SEA Games: Male athletes who did Singapore proud

Swimming: Joseph Schooling

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Joseph Schooling, 24, is a name that doesn’t require introductions after scoring Singapore’s first Olympic gold in 2016 (beating out his idol Michael Phelps). But did you know, Schooling has his own beauty label? He recently unveiled his skincare line, JS Orphic, created with aesthetic doctor Dr SM Yuen. Brawn, brains and beauty? 

This year, the swim champ retained his 100m butterfly title - his pet event - but his time of 51.84 was a long way off his Olympic record of 50.39. Schooling, however, lost out to fellow Singapore competitor Teong Tzen Wei in the 50m butterfly race to come in second. 

Photo: SPH CMG

ALSO READ: SEA GAMES: FEMALE ATHLETES WHO DID SINGAPORE PROUD

Football: Irfan Fandi

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Don’t be fooled by Irfan Fandi’s young age (he’s 22) and legacy background (he’s the eldest son of local football legend Fandi Ahmad).

The young sportsman debuted at the Games when he was 17 and was a striker at Thai football club BG Pathum United.

Photo: The Straits Times

ALSO READ: SEA GAMES: FEMALE ATHLETES WHO DID SINGAPORE PROUD

Basketball: Chase Tan

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Chase Tan might be a familiar face if you regularly tune into local drama productions such as Old Is Gold (2019), Heart To Heart (2019) and Tay Ping Hui's directorial debut in Meeting The Giant (2014).

The dashing 29-year-old is not only a master on the court but also shaping up to be a rising star you’re going to want to watch out for. 

Photo: The Straits Times 

ALSO READ: SEA GAMES: FEMALE ATHLETES WHO DID SINGAPORE PROUD

Sambo: Gary Chow

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Formerly a judoka (an expert in judo), Gary Chow brought home silver and two bronzes at previous SEA Games. This time around, the 29-year-old is looking to score his first gold in sambo, a sporting category that was introduced in this year’s iteration.

For the uninitiated, sambo hails from Soviet Russia and combines techniques of judo, jiu-jitsu, and other martial arts. 

Photo: The Straits Times

ALSO READ: SEA GAMES: FEMALE ATHLETES WHO DID SINGAPORE PROUD

Kurash: Joel Tseng

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Another former judoka, Joel Tseng, 24, earned Singapore’s first medal in kurash, a traditional folk wrestling sport from Central Asia.

The medal was extra commendable for Tseng as he fought against opponents including Thailand's Natee Chokchiewchan and Indonesia’s Ramadhan Ryan with a fractured collarbone.

Photo: Lianhe Zaobao

ALSO READ: SEA GAMES: FEMALE ATHLETES WHO DID SINGAPORE PROUD

Dance: Jerome Teo

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While competitions like the SEA Games bring to mind sports such as fencing, swimming and badminton, did you know that there’s a category called dancesport?

The category made its debut in 2005 but was discontinued after 2007. This year, it was revived and 21-year-old National University of Singapore undergrad Jerome Teo made history with his sister, Rachel Teo, 22, as they clinched two bronzes and one silver for waltz and foxtrot.

Photo: Sport Singapore

ALSO READ: SEA GAMES: FEMALE ATHLETES WHO DID SINGAPORE PROUD

Wushu: Yong Yi Xiang

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Singapore’s first gold medal at this year’s SEA Games came from Yong Yi Xiang’s outstanding wushu changquan showing. A prior loss at the World Wushu Championships in Shanghai in October only fuelled the 26-year-old’s hunger for victory, which ultimately paid off as he adds another SEA Games gold to his collection. 

Photo: Singapore National Olympic Council 

ALSO READ: SEA GAMES: FEMALE ATHLETES WHO DID SINGAPORE PROUD

Badminton: Loh Kean Yew

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No, it wasn't a gold for Loh Kean Yew. But he did Singapore proud when he became the first Singapore badminton player to win a spot in the men's singles final since 2007 when he defeated top seed Kantaphon Wangcharoen in Manila, reported Channel News Asia. 

21-year-old Loh, who is ranked 30th in the world, finished with a silver medal after facing off with Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, who is world number 14. 

Photo: The Straits Times 

ALSO READ: SEA GAMES: FEMALE ATHLETES WHO DID SINGAPORE PROUD