NTU at the SEA Games

By Matthew Mohan & Nur Amyraa

Sports Editors

 

Chua Yini

25

Rugby

Alumni, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information

 

1) Winning a medal

In itself doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a piece of metal. What will stay with me are the memories of the team and how we worked hard, really hard, together. It was never about winning a medal but to reach our fullest potential as a team.

2) I couldn’t be happier with my Sea Games experience because

As an athlete I felt I had all the support we could wish for. We had a great coach and management team, resources from Sport Singapore, and of course all the supporters who turned up for our games.

 

Bernice Lim

23

Bowling

Alumni, School of Sports Science and Management

 

1) My first taste of the Games was

Amazing, especially to be representing Singapore on home soil. It definitely boosted my confidence knowing that my friends and family, and our fellow citizens were behind cheering us on.

2) My preparation for the Games involved

About 2 months of intensive training leading up to the Games. This included 3 hours of on-lane training five times a week, and 2 hour gym sessions thrice a week. I won’t reveal too much but being on home ground has its advantages and we were able to cover a lot more aspects in preparation for the Games.

3) My highlight of the Games would be

Winning the gold in the Trios event. It was my debut at the SEA Games and to be able to take home a medal, let alone gold, is really a memorable experience. We later found out in an interview that Singapore has not won the gold in the Trios event for 20 years! It was even more incredible knowing that we ended the wait for the gold.

 

 

 

Syahir Ezekiel Rafa’ee

25

Rowing

Year 2, School of Art, Design and Media

 

1) Having home ground advantage meant

More pressure from my friends and family, which was both a good and bad thing. They can finally support my races physically since they are not usually held in Singapore, but that also meant greater expectations for a medal.

2) The SEA Games was different from the other competitions I’ve participated in because

It meant a great deal to the Rowing Association. Most of the competitions I participated in had just as strong competition but the prestige that came with the SEA Games was like taking a major examination — we showcase everything we have been practising for the past few months. Of course, that would mean Asian Games or the Olympics would be akin to taking a PhD of sorts and would inevitably bring greater glory and honour to the country, the association and the sport.

3) My favourite part of the Games was

To see how my team had bonded. Despite adversities and the hiccups from our previous races, it was a great feeling to see how the team has grown. And of course, my memory of the SEA Games’ opening ceremony as I walked out onto the stadium, the cheers that I heard from fellow Singaporean supporters still bring chills down my spine.

 

 

 

Pang Sheng Jun

23

Swimming

Year 2, School of Sports Science and Management

 

1)  Winning an individual medal means

A lot to me as it has always been a dream for me and to do it on home soil just made the whole process more memorable. It was definitely a rough road for me as it took me 6 years. However, a life lesson that I have learnt from here is that as long as we work hard towards our dreams and don’t give up, we’ll definitely get there one day. I’m glad that I was able to finish the Games with 2 individual medals.

2) My biggest obstacle at the Games was

Fighting the psychological barrier on whether it was possible to win an individual medal for Singapore. I was having doubts about having a podium finish for my races as I’ve never done it before, even after trying my best for the past three SEA Games. However, looking at the preparation I had leading up to the recent SEA Games — from taking a semester off to train full time and having the best possible preparation, I was more confident in overcoming my mental obstacles.

3) The sacrifice of taking a semester off from school was

A big leap of faith because that meant that when my coursemates graduate, I’ll be stuck with one more semester in school. I will definitely feel a little left out when I see all of them graduate before me but that’s the small price to pay if I want to achieve my goals. I always believe that in life, we only get one chance in at everything, so we have to make full use of it. I feel that we should always chase our dreams, even if sacrifices have to be made — Because what’s the point of living life normally when we have a chance to be extraordinary?