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The Stars Of SEA Games 2015

The SEA Games 2015 has come to an end, with host nation Singapore achieving an unprecedented 84 gold medals.

Team Singapore came in second place in the overall medal tally – just behind Thailand. And this is Singapore’s highest ranking since the 1975 Sea Peninsular games in Thailand, where they also came in second place.

Our gold medal haul also confidently surpassed our previous record where Singapore won 50 gold medals in 1993, which was also hosted in Singapore.

Singapore total 258-medal haul also trounced our previous record of 164 medals, also during the 1993 games here.

While every athlete put their best foot forward, there were some that stood out and made outstanding achievements.

Below is a list of the Top 6 Singaporean athletes

1. Shanti Pereira

Our national sprint queen raced across the finish lines (and into our hearts) to win the nation’s first sprint gold medal at the SEA Games for 42 years.

While doing that, she managed to re-write a new national record time of 23.60s for the women’s 200m title.

2. Joseph Schooling

Schooling currently carries the nation’s hope at our first Olympic medal for swimming – and judging by his performance at the SEA Games, it’s an achievable feat. Schooling won nine golds and broke nine games records while he was at it.

3. Muhammad Nur Alfian

It’s a true underdog story that may remind people of The Karate Kid. Alfian was up against defending world Silat champion Tran Dinh Nam from Vietnam. Mid-way through, he suffered a deep cut between his toes.

And yet, he came out on tops and won the sole gold medal for Silat against all odds.

In an even more poignant moment, he was in tears throughout the National Anthem during the victory ceremony, proving just how much the gold medal means to him.

4. Ashley Liew

The 28-year-old marathon runner suddenly found himself ahead of the other 11 competitors.

But this was because the rest had mistaken taken a different route while he made the correct turn.

But instead of taking advantage of his unexpected lead, he slowed down and waited for the rest of the pack to catch up instead.

And this display of sportsmanship earned him raves online, including from Prime Minsiter Lee Hsien Loong.

5. Squash pair

The squash doubles team of Marcus Phua and Vivian Rhamanan ended Singapore’s 20-year wait for a gold medal as they won Singapore’s first SEA Games gold in squash since 1995 when they clinched the men’s doubles jumbo final.

While the Singaporean athletes clearly shone on home ground, there were foreign athletes too that deserved praise.

Here is our list below:

1. Nguyen Thi Anh Vien

Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Anh Vien could possibly be the only swimmer during the games who could come close to outshining swim star Schooling. The 18-year-old won an impressive eight golds and five games records. Let’s not forget she entered herself in 11 events.

2. Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah

What were you doing at the age of 11? This Malaysian water skiier is already considered a veteran in the sport as she won her first SEA Games gold medal aged 8 in 2011. This year, she managed to get two golds and she said that she is already aiming for three next year.

3. Phyo Kyaw Zin

Myanmar goalkeeper Phyo Kyaw Zin played a big role in helping Myanmar in their improbable journey to reach the football final. Despite their 0-3 loss in the final to Thailand, Phyo saved a total of 12 shots in the final. Impressive.

Source: www.tnp.sg

June 17, 2015
Poor Crowd Control Mars SEA Games Closing Ceremony

Some spectators who wanted to experience the 28th SEA Games closing ceremony on Tuesday night were left disappointed when they could not enter the National Stadium despite having tickets.

Media reports said spectators were shuffled from gate to gate in order to enter through a gate with less people.

Some were also told the stadium was full.

Photos on social media showed crowds of spectators stuck outside the National Stadium gates, waiting to enter.

Some also gave up and left after waiting until as late as 8.30pm to enter the Stadium. The pre-show segment began at 7pm.

Yahoo Singapore also spotted spectators coming in during the halfway point of the show and sitting on the stairs near the area with allocated seating for the media.

One frustrated spectator by the name of Puey Yee Tan wrote on the official SEA Games Facebook page, “Should we wait, should we go away? And nobody on the ground seems to know what is happening. I am appalled at this management. Opening Ceremony was hardly like this.”

Some also complained they did not receive the supporters’ medallion that was supposed to be in each fun pack, or that they were not given fun packs at all.

Media reports added that tensions flared and some spectators berated volunteers at the different gates.

“In the midst of all this, the organisers should also apologise to the young volunteers who had to take the brunt of the frustration from ticket holders for the series of decisions made by the organisers that led to this situation,” said Matthew Tan on the SEA Games’ official Facebook page.

The organising committee issued the following statement:

“We understand that there were spectators coming to the closing ceremony of the 28th SEA Games who were unable to be seated for the show.

“As a significant proportion of the spectators were at the gates just before the start of the ceremony, there was a need to adjust entry gates and seating arrangements to enable them to be seated as quickly as possible. Consequently, some gates had to be closed for safety reasons.

“The organising committee apologises for the inconvenience caused and disappointment of those affected.”

It also offered a full refund to those who purchased a ticket and were unable to be seated, as well as the supporters’ medallion.

Source: https://sg.sports.yahoo.com

June 17, 2015
Team Singapore Scores Distinction For SEA Games Showing

It had initially begun as a quest for 50 gold medals to celebrate Singapore’s Golden Jubilee this year, but Team Singapore’s 749-member contingent at the 28th SEA Games had emphatically blasted the ball out of the park, ending the 19-day multi-sports event with a record haul of 84 gold, 73 silver and 102 bronze medals across 36 sports.

It is the Republic’s best showing at the SEA Games since its previous record of 50 gold at the 1993 Games, and it earned them second spot on the medal tally, just behind Thailand.

Scoring Team Singapore’s report card with an “eight or nine” out of 10, Singapore’s chefs de mission Tan Eng Liang and Nicholas Fang attributed the unprecedented haul — a huge 170 per cent jump from the 34 gold won at the last edition in Myanmar in 2013 — to several factors.

The main one, said Mr Tan, was the careful selection of sports and events. It was a sentiment echoed by Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) secretary general Chris Chan, who added: “We zeroed in on the three categories (compulsory sports, Olympic and Asian Games sports, other sports) that suited our needs. If you spend S$300 plus million (S$324.5 million), you want to do pretty well.”

Other factors Mr Tan highlighted included the commitment of Singaporean athletes, support from their family members and government agencies, as well as the Final Push — a one-year support scheme that was introduced to disburse some S$4 million to athletes training full-time for the Games.

“We also can’t overstate the importance of financial funding, the work that the sports institute has done,” said Mr Fang, referring to the Singapore Sports Institute.

“In the past if you think about this kind of high level support (sports science, biomechanics etc) maybe it was restricted to your key sports, but now SSI is trying to make this available to all the sports that are trying to raise their game.”

A total of 36 sports were contested in the 28th SEA Games, with Team Singapore medalling in 33 sports. The top six performers were: Aquatics (swimming, synchronised swimming and water polo) with 26 gold, sailing (10), canoeing (7), table tennis (6), wushu (6) and shooting (5) — producing 60 gold, or about 70 per cent of the total gold medal haul. At the last Games in Naypyidaw, these six sports won just 25 gold medals, with aquatics leading the pack with 12 gold.

Three sports — football, tennis and petanque — did not win any medals at these Games, with the Under-23 footballers drawing the most criticism from fans after failing to advance beyond the group stage. Coach Aide Iskandar resigned immediately after their last match against Indonesia.

In contrast, the national men’s football team stole a point from their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Japan last night, holding the Asian giants to a goalless draw in Saitama. Said Mr Tan: “I’m disappointed but you can’t take away the fact that they (athletes in sports that did not medal) really played their guts out. I expect them to do detailed analysis and implement something if they want to improve.”

Source: www.todayonline.com

June 17, 2015
20 Athletes You Wish You Could See More Of

So many athletes have set this SEA Games alight with their performances.

But as the Games comes to an end, we look at 20 we wish could just stay on a little longer – after all, they are so easy on the eyes.

Male athletes

1. Irfan Fandi, Singapore, 17 (Football)

Singapore footballer Irfan Fandi. — ST PHOTOS: KUA CHEE SIONG/CHONG JUN LIANG

The eldest son of Singapore legend Fandi Ahmad appears to have inherited the best of both worlds – his famous father’s footballing talent, and his mother’s (former model Wendy Jacobs) good looks.

With his strapping 1.87m frame and smouldering stare, small wonder then that the Young Lions striker already has a rabid following of young female fans on social media.

2. Tyler Christian Ruiz, Philippines, 23 (High jump)

Filipino high jumper Tyler Christian Ruiz. — ST PHOTOS: CHONG JUN LIANG

This Filipino-American dreamboat doesn’t just excel in sport – he’s pretty nifty on the piano and guitar too.

Finished fifth in the men’s high jump with a 2.08m effort, well short of his personal best of 2.13m.

3. Kenny Bun, Cambodia, 25 (Tennis)

Cambodian tennis player Kenny Bun. — PHOTOS: FACEBOOK/TENNIS FEDERATION OF CAMBODIA WEBSITE

Born in France, the tanned and wiry Bun is coolness personified on the tennis court. Won a bronze in the men’s singles.

4. Brandon Ooi, Singapore, 20 (Canoeing)

Singapore canoeist Brandon Ooi. — ST PHOTOS: DANIEL NEO/KEVIN LIM

A ripped physique has seen Ooi appearing in The Straits Times’ Hot Bods section, on the cover (shirtless) of weekly magazine 8 Days and receiving several modelling offers.

Won gold and silver medals in the men’s K2 1,000m and K4 200m events respectively.

5. Sarach Yooyen, Thailand, 23 (Football)

Thai football captain Sarach Yooyen. — PHOTOS: LIM SIN THAI & SINGAPORE SEA GAMES ORGANISING COMMITTEE/ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS

On the football pitch, the skipper orchestrates his team’s play from the heart of midfield.

Off it, Yooyen, who plays for Muangthong United in the Thai Premier League, has got female fans swooning over his ruggedly handsome face.

6. Pham Phuoc Hung, Vietnam, 26 (Gymnastics)

Vietnamese gymnast Pham Phuoc Hung. — PHOTOS: FACEBOOK/AFP

Lithe, flexible and sporting an eye-catching crop of dyed-gold hair, the artistic gymnast has turned heads at the Bishan Sports Hall.

Pham concluded his campaign with a gold, two silvers and two bronzes.

7. Harry Morris, Philippines, 30 (Rugby)

Filipino rugby player Harry Morris. — PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM/HMORRIS140

The British-Filipino marine biologist and TV host combines brawn and brains in one hunky package. Has also endorsed several products back in the Philippines.

8. Mark Leong, Singapore, 17 (Waterski)

Singapore waterskiier Mark Leong. — ST PHOTOS: KEVIN LIM

Leong, who has German blood, has been making waves at the Bedok Reservoir alongside golden girl Sasha Christian. Set a new national record on his way to clinching the men’s slalom title.

Female athletes

9. Lindswell Kwok, Indonesia, 23 (Wushu)

Indonesian wushu exponent Lindswell Kwok. — PHOTOS: FACEBOOK & SINGAPORE SEA GAMES ORGANISING COMMITTEE/ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS

This taijiquan and tajijian world champion packs a lethal punch, winning gold in both optional events at these Games.

Kwok is a fan of singer Bruno Mars and has a unique ritual of trimming her locks before or after a competition, which she says helps her alleviate the tension.

10. Rachel Daquis, Philippines, 27 (Volleyball)

Filipino volleyballer Rachel Anne Daquis. — PHOTOS: DESMOND FOO/FHM MAGAZINE (PHILIPPINES)

With her model-like looks, this leggy beauty is, quite rightly, the poster girl for the sport in her country.

Daquis, who made the cover of FHM Philippines’ October 2014 issue, emerged seventh in a recent poll of the magazine’s top 10 sexiest women.

11. Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, Malaysia, 21 (Gymnastics)

Malaysian gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi. — PHOTOS: FACEBOOK/CAROLINE CHIA

Despite doing her country proud with six golds, the artistic gymnast found herself at the centre of a controversy when netizens accused her of wearing revealing attire to compete.

Her sister Katarina Abdul Hadi is in Malaysia’s synchronised swimming squad.

12. Thidasavanh Sotthachit, Laos, 17 (Taekwondo)

Laotian taekwondo exponent Thidasavanh Sotthachit. — PHOTOS: FACEBOOK/NEO XIAOBIN

The Vientiane native, who made her Games debut in Singapore, is still in high school and is a fan of rock band Maroon 5. Interestingly, the school is called Sotthachit School as her mother is the principal.

She lost her women’s Under-62kg semi-final bout to eventual champion Ha Thi Nguyen of Vietnam.

13. Nurul Suhaila, Singapore, 20 (Silat)

Singapore’s silat exponent Nurul Suhaila Mohd Saiful. — PHOTOS: BERITA HARIAN

Suhaila, along with her older sister and fellow silat exponent Shafiqah, have been dubbed the “white twins” due to their fair complexion.

The Ngee Ann Polytechnic School of Film and Media Studies alumnus is interested in a career in TV production.

14. Sailub Lertratanachai, Thailand, 22 (Equestrian)

Thai rider Sailub Lertratanachai. — PHOTO: FACEBOOK/INSTAGRAM

The sweet-looking Sailub is the eldest daughter of famous Thai radio DJ Vinit Lertratanachai. Her younger sister Siengsaw is also in Thailand’s equestrian team.

15. Katharina Lehnert, Philippines, 21 (Tennis)

Filipino tennis player Katharina Lehnert, who is half-German. — PHOTOS: FACEBOOK/CAROLINE CHIA

While rainy weather put a dampener on large chunks of the tennis competition, German-born Lehnert certainly made up for it with her showbiz looks.

She won a bronze in the women’s singles and two silvers in the doubles and team events.

16. Chanboramey Ngoun, Cambodia, 27 (Sepak takraw)

Cambodian sepak takraw player Chanboramey Ngoun. — PHOTOS: FACEBOOK & JASON O’BRIEN/ACTION IMAGES

Ngoun, who was part of the regu team that lost all three of their group matches at the Games, has been approached by Cambodia’s state television network to work as one of its emcees.

Her personal Facebook page shows the pretty 27-year-old supporting her compatriots at various events and checking out the sights in Singapore.

17. Liane Wong, Singapore, 21 (Fencing)

Singapore fencer Liane Wong. — PHOTOS: FACEBOOK & JOSEPH NAIR/SPORT SINGAPORE

Wong’s older sister Cheryl also fences, with the duo picking up the sport at a young age after watching their brother fence. The siblings, together with Wang Wenying and Nicole Wong, picked up a gold in the women’s team foil event.

18. Larasati Gading, Indonesia, 43 (Equestrian)

Indonesian rider Larasati Gading. — PHOTOS: INDONESIA TATLER & SINGAPORE SEA GAMES ORGANISING COMMITTEE/ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS

Gading, a mother of three, cut a glamorous figure during the equestrian competition. She is also a successful entrepreneur back home, running her own equestrian school and supplies company.

The veteran trotted away with both the dressage individual and team titles.

19. Shelby Koh, Singapore, 20 (Netball)

Singapore netballer Shelby Koh. — PHOTOS: ST FILE/THE NEW PAPER

Koh, who plays wing attack, is of mixed parentage – her father is Singaporean and mother, Australian. The 1.75cm-tall beauty loves Indian food and bubble tea.

Part of the team which beat rivals Malaysia to secure a historic netball gold.

20. Chelsea Sim, Singapore, 19 (Taekwondo)

Saingapore’s taekwondo exponenet Chelsea Sim. — PHOTOS: FACEBOOK & SINGAPORE SEA GAMES ORGANISING COMMITTEE/ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS

Sim’s petite 1.50m frame belies a fiercely competitive streak – she bounced back from the disappointment of losing out on a gold in the individual poomsae two years ago in Myanmar to secure victory on home soil.

Loves shopping and watching TV series like any ordinary girl, but watch out for her swift, gravity-defying kicks.

June 16, 2015
Implosion Of The Young Lions

There was none of the usual slamming of the inept coach that one would normally see in the aftermath of a disastrous football campaign. Neither was there much of the blame game among players which one would expect to see the morning after a debacle that saw Singapore’s SEA Games football hopes end in the group stage.

Instead, in the aftermath of the team’s surprise exit and the shock resignation of national Under-23 coach Aide Iskandar on Thursday night, fingers point to an implosion from within the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), caused by infighting among coaching staff and a lack of clarity on key objectives.

While player injuries and wrong tactics ultimately contributed to the team’s failure, it was problems from within, or as Aide hinted on Thursday, “a lot of challenges”, that precipitated the Young Lions’ demise.

Players and backroom staff The Straits Times spoke to talked about how the constant changing of coaches created an unsettling atmosphere within the side.

The bulk of the players had trained under fitness coach Aleksandar Bozenko in the build-up to the Games last year, only to face a new trainer late last year in Juergen Raab.

The replacement was then replaced when former national player Kadir Yahaya was roped in to help get the team fighting fit just months before the Games.

Said a senior player who declined to be named: “We found it puzzling that although a bronze medal (at the 2013 Games) was won with one trainer and we were working well with him, another was brought in.

“Then, yet another came in.”

Sources said that Aide had preferred Bozenko but was forced to work with Raab.

The coaching merry-go-round continued right up to one month before the Games when goalkeeper coach John Burridge, who had worked with the goalkeepers in the build-up to the tournament, did not actually feature when the Games started.

Insiders in the team said that the Englishman had asked to be excused to work with the senior squad for the World Cup qualifiers, forcing the SEA Games outfit to scramble for a last-minute replacement.

Added a source close to the team: “It was strange that a coach could be allowed to leave so soon before a tournament. Perhaps what could have been made clear was which tournament was the main priority.”

The blurred lines also meant players were not clear about what their key objectives were for the year – the SEA Games team or the LionsXII.

Despite the FAS publicly announcing that the SEA Games had top priority, key attackers Sahil Suhaimi and Faris Ramli were released for LionsXII duty in the build-up to the Games, dealing a blow to Aide’s final preparations.

Both Sahil and Faris scored in the Malaysian FA Cup win, but failed to show such form during the SEA Games.

“The SEA Games team should have taken top priority as we believe the talent, if harnessed properly, was there to get the gold,” said a Young Lions official.

“The FA Cup win was good for Singapore football but certain players came back to us with inflated egos, which made them harder to coach.”

The lack of clarity also surfaced just before the tournament, when attacker Iqbal Hussain was dropped on the eve of the event for disciplinary reasons, only to be called up by national team coach Bernd Stange for the World Cup qualifiers.

The move infuriated the Young Lions squad, who felt the German was undermining Aide and creating unnecessary drama at a crucial time. The reserve players on the SEA Games team were also unsettled, wondering if perhaps it would have been better for them to have been excluded from Aide’s team so they could also feature in the senior side.

Said an insider: “The team lost the bench after that. Players weren’t convinced that being in the SEA Games squad was the best move for them.”

The off-field problems, in turn, led to problems on it.

Whether he was fickle or forced to do so because of injuries, Aide switched between route-one football and short but not always decisive passing – often in the same match.

“We were playing long balls to a 1.7m striker (Sahil) – Aide always had a game plan but sometimes, it didn’t make sense,” said a player who declined to be named.

Another added: “When we did have a big guy (1.87m-tall Irfan Fandi) up front, the crosses were not in sync with his runs.”

Despite overseas trips to Turkey, Austria and Japan and their public avowal of overall unity, there were divisions within the squad. Since coming together two years ago, tensions have existed between the “veterans” with international caps and the younger players.

“Some senior guys knew they were undroppable so they didn’t bother to train hard, eat well or follow the rules,” said one player.

The team did not have luck with injuries either. Key midfielder Shahfiq Ghani, instrumental in the build-up to the Games as the team beat Laos 5-1 and Timor Leste 2-0, missed the whole tournament with injury. For Thursday’s must-win against Indonesia, Faris and striker Irfan were only half-fit.

But as Aide continues to bear the brunt of criticism from a disappointed public dreaming of an elusive football gold, defender Amirul Adli best summed up the team’s feelings.

He said: “Why blame the coach? He had his own issues to deal with behind the scenes.

“The players just didn’t perform to their standards.”

Source: www.straitstimes.com

June 14, 2015