Singapore sports spreads to a variety of sports such as basketball, cricket, football, swimming, rugby union, cycling, and badminton as well as a number of recreational activities like kayaking, sailing, water skiing, etc. Today, with the rise of online sports betting platforms (such as 12play app, for example), it is not impossible to commemorate some of the greatest Singaporean sports stars that nation takes pride in.
Loh Kean Yew, badminton
Born on June 26th 1997 in Singapore, Loh Kean Yew is a prominent 27-year-old badminton player, who was awarded the BWF World Championship in 2021, which makes him the first athlete from Singapore ever to become the world champion despite his relatively short career span that commenced in 2012.
Patricia Chan, swimming
Singapore’s first swimming start, Patricia Chan got herself a name as Pat Chan or the ‘Golden Girl’, rocking the pool at SEA games. Her athletic participation involves 39 events with as many as 39 gold medals during the span of 8 years in 1965-1973. During the Asian Games, Patricia set a national record in 200m backstrokes that no one could further break for a whole 23 years, thus winning 5 bronze and 3 silver medals in eight events.
The Best Sportswoman of Singapore was the title Patricia was given for five years consecutively.
Joseph Isaac Schooling, swimming
Another outstanding swimmer is Joseph Isaac Schooling. Being now 29 years old, he got the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in the 100m butterfly, which was the first Olympic gold medal in the history of Singapore’s sports. His records were present at the Asian, Southeast Asian, National and Olympic levels with the result of 50.39 seconds.
Theresa Goh, swimming
One more remarkable Singaporean swimmer and Paralympic bronze medalist on our list is Theresa Goh. She is the world record breaker for the SB4 50m and 200m breaststroke swimming. Her athletic path started when she was only 12 years old
Canagasabai Kunalan, sprinting, athletics, football
Though now retired Canagasabai Kunalan is a Singaporean polymath in the field of sports. He is not only a sprinter but also a relay runner, footballer as well as educator. His brilliant career as an athlete stunned the audience, leading him to the sportsman of the year titles in 1968 and 1969. In 1968, he set a national record for 100m with 10.38 second at the Olympic Games in Mexico City, and the record was unbreakable for 33 years down the line.
In total, he earned five gold medals and then finished his athletic career due to a heel injury.
Final Words
We have tried our best to list the most unforgettable sports stars in Singapore. All of them, including those not mentioned here, serve as role models and embodiment of strength and potential for the developed country of Singapore. Their dedication and diligence inspire the younger generation to lead their lives with passion and perseverance. As Singapore keeps acting as a sports hub, these icons will undoubtedly pave the way for future talents to display their potential on local and international stages.
