Latest news with #SingaporeAquatics
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Mikkel Lee gets back up to speed as Singapore swimmers eye 2028 Olympics spots
SINGAPORE – In 2023, Mikkel Lee's swimming career looked set to soar after he posted a blistering 47.25sec anchor leg in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay at the Asian Games in 2023 – the time was more than a second faster than Joseph Schooling's record of 48.27. His confidence, however, took a hit after he missed the cut for the Paris 2024 Olympics 50m and 100m freestyle. And when he did not meet the World Aquatics Championships (WCH) qualifying mark for his pet event, the 50m butterfly, at the Berlin Swim Open in April, he felt lost. The 22-year-old, who is studying finance at Indiana University, told The Straits Times: 'I was struggling in Berlin. I had three events, the 100m free, 50 fly and 50 free, and I was aiming to qualify on the 50 fly but I didn't have a great race as I had a terrible breakout that cost me quite a bit of time. 'I was alone in a foreign country, I had the 50 free left and I was losing my head. I felt the 50 fly was my one shot to make the world championships and I blew it.' A call with Singapore Aquatics technical director Sonya Porter helped Lee get back in the right headspace. Lee, who won the 50m fly gold at the 2023 SEA Games, said: 'She told me one bad swim doesn't make me a bad swimmer, and to go back and shut off everything. Close my eyes, and think of all the good races I had, like the Asian Games and SEA Games swims. That gave me the confidence I needed for the 50 free the next morning.' Eventually, he won the 50m freestyle final in 21.99 to go under the 22.05 WCH qualifying mark. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand after deadly clashes Asia 'Nothing like this has happened before': At least 16 dead as Thai-Cambodian conflict continues Multimedia Lights dim at South-east Asia's scam hub but 'pig butchering' continues Business Banking and finance jobs will change but won't disappear as AI becomes the new normal: Accenture Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Asia Hottest 'ticket' in Jakarta? Young Indonesians compete for a slot at singing club Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly He added: 'Making the cut was relief more than anything else, because I missed the Paris Olympics, and it's an event I haven't really made a breakthrough in, and I was hoping that I can piece everything together and have the perfect race.' Besides Porter's timely intervention, Lee also felt that he has become faster from training with bigger and stronger swimmers in the United States. He said: 'I want to be the best in the world, so I have to race with the big guys. I used to race well only when I'm ahead of the pack and it's clean and calm waters and there's no waves and turbulence. 'In the US, the waves are way bigger, so I have learnt how to not avoid the waves but take it head on but at the same time not be disrupted.' Confidence boosted, Lee is hoping to qualify for Los Angeles 2028, especially with the Olympics including 50m events in the butterfly, breaststroke and backstroke for the first time. Other national sprinters who will compete at the WCH include Teong Tzen Wei (50m fly), Quah Zheng Wen (50m back), Chen Jun Hao (50m breaststroke), Amanda Lim (50m free), Quah Ting Wen (50m fly), Levenia Sim (50m back) and Letitia Sim (50m breaststroke). Noting that 'the expanded programme will be inspiring for the younger generation', Lee said that the depth of the squad would also mean that more swimmers could qualify for the Olympics. Of the 16-member team competing at the WCH, national swimming coach Gary Tan is hopeful that some of them can progress from the heats. Teong qualified for the 50m fly final in 2022, while Gan Ching Hwee has made great strides in the 800m and 1,500m freestyle, and Letitia Sim has done the same in the breaststroke events. Tan said: 'We have chosen to prepare in Singapore as the world championships will be held on home soil and there's no need to acclimatise and travelling would be a hassle. 'While it was tough to be displaced from our usual training venue at the OCBC Aquatic Centre, which was used for test events, we are grateful to train at the weather-proof facility at the Singapore Sports School. 'Our swimmers are in good spirits and look in good shape. Hopefully, this translates to fast times in the races. Although it's going to be much tougher and faster than previous world championships, we believe they can set new personal bests and have a shot at the semi-finals.'
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Singaporean diver Megan Yow withdraws from World Aquatic Championships
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Diver Megan Yow (right), pictured with wushu exponent Kassandra Ong at the spexPotential programme ceremony, has withdrawn from the World Aquatics Championships. SINGAPORE - Singaporean diver Megan Yow has withdrawn from the World Aquatics Championships (WCH) owing to a wrist injury, Singapore Aquatics announced on July 24. The 15-year-old was initially slated to take part in three events – the women's individual 10m platform dive, women's 10m synchronised dive, and the mixed 10m synchronised dive – in her world championships debut. Her teammate, Ainslee Kwang, will take her place in the mixed 10m synchronised dive with Yim Shek Yen. Ainslee, 14, will be Singapore's sole representative in the women's 10m platform event. Singapore will not be fielding a pair in the women's 10m synchronised dive. Megan said in a statement: 'I'm disappointed not to be part of the competition, especially with the championships taking place on home ground. My focus now is on recovering well and coming back stronger. I'll be in the stands cheering on my teammates with pride and supporting the team every step of the way.' She had previously clinched a bronze medal in the 2024 Malaysia Open Diving Championships, and was one of 10 divers set to represent Singapore in the ongoing WCH, which kicked off on July 11 with water polo events. The diving competition will run from July 26 to Aug 3, starting with the women's 1m springboard, mixed 3m and 10m team events on July 26 at the OCBC Aquatic Centre. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Live: Thailand, Cambodia clash with jets, rockets, artillery in deadly border row Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Singapore First BTO flats in Greater Southern Waterfront, Mount Pleasant to go on sale in October Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years in S'pore Boys' Home Asia 'Vampire coach': Coercive blood sampling in school casts spotlight on Taiwan's culture of obedience Business MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: Dinesh Tech From aviation to healthcare, workers have taken small steps to be early adopters of AI in Singapore Singapore Over 2 years' jail for man who worked with wife to cheat her then boyfriend of $220k As hosts, Singapore will field its largest-ever contingent of 72 athletes to compete in swimming, diving, water polo, and artistic swimming. Artistic swimmers Debbie Soh and Yvette Chong scored two personal bests to place 14th and 17th in the women's duet free and duet technical events respectively, while divers Ashlee Tan and Fong Kay Yian will compete on July 26 in the women's 1m springboard.
Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Singapore's Ritchie Oh makes comeback in open water swimming at World Aquatics Championships
Find out what's new on ST website and app. After coming out of retirement, Singapore open water swimmer Ritchie Oh is eyeing podium finishes at the 2027 and 2029 SEA Games. SINGAPORE – When Ritchie Oh retired from competitive swimming in 2023, the idea of racing at a home world championships two years later was certainly not on his radar. After competing at the 2019 SEA Games, Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 and two world championships, he felt he had reached the end of his journey in the sport. Once driven by his goals of qualifying for major competitions, he began to feel stagnant, constantly measuring himself against others and training became a chore. Oh said: 'I stopped caring about what major meets I could qualify for, which had been my biggest drive before – to keep improving and making the next bigger competition. 'I dreaded going for training and did not have a goal anymore.' Now, the 22-year-old is among eight open water swimmers representing the Republic at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Oh said he had enjoyed the freedom in the first few months after his retirement, occasionally entering local meets to catch up with friends. But by late 2024, something was missing. He said: 'I pushed myself in the gym but after a few months I realised it wasn't enough for me. 'I thought I was missing out on something but I didn't know it was swimming because I thought I had firmly made a decision to stop and I had no passion for it anymore.' After speaking to his parents and girlfriend Claire Tan, a national artistic swimmer, he realised that he missed swimming and began considering a comeback. Though there was uncertainty, the thought of competing alongside Tan at major events again was hard to ignore, and he still enjoyed the adrenaline of racing. Ritchie Oh (left) with his girlfriend Claire Tan, a national artistic swimmer, at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. PHOTO: COURTESY OF RITCHIE OH About 10 months ago, Oh began training with coaches Roderick Eng and Jerome Teo at the Singapore Sports School. Careful to avoid the long-distance training that has once worn him down, he initially focused on distances of 200m and below, aiming for a spot on the 4x200m freestyle relay team at the 2026 Asian Games. But he soon turned to the 1,500m freestyle after realising his time away had made it difficult to hit the required benchmarks. At the Singapore National Age Group Swimming Championships in March, he finished a creditable fourth in the event. Coincidentally, Singapore Aquatics also sent out the selection criteria for open water swimming for the SEA Games and world championships during that period, and he decided to give it a go with. At the trials in April, he finished second in the 10km race to earn his spot at the world championships. He said: 'Every single day I came to the pool, regardless of how I felt, how bad the times were, I just kept pushing myself. 'Every day when you have a goal in mind, your discipline kicks in, your motivation gets sparked and I became hungry again.' With open water swimming set to feature at the next three SEA Games, he has set his sights on reaching the podium at the 2027 and 2029 editions. Juggling national service with training has been a challenge in his comeback journey. While most open water swimmers clock 70km to 80km a week, Oh averages just 25km to 30km. On days he is on shift, he wakes at 4am to train by 5am, before reporting to base at 7.15am, often finishing at about 11pm. He is grateful to his coaches for turning up an hour earlier on those mornings to help him squeeze in 5km to 6km before his duties. Ahead of the world championships, which will also serve as a qualifier for December's SEA Games, he said: 'I want to do my best, I want to show my coaches and myself that all the hard work that I've put in is worth it.' Chantal Liew, Singapore's first open water swimmer to compete at the Olympics, will also be taking part in the world championships. PHOTO: SPORT SINGAPORE Also itching to compete at the championships is Chantal Liew, who contemplated retirement after narrowly missing out on the 2024 Paris Olympics. Competing at home feels like a full circle for her, having made her national team debut in pool swimming a decade ago at the SEA Games in Singapore. While Liew, Singapore's first Olympic open water swimmer, is not sure how much longer she will compete for, she wants to do her best and enjoy the championships, where she will take part in the 10km, 3km knockout, and 4x1,500m relay. She said: 'I had half a mind after the last worlds to retire, but I was convinced by my coach to stay on for this one because he said racing at your home worlds isn't something everyone can do and it's special. 'In a way, I hope to redeem myself from Doha (qualifying event for Olympics). But more than that, I know I'm at the tail end of my career and I did read the other day what Naomi Osaka posted about enjoying whatever time I have left in the sport so that's what I'm going to be doing – I'm going to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy racing in front of family and friends.'
CNA
10-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Singapore to field largest-ever diving squad at World Aquatics Championships
SINGAPORE: A mix of veteran and up-and-coming divers will represent Singapore as part of its largest-ever diving contingent at the World Aquatics Championships that begins on Friday (Jul 11). The team comprises 10 divers, including five debutants. In comparison, it fielded four divers at the previous edition in Doha last year. Diving is one of six disciplines making up the competition programme, and will take place at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in Kallang. In all, 13 medals will be up for grabs during the 22nd edition of the Championships that runs until Aug 3. GOOD CHANCE TO MAKE THE FINALS After a hectic year of preparations involving training camps and overseas competitions, Singapore's diving team is ready to shine at home. Daniel Campbell, Singapore Aquatics' sport director (artistic swimming and diving), told CNA that he sees some divers potentially going through to the finals. "We've not been in that position before (but) definitely semi-finals are on the cards. The expectation is not just to be there. We want them to turn up and put on a really good performance,' he said. Campbell added that the team's strategy for the competition is based on putting forward the best divers for each event. 'For every event that we have, we have certain qualification criteria that they've got to meet, so (we are) just making sure that we have a team that goes out to really put on the best performance that we can for Singapore,' he said. Technology has also played a part in improving the performance of the team's divers as they prepare for the world championship. National head coach Charlie Tu said the team has recently begun using video feedback tools to analyse the performance of its divers. 'We use the data to compare to the higher level of other (divers) in the world to see what (is) the level we're missing,' he added. He added that such analysis allowed coaching staff to look at techniques that are missing from each athlete and how to work on them. Tu said preparations also included mental training for the divers. DIVING INTO THE FUTURE Better scouting and clearer pathways to the national set-up have also allowed Singapore to increase its number of divers in its ranks. Among the country's brightest stars that will be competing in the upcoming competition is 13-year-old Ainslee Kwang. The teenager, who began diving at the age of seven, will be participating in the 10m platform and synchronised 10m platform events. She said that the familiar environment of competing at home has its advantages. "It's … like a familiar crowd … and it helps me adapt faster. I get to see all the Singaporeans here cheering for me,' added Ainslee. She had placed as the third-highest ranked Asian diver at this year's World Aquatics Diving World Cup in Windsor, Canada. Ainslee added that her coach has been fine-tuning her techniques and building up all her consistency for her five dives. Each diver performs five times each round during the women's competition. She said competing on the world stage would also give her the confidence and resilience to perform under pressure as she eyes success at the SEA Games in December. She has also set her sights on a bigger prize. '(My) ultimate goal … is to eventually compete in the Olympics. I mean, it's everyone's goal, especially for athletes,' she added. Campbell said the team wants to prove that it can stand tall against powerhouse nations like China and Malaysia as it looks to grow local interest in the sport. China swept all the diving gold medals at last year's Paris Olympics, and Malaysia had previously won medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. Campbell added that competing in this year's World Aquatics Championships would be a catalyst for future participation, driving a growth in the number of people picking up the sport, as well as improving team performance. 'We can do pretty major things in this sport and we've got to use this opportunity to really develop and see how we can push things forward,' he said.
CNA
02-07-2025
- Health
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Water polo national team captain says World Aquatics Championship will be toughest challenge
CNA938 Rewind Play Team Singapore will field a total of 72 athletes, of which 32 will be debutants, across five disciplines in the upcoming World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025 – its largest ever at the sport's flagship international meet. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak with Professor Kenneth Goh, President of Singapore Aquatics and Lee Kai Yang, captain of the Water Polo national team. CNA938 Rewind - Water polo national team captain says World Aquatics Championship will be toughest challenge Team Singapore will field a total of 72 athletes, of which 32 will be debutants, across five disciplines in the upcoming World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025 – its largest ever at the sport's flagship international meet. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak with Professor Kenneth Goh, President of Singapore Aquatics and Lee Kai Yang, captain of the Water Polo national team. 15 mins CNA938 Rewind - How do we undo the "knot" in private healthcare insurance? Health Minister Ong Ye Kung will work with insurers and private hospitals to create a more sustainable private healthcare financing system. He says they have gotten tied up in what he describes as a 'knot' – one that could prove detrimental to patients. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin learn more from Dr Clive Tan, Adjunct Assistant Professor, NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. 14 mins CNA938 Rewind - The Wellness Hour - Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease: Can You Avoid Surgery? Unexplained weight loss, anxiety, and even bulging eyes? You might have Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid. In our third instalment, Cheryl Goh finds out why early diagnosis is key, and also looks into non-surgical treatment options with Dr Vikram Sonawane, Senior Consultant Endocrinologist and Founder of Harmony Thyroid Endocrinology and Diabetes Centre. 19 mins CNA938 Rewind - Cellography - Bringing AI & The Puppet Master to life on stage In 'Culture Club' Melanie Oliveiro speaks with the creatives involved in the production: Cellography presents 'The Puppet Master' Disney Concert. The storyline follows an old Puppet Master whose puppet magically comes to life – and soon, both begin exploring the world around them. Performed by Cellography, an all-cello pop orchestra, founder Hughes Chong and cellist Chua Siong Hoon will talk more about the plot's themes like love and courage, and how the production will unfold onstage using Artificial Intelligence. They'll also discuss the timeless Disney classics that will be performed on stage like 'When You Wish Upon a Star' and 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight'. 30 mins
