Singapore Athletics come together to celebrate SEA Games Achievement

Athletes celebrate achievement

18 June 2015 – The Singapore Athletics (SA) family came together on Thursday night at the Hotel InterContinental to celebrate the achievements of Team Singapore Track and Field athletes at the 28^th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Singapore 2015.

The team of 74, led by Captain Kenneth Khoo, finished with a total of nine medals to cap a fantastic Games that was held on home soil, at the majestic National Stadium at Singapore Sports Hub.

Zhang Guirong retained her women’s shot put gold medal while Soh Rui Yong (Men’s marathon) and sprint queen Shanti Pereira (200m women’s) won their first ever SEA Games gold.

Our three silvers came from Rachel Yang (Pole Vault women), Dipna Lim Prasad in the women’s 400m Hurdles and the team of Calvin Kang, Gary Yeo, Lee Cheng Wei and Amirudin Jamal secured a silver finish in the men’s 4x100m.

There was more joy as Hannah Lee (discus), Michelle Sng (high jump) and Shanti Pereira (100m) rounded up the medal tally with a bronze each.

Not only did we score well in the medal haul, our national athletes also achieved greatness in their various disciplines.

A total of nine national records were broken while 16 athletes achieved their Personal Best during the Games.

This marks a resounding end to a successful SEA Games campaign, and SA President Mr Tang Weng Fei was pleased with the superb report card.

He said: “This was a homecoming for Singapore athletes after 22 years and not only did we surpass expectations, our athletes also delivered joy to Singaporeans from all walks of life. From Shanti’s coming of age at this Games to the men’s 4x100m quartet who stormed past the finishing line in second place. We also rewrote nine national records while 16 of our athletes achieved new highs.

“What was also evident was that Singaporeans loved athletics as much as we do. Over the course of the six-day campaign, thousands of supporters came down to the various venues to cheer for our Singapore athletes and it was a sight to behold. 

“We cannot sit back now as we must now use this springboard to improve and keep the crowd coming. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to not just the medal winners but to each and every one of the 74 athletes and their coaches for a fantastic job well done.”

With a newly minted crown as Southeast Asia’s fastest woman over 200m, 18-year-old Shanti was still trying to get over the euphoria of striking gold in front of the brilliant home fans.

“This is not my dream but also Singapore’s dream.” declared Shanti. “Every bit of training paid off and my coaches’ advice made it happen. When I realised Singapore had waited 42 years for this gold medal in the 200m (Glory Barnabas won it back in 1973), it was even sweeter.”

“There are many people to thank but one thing is for sure. I could not have done it without the fanatical support at home. When I walked out at the National Stadium for my races, looking up into the stands and seeing so many Singapore flags and faces made me want to go faster. My sprint journey has just started but this 28^th SEA Games on home soil, will always be one of my fondest memories.”

With a total of nine medals, nine national records and 16 personal bests attained, captain Kenneth was delighted that his final SEA Games was a memorable and successful one.

“When I was voted in to be captain of the Singapore Athletics team at this SEA Games, this was the kind of team spirit and achievements I wanted for us as a team. Everyone was encouraging one another and this is how it should be.

“I cannot be more happy to have led this truly remarkable team of 73 athletes and I hope, this is only the beginning to greater things for some of them. And of course, thank you to the wonderful supporters who were they over the course of five days giving us that extra boost to cross the finishing line.”