarter gave Singapore A the cushion to pull away for the win. Bryan Ong led all Singapore scorers with 4 goals, with Yu Junjie, Koh and See -the trio bagging a brace each, and Loh also getting on the scoresheet. Phatsakorn Maneejohn top scored for Thailand with 2 goals. Singapore Women's Water Polo team. PHOTO: CHEAH CHENG POH, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION Kan Aoyogi: We hope to keep improving “I am pleased with how the boys played tonight. This is their first competitive game in more than two years, so it was no surprise that it was a slow start from them. However, once they found their rhythm, we could see that they enjoyed themselves out there. Definitely there are things that we will be working on, and we hope to keep improving as the competition progresses”, said Kan Aoyogi, head coach for Singapore A. Singapore B, comprising mostly of the national youth development players, including SEA Games bronze medalist Tang Yee Heng, emerged victorious in the Causeway Derby against neighbours Malaysia in a convincing 20-6 win. Vicknessh Mathiwanen top scored for Singapore with 5 goals, while Tang and Derek Chan contributed 4 goals each in the victory. Malaysia’s goals were shared between Bryan Wong, Lee Jia Chen and Abraham Chin with two goals apiece. The Singapore men's Water Polo team captain with Mr Kon Yin Tong, Sport Singapore chairman. PHOTO: CHEAH CHENG POH, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION Head coach for Singapore B, Eugene Teo, said “Causeway derbies are never easy because of the passion between both countries. I am happy with how we performed today. I liked how we managed to control the game from the start. Hopefully we can build on today’s performance for the rest of the competition.” The opening game of the men’s competition saw the clash between the gold and silver medalists of the 2019 SEA Games, Indonesia, and Philippines. Defending SEA Games champions Indonesia proved too strong for the Philippines, as they cruised to a 15-7 victory, with a 6-goal burst in the 4th quarter to seal victory after the scores were level after three quarters. Ahmad Fauzi Mappatabe led the Indonesians with 4 goals, while Hamid Ferdaus chipped in with a hat-trick. Juan Pablo Serrano led the Philippines with 2 goals. Singapore Women's Water Polo team. PHOTO: CHEAH CHENG POH, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION Women's Competition: Thailand reigns supreme In the women’s competition, reigning SEA Games champions Thailand, showed why they have been kings of women’s water polo in the region for the past few years when they hammered Singapore B 18-2 in their opening game. Thanidakarn Kwantongtanaree, Kritsana Puangtong and Raksina Rueangsappaisan led the scoring with a hat-trick each for Thailand, while Singapore scored through Mikayla Hoi and Charlene Tio. There was however joy for Singapore A when they trounced neighbours Malaysia in the Causeway Derby, emerging 19-1 winners. The Koh sisters were instrumental in the victory, with team captain Ting Ting and younger sister Xiao Li leading the way with a hat-trick each. Singapore’s other goal scorers were Melissa Chan with also a hat-trick, along with braces by Ong Cheng Jing, Nadine Thinagaran and Chow Yen Teng, and a goal each from Ranice Yap, Gisele Wang, Nicole Lim and Clarisse Gan. #SportPlusSG #TeamSingapore #WaterPolo #InterNationsCup

Sng's win adds to two more medals won by Singapore Athletics, with Tan Zong Yang clinching an historic first bronze in 47 years for Men's 400m Michelle Sng cleared a height of 1.75m to take home silver, adding to the gold medal she had won at the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur and the bronze medal in the 2015 edition on home soil . PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Hanoi, Vietnam, 15 May 2022 - Michelle Sng has won a silver medal in the Women's High Jump event at the 31st SEA Games today. Watch Michelle Sng's medal presentation ceremony and our SEA Games highlights for 15 May here on Studio Plus. She was joined on the podium by Vietnamese duo - Pham Thi Diem who cleared 1.78m to clinch gold, and bronze medalist Pham Quynh Giang who cleared a height of 1.70m. Mens's 400m Sprint Final History was made in the Men's 400m Final, as Tan Zong Yang clinched an historic bronze medal in the men's 400m sprint final. His time of 47.46s put an end to a 47 year-long medal wait in the event for Singapore. Tan Zong Yang speaking with members of media after his 400m finals. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Finishing ahead of him were Thailand’s Joshua Atkinson who took home the gold with a timing of 46.44sec and Vietnam’s Phuc Le Ngoc who placed second with a timing of 47.27sec. Singapore athlete Thiruben Thana Rajan also competed in the final and finished seventh with a timing of 48.22sec, a signifcant achievement having come back from a broken toe two months before the Games. Tan Zong Yang (left most), and Thiruben Thana Rajan (second from left) in the men's 400m final at the My Dinh National Stadium, Vietnam. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The current national record for men's 400m is held by Zubin Percy Muncherji set on 13 May 2018 at the Big Ten Championships in Bloomington, USA. Women's 3,000m Steeplechase In the evening's distance event 26 year-old Cheryl Chan clocked a time of 11 min 48.37 sec to come in fifth in the women's 3,000m steeplechase event. #SportPlusSG #SEAGames31 #TeamSingapore #Athletics

Having last featured at the 2003 Vietnam SEA Games, Singapore women's football will grace the regional stage again and it's a dream come true for 19 year old Lioness Dorcas Chu Dorcas Chu, alongside the rest of the Singapore women's football team, will be making her first appearance at the SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam next month. PHOTO: FELIX GALISTAN, SPORTPLUS.SG The last time the Singapore women's football team featured at the Southeast Asian Games in 2003, she was less than a year old. For 19 year-old lioness Dorcas Chu , being able to represent Singapore for football at the SEA Games has been a dream come true. In fact, ever since she first donned the Singapore national jersey at the age of 12 for the Girls U14 team, representing her country at the regional showpiece has been a personal goal. Watch our full video interview with Dorcas Chu on Studio Plus here. Chu could hardly contain her excitement as she shared with us the waves of support that have poured in for her and the Singapore women's football team in recent months, including during the FAS Women's Tri-Nations tournament , something which she describes as "overwhelming" and made her "feel like a superstar". Having first kicked a ball a decade ago at the age of nine, Chu has grown to become and integral part of the women's football squad through the age group teams and was rewarded with a call up to the senior side. Dorcas Chu showing some tricks and flicks in a TikTok video shoot as part of the TikTok x Sport Plus 31st SEA Games partnership. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The Lion City Sailors midfielder also contributed in front of goal for the Lionesses recently at Jalan Besar Stadium, nodding home a corner kick in the second half after coming on as a substitute in Singapore's 6-2 thumping of Seychelles in the first ever ticketed women's football match in Singapore. When asked if she plans to play overseas one day, Chu was quick to dismiss the idea in the short term, choosing to instead focus on the short term and to simply enjoy playing her football for now. Dorcas Chu has a laugh during a training session at Geylang Field with the Lionesses. PHOTO: FELIX GALISTAN, SPORTPLUS.SG She however did not rule out the idea entirely, should the opportunity arise in the future. "I still get asked a lot about whether I would like to play overseas. I think it's great that Danelle and Putri are goal driven and are choosing to pursue their professional football dreams." "But that's not for me, at least for now," said the year 3 Temasek Polytechnic student. Donning the Singapore crest means a lot to Dorcas Chu each time she represents her country, and it will be no different at the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. PHOTO: FELIX GALISTAN, SPORTPLUS.SG The 31st Southeast Asian Games will be taking place from 12 - 23 May 2022 in Hanoi, Vietnam. SportPlus.sg is pleased to join hands with TikTok, the world's fastest growing social media platform, to shine the spotlight on the journeys of 10 of Singapore's SEA Games athletes in this 8-part series, and assist athletes with TikTok content creation to amplify their online presence for the Games. The Singapore women's football team in training pre SEA Games. PHOTO: FELIX GALISTAN, SPORTPLUS.SG Sp ecial thanks to Team Singapore, Singapore Athletics, Singapore Badminton Association, Basketball Association of Singapore, Football Association of Singapore, Singapore Silat Federation, Singapore Swimming, Volleyball Association of Singapore, Singapore Underwater Federation, ActiveSG Sport Centres and Chinese Swimming Club for supporting this series. #SportPlusSG #TikTokSingapore #SEAGames31 #GoTeamSG

Kim Shin Wook’s hat-trick guides Sailors to 4-3 win with late goals from Pedro Bortoluzo and Andre Moritz insufficient for injury-hit Hougang to mount comeback Kim Shin-wook and Maxime Lestienne celebrate a Sailors goal at Hougang Stadium. PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Singapore, 7 May 2022 - Spectator limits lifted, food and beverages allowed into stadiums, masks made optional in the stands – the spirit of the AIA Singapore Premier League returned with aplomb at the Hougang Stadium on Friday night (May 6). The record crowd witnessed the Lion City Sailors’ dazzling display led by Maxime Lestienne and hat-trick hero Kim Shin Wook as they romped to a 4-3 away win over Hougang United, conceding two late goals in what was an otherwise dominant performance. Playing their seventh match in 21 days, the Sailors opened the second of four rounds of SPL fixtures with a victory to go seven points clear – with an extra game played – of Tanjong Pagar United and Tampines Rovers. Hougang were hand-tied by availability issues – under-23 defender Nazhiim Harman was out through suspension, Singapore international Zulfahmi Arifin was away on SEA Games duty, whilst the trio of first-choice goalkeeper Ridhuan Barudin, Shawal Anuar and Idraki Adnan were ruled out with injuries. For the Sailors, besides losing under-23 players Nur Adam and Saifullah Akbar to SEA Games duty, they had a fully-fit squad available. Tajeli Salamat was still absent from the matchday squad after breaking curfew during their ACL campaign in Buriram, but M. Anumanthan returned to the bench. The away team began the game where they left off domestically when they thrashed Tanjong Pagar United 6-1 – with clockwork passing and laborious intensity chasing down every loose ball. Song Uiyong (right) congratulates Kim Shin-wook after a goal, one of three for Kim against the Cheetahs in the match. PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Just fifteen minutes in, midfielder Anaqi Ismit, awarded a rare start to fulfill the Sailors’ under-23 player requirement, sent a perfectly-timed lofted ball towards winger Maxime Lestienne. The Belgian comfortably slotted past Hougang goalkeeper Mukundan Maran who was caught in no man’s land to give the Sailors the advantage. The Sailors doubled their advantage minutes later when nifty footwork from Song Ui-Young on the edge of the box found forward Kim Shin Wook, who swiveled from back-to-goal to fire a rocket into the top corner. Hougang were handed a lifeline when Farhan Zulkifli’s cross was poorly dealt with by right-back Amirul Adli, whose headed clearance fell straight into Brazilian Andre Moritz’s path on the edge of the box. The playmaker made no mistake rolling the ball into the bottom corner, leaving goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud rooted to the spot. Shahdan Sulaiman dictating the game in midfield for the Sailors at Hougang Stadium. PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Right before the break, the Sailors restored their two-goal cushion when Lestienne’s point blank shot was smartly saved by Mukundan, but Kim Shin Wook was first to react to the rebound to head into an empty net. Kim completed his hat-trick on the hour mark, slamming home Song’s cutback to solidify the Sailors’ lead. The reigning champions had further chances to extend their advantage when Song missed from near range and Diego Lopes curled a shot narrowly over the bar from the penalty shot. The Cheetahs, buoyed by the home support, capitalized on the Sailors’ missed chances to pull a goal back in the 87th minute courtesy of Pedro Bortoluzo, before Moritz caught Izwan off his line with a mid-range lobbed shot with the last kick of the game. Andre Moritz nets one of a brace of goals against the Sailors for a weakened Hougang United side. PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Hougang head coach Clement Teo was quick to laud the effort from his players despite the defeat. “I have got Faiz Salleh who hasn’t played this season but completed 90 minutes today. This game gave players opportunities to play. I can’t ask for more. Every player is pushing and trying which is really important for us especially against a quality team like Sailors,” he said. When asked what his team could’ve improved on, coach Clement Teo said: “We could’ve kept the ball better and not rushed into things. The decision making could have been better. We were basically killed on the transitions in the first half.” Sailors manager Kim Do-Hoon said: “It is a very difficult schedule, but my players did not give up until the final whistle. The score line doesn’t reflect the chances we created. We need to be more clinical in front of goal.” On Kim Shin Wook’s hat-trick, he said: “He (Kim) played a big part in today’s win but it’s not about individuals. All the goals were team goals. He is taking care of himself well and coming back to full fitness, I’m sure he will score more goals.” The Sailors face Geylang International next Saturday (May 14) at the Jalan Besar Stadium, keen to avenge their only defeat of the season. Hougang will play host to Tanjong Pagar United on the same day at 5.30pm. AIA Singapore Premier League 2022 Other Game Week 8 Fixtures Tanjong Pagar United vs Albirex Niigata Sat, 7 May 2022, Jurong East Stadium Tampines Rovers vs Balestier Khalsa Sun, 8 May 2022, Our Tampines Hub #SportPlusSG #Football #SingaporePremierLeague #SingaporeFootball

In the first of two parts of our Decathlon bicycles review, we share our thoughts on three folding bicycles otherwise known as foldies, a popular category among leisure cyclists Foldable bicycles are a popular choice among leisure cyclists. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Cycling has picked up tremendously over the past two years, as people find themselves stuck on the island with a need for new hobbies during the pandemic. At one point, there was even a shortage of bicycles as they were sold out nearly everywhere, including the higher-end model bicycles. Watch our full review above as Gene Leck, Cheryl Tay and John Yeong took 3 of Decathlon's foldies out for a ride. VIDEO CREDIT: FELIX GALISTAN, SPORTPLUS.SG Now that stocks have been replenished and in-person cycling events such as the OCBC Cycle 2022 are finally back, you may be on a lookout for a bicycle that suits your needs but are unsure of what to get. Here we review six bicycles from mega sporting goods retailer Decathlon Singapore over two parts to help riders like you: Decathlon has a wide range of bicycles, from folding bikes to hybrid bikes, road bikes, city bikes and mountain bikes. Who will win the bicycles folding challenge and finish first - Gene or John? Watch to find out. VIDEO CREDIT: FELIX GALISTAN, SPORTPLUS.SG While cycling can be quite an expensive sport, thanks to Decathlon it has been made a lot more affordable for average and amateur cyclists who are just looking to get in on the fun without breaking the bank, and also not compromising too much on quality. In part one of our review, we review folding bicycles otherwise known as foldies. Gene Leck takes the Tilt 500 XS 14in foldable bicycle out for a ride. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Folding Bikes Foldable bicycles (or folding bikes) are easy to get around with, as they are without the usual limitations you find in those bicycles that are full-sized. In Singapore where we don’t have the luxury of space for our homes, a folding bike is a great option if you are looking to save some space at home. The three of us – John, Gene and myself – had the opportunity recently to each take a foldie out for a ride to test them out courtesy of Decathlon Singapore, and here are our thoughts. One of the greatest selling points of the Tilt 500XS 14in folding bicycle is how compact it can become, enabling you to even bring them onto the train should you wish to. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Tilt 500 XS 14in Folding Bike ($360) Tested by Gene in our Review Video At 8.98kg, this is an incredibly light aluminum bike, hence making it easy to carry around. It comes in one size that fits all riders from 145cm to 180cm. Its small wheels and single-speed drivetrain mean this bike is not meant for you to go fast, but it certainly will do its job to help you commute conveniently. The frame and stem is easy to fold – in just 30 seconds. When folded, its dimensions are 60 x 66 x 38 cm – really compact! The stand and seat post are theft-proof and you get a lifetime warranty on the frame, stem (excl. hinge), rigid fork and handlebar. Close-up of the Tilt 500XS 14in folding bicycle. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Gene’s thoughts: It looks very cute and I like that it is small and compact. It comes with a cute handle that makes it easy to carry around, especially if I need to carry it around when I’m commuting via train. The only limitation would be that it only has one speed so if you’re looking for something speedy, then this might not be the bike for you. Find out more about the Tilt 500 XS 14in Folding Bike here. John Yeong with the Tilt 120 20in 6sp folding bicycle. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Tilt 120 20in 6sp Folding Bike ($290) Tested by John in our Review Video This is a slightly bigger folding bike, weighing in at 14.5kg and measuring at 78 x 66 x 38cm. It is of one size that fits riders from 145cm to 185cm. This also conforms to LTA regulations so you can fold it up (in 30 seconds) and bring it onboard buses and trains. The pedals can fold up too, so this makes it even more compact, taking up only 26cm in width. Made of steel (steel frame and fork) for more durability, this bike comes with steel low-rise bars with a rise of 60mm so you can find a position on the bike to suit your body. The non-adjustable folding stem however, is made from aluminum for increased rigidity. The Tilt 120 20in 6sp folding bicycle can easily be packed into your car boot or trunk. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG For the ride, it comes with a six-speed drivetrain designed for various riding conditions where you can shift to the appropriate gear accordingly, making it easy to set off and quick on flat ground as well. There’s a double chain guard in place to stop your chain from jumping and also to protect it from dirt. Tyres are 20-inch, developed by Decathlon for a balance between performance and grip. John’s thoughts: I like it because it is convenient, based on my lifestyle and needs, as I am not a serious road cyclist. It felt like a smooth ride, is of a very affordable price and even comes with six speeds for easy change of gears. It’s also good that it is very portable, thus it can be easily folded and stored in my car trunk. In fact, this is my preferred bicycle which I use to cycle between the office and Sports Hub for meetings, beyond just cycling in the parks. Find out more about the Tilt 120 20in 6sp Folding Bike here. Cheryl Tay with the Tilt 500 7sp Folding Bike. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Tilt 500 7sp Folding Bike ($360) Tested by Cheryl in our Review Video With an aluminum frame and a steel fork, this bike has the same dimensions as the TILT 120, but weighs a little lighter, at 13kg. It also fits all riders from 145cm to 185cm. This bike however, is the quickest to unfold of the three, taking only 15 seconds. The sweetest thing about this is the Shimano seven-speed derailleur, which makes it really easy to ride on any gradient so you can adapt your effort accordingly. Close-up of the Tilt 500 7sp Folding Bike. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Going up overhead bridges or simply accelerating on a straight path would both be effortless. The Shimano Revo-Shift makes the process smoother as you can change gear swiftly and precisely. This would be a bike that is great for commute, but also suitable if you want to take it for longer rides for exercise or for exploring areas of different elevation. This bike will be available in Orange at Decathlon stores in May 2022. The Tilt 500 7sp Folding Bike comes with Shimano Revo-shift, allowing for smoother change of gears. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Cheryl’s thoughts: I’ve only been cycling on the roads on a road bike so this has been a refreshing experience for me. This model especially, gets up to speed quickly with its seven-speed drivetrain, and is able to cope with undulating terrain so you don’t struggle too much. Best part, it can be folded away easily in mere seconds and taken along with you on the bus or train as part of your commute. Find out more about the Tilt 500 7sp Folding Bike here. #DecathlonSG #Cycling #Bicycles #Foldies #Reviews

Understanding the new format of the Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift, and the title contenders to look out for Aurelien Raphael taking the first dive into Marina Reservoir during the Athlete Familiarisation Day. PHOTO: SUPER LEAGUE TRIATHLON 6 May 2022, Singapore - The first-ever triathlon esports World Champions will be crowned against the backdrop of Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands tomorrow (7 May) as the world’s top triathletes battle it out in the Singapore Grand Final of the Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift. Held at the Marina Bay area, the event boasts a highly competitive field of triathletes which includes the likes of 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games champions Alex Yee, Jess Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown. The Arena Games Triathlon Series held its inaugural event in Rotterdam in 2020, and became an official World Championship this year following a partnership between Super League Triathlon and World Triathlon. Points won in each event will contribute to the World Triathlon’s world rankings. Singaporean Louisa Marie Middleditch takes a swim at Marina Reservoir ahead of the Grand Final of the Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift. PHOTO: SUPER LEAGUE TRIATHLON Innovated during the height of the pandemic, the Arena Games Triathlon format was designed to deal with various restrictions imposed to safeguard public health. Real-life and virtual racing was thus combined to bring both its physical and TV audiences closer to the action under pandemic conditions. Popular training program, Zwift, is connected to curved treadmills and smart trainers which the athletes use for their run and bike segments respectively. These segments will take place under tentage set up in between the Louis Vuitton and Apple stores at the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza, with the swim some 150 metres away in the Marina Reservoir. Details on how to watch can be found here. Justus Nieschlag emerges from the waters of Marina Bay during athlete familiarisation day. PHOTO: SUPER LEAGUE TRIATHLON Singapore is the final of three events in this year’s Arena Games Triathlon Series, and the only one to be held outdoors. The previous two events were held in Munich (9 April) and London (23 April). Here are four title contenders to watch for this weekend: Aurelian Raphael during an interview with SportPlus.sg PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Aurelien Raphael Though he may be relatively unknown compared to some of his competitors, Aurelien Raphael has truly come into his own in the Arena Games Triathlon Series. Raphael took the win in the first event this season held in Munich and is slated as the favourite for the title by Super League Triathlon Co-Founder Chris McCormack. Regarding his chances for the title, Raphael is quietly confident. “It’s not my first competition in the Super League, I know this discipline, so it’s good,” he said. Alex Yee in an interview with SportPlus.sg. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Alex Yee As the most successful male triathlete in a single Olympic Games, Alex Yee is undoubtedly one to watch this weekend. With his second place finish in the second event this season in London, Yee is well and truly in with a shout for the title. “I’m quite relaxed about this event, I’m just really happy to be in Singapore,” said Yee. Beth Potter Consistency has been season-defining for Potter who won the opening event in Munich this year and took second place in London. Furthermore, with London winner Cassandre Beaugrand absent in Singapore, Potter is the points leader and the one to beat on the women’s side. Jess Learmonth during an interview with SportPlus.sg PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Jess Learmonth Learmonth is highly acclaimed in the triathlon scene and could be Potter’s biggest threat. She took home Gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Triathlon Mixed Relay event alongside Yee and stood on the final step of the podium in the London event. “I think Beth’s vying for the win,” said Learmonth, “but we’ll give her a good go for her money I think, and it’ll be interesting to see how it goes.” The Arena Games Triathlon Format The Arena Games Triathlon is split into shorter stages instead of one long race following a swim-bike-run sequence as in traditional triathlons. The stages include a 200m swim, a 4km cycle, and a 1km run. In the heats, the athletes complete two stages of a swim-cycle-run sequence. The final includes three stages. The first stage is a swim-cycle-run sequence. The order is then reversed for Stage 2. Mass starts are employed in both stages. Aurelien Raphael taking the first dive into Marina Reservoir during the Athlete Familiarisation Day. PHOTO: SUPER LEAGUE TRIATHLON The Stage 1 and Stage 2 timings of the individual athletes will then be combined to form a leaderboard which determines the starting order of Stage 3. A pursuit start is then adopted in Stage 3 - the athletes are flagged off from fastest to slowest based on their standing in the combined timings. The heats for the Singapore event will be held today. Although 30 men and 20 women will take part in them, only 10 from each category will progress to the finals tomorrow. The Singapore event will also include a Corporate Race, the Singapore National Championships and a Tri Club Race. #SportPlusSG #Triathlon #AGTSingapore #SuperLeagueTriathlon

In the second part of our bicycles review, we test three hybrid bicycles from Decathlon's product catalogue to share the lowdown on each of them with you Hybrid bicycles are a great option if you are looking to clock longer distances on the weekends with your friends. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Having reviewed three foldable bikes in part one of our bicycles review series with Decathlon Singapore, we now turn our attention to hybrid bicycles. Hybrid bicycles, as the name suggests, is a combination of two genres of bicycles into one. In this case, you can probably tell from the design of the bicycles that it’s a fusion of the mountain bike and the road bike. Our three SportPlus hosts come from different cycling backgrounds with varying levels of experience, so their opinions reflect skills of different categories of cyclists more accurately. Hybrid Bikes Hybrid bicycles are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer great versatility for cyclists. As the name suggests, a hybrid bicycle is a mix of a road bike and a mountain bike with characteristics from both bikes put into the hybrid. For example, the straight handlebars, the suspension and the upright position come from the mountain bike. Essentially, a hybrid has the speed of a road bike with the comfort of a mountain bike. This makes it easy for cyclists to take this out on paved roads or gravel trails. Close-up of the wheel of the Riverside 500 Disc Brake 9sp Hybrid Bike. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG It is great for long or short distances over various types of terrain, making it highly suitable for commuting. Do note however, these are not meant to be used for mountain biking or BMX. Similar to the foldies, Gene, myself and John each took a hybrid bike out for a ride recently and here we share our thoughts on each of them. John Yeong went with the Rockrider ST 100 for our cycling expedition. He liked the stability of the bicycle especially when crossing between different terrains. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Rockrider ST 100 27.5in 21sp Sport Bike ($370) Tested by John in our Review Video This alloy sport bike offers a high riding position and suitable for recreational sport cycling on most terrain. It comes in five different sizes of about 15.8kg in weight. The suspension has a 80mm front shock absorber that helps you to overcome rugged pavements, which is good for beginners, with mechanical springs that are easy to maintain. It comes with a 3 x seven-speed sprocket (21 speeds!), essentially three gear ranges you can choose from the three-chain sp rocket wheel depending on your terrain. A strong but light frame is another plus point for the Rockrider ST 100. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The seat is welded, so it’s fixed and prevents movement when riding, for higher comfort. The sport bike also has a unique wider Ergofit seat so it can help to cushion bumpy roads and give you comfort for longer durations of time. One good thing about these hybrid bikes is not having to worry about cracks, holes and bumps on the roads too much. This bike has a 27.5-inch double-layer 28-spoke rim with 27.5-inch tyres that are perfect for beginners. The Rockrider ST 100 is lower end than the Riverside bikes from the Hyrbid range but does not compromise much on quality. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The front wheel of this bike comes with quick release, so that you can quickly take out the front wheel if you need to store it into a car. The rear wheel however, has a fixing nut so it will not get stolen easily, but that means you will need a wrench to remove it. John’s thoughts: I like the frame and how sturdy it is. The Rockrider feels the best fit for someone like me. I also feel secure going across different terrains like gravel and grass, not just on the road. Find out more about the Rockrider ST 100 27.5in 21sp Sport Bike here. Gene Leck likes the comfort of the saddle, particular when riding over humps and up slopes even when not wearing padded tights. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Riverside 500 Disc Brake 9sp Hybrid Bike ($400) Tested by Gene in our Review Video With a newly redesigned alloy frame, this unisex hybrid bike is a little lighter at 13.9kg. Similarly, it can be taken on roads and gravel paths. It has a low design that makes it easy for both men and women to mount. It comes with a nine-speed drivetrain, giving you more flexibility to access different gradients. For better stopping power, this bike comes with mechanical front and rear disc brakes. Close-up shot of the saddle of the Riverside 500 Disc Brake 9sp Hybrid Bike. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The saddle is an Ergofit ergonomic foam saddle for comfort and the aluminum seat post has graduations so you can adjust it easily and remember exactly what your saddle height is. The saddle is a quick-release as well, so you don’t need any tools to adjust your saddle height. Both the aluminum front and rear hubs come with quick release so the wheels can be taken off without much difficulty. Close-up of the wheel of the Riverside 500 Disc Brake 9sp Hybrid Bike. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Gene’s thoughts: The greatest selling point of this bicycle has got to be the seat, because I was initially worried that I would suffere abrasions or pain without wearing a proper shammy or padded tights, but it turned out to be really comfortable even when going across slopes and bumps! In terms of control, the bicycle was also pretty easy to use and not too difficult to maneuvre. Find out more about the Riverside 500 Disc Brake 9sp Hybrid Bike here. Cheryl Tay went with the Riverside 900 Disc Brake 10sp hybrid bicycle. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Riverside 900 Disc Brake 10sp Hybrid Bike ($590) Tested by Cheryl in our Review Video The lightest and most versatile of the three, this bike weighs 13.2kg. Similar to the Riverside 500, it comes with quick-release wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, ergonomic seat, graduated aluminum seat post and quick tool-free seat release for easy adjustment, as well as quick release on both front and rear wheels. Where it’s different, the Riverside 900 comes with a 10-speed drivetrain for more gear options. The suspension fock is lockable and adjustable in stiffness too. The tyres are puncture-resistant as well, something that is very useful, especially if you are not familiar with what to do in times of a flat. Close-up of the Riverside 900 Disc Brake 10sp hybrid bicycle. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Cheryl’s thoughts: I’ve been on a road bike for six years now and there are limitations to where I can go. For example, I can’t take it to Coney Island with my friends! With this hybrid bicycle though, I have more options to ride and not have to worry about the terrain. The Riverside 900 is a decent ride too, with 10 speeds and adjustable suspension! Find out more about the Riverside 900 Disc Brake 10sp Hybrid Bike here. Close-up of the handlebar of the Riverside 900 Disc Brake 10sp hybrid bicycle. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG There are a lot of bicycles to choose from, so it really boils down to your budget, what suits your activity and your personal cycling objectives. Useful questions you may want to ask yourself include: Is this something you will be doing for a long time? Will you be using your bicycle for commute or are you also joining your friends for leisure rides? Is there space in your house to store the bikes? How important do the specifications of the bike mean to you? Is a basic bike sufficient for you or do you need more? How often will you be using the bike? These should all be considered when you are considering your bike purchase. Hopefully, our reviews of the six models here has been of some help for you. #DecathlonSG #Cycling #Bicycles #HybridBicycles #Reviews