Singapore's greatest sports heroes
Sport isn't just about who does what the fastest or farthest, or which superstar makes the most money -- it's about inspiration and challenging limits, as well. And in our own little corner of the world, Singapore has its own paragons of personal triumph over athletic adversity. (And, yes, money. Athletes gotta eat too!)
Fandi Ahmad: Football
All of Singapore roared at the final whistle of the 1994 Malaysia Cup final. The little red dot had won 4–0, and Fandi Ahmad led the way with a foot in almost every goal made or created. But he represented far more. Ahmad was (and still is) the poster boy for soccer success. He was the first Singaporean to sign with a European soccer club, and the first Singaporean to score against soccer powerhouse Inter Milan. But most of all, Ahmad and his teammates succeeded where National Day campaigns failed -- they turned Singaporeans into "One People, One Nation" on match days, 7pm to 9pm.
Fandi leading the Singapore Lions to the Malaysia 1994 championship. YouTube video from j0ep3t3r.
Li Jiawei: Table tennis queen
This Chinese lass might not have been born or bred in Singapore, but she had Singaporeans cheering during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Li Jiawei, with teammates Feng Tianwei and Wang Yuegu, took the silver medal in team table tennis for Singapore. Why is it a huge deal? It was only the second Olympic medal ever won by the city-state (the first goes to weightlifter Tan Howe Liang in 1960). That feat, along with her personal track record as a perennial gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games, ITTF Pro Tour, and Southeast Asia Games since 1999, is enough to land her on our list of sports heroes.
Li Jiawei takes the silver aganst Wang Chen of USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Table Tennis Women's Singles. YouTube video from Beanny46.
Yip Pin Xiu: Paralympic swimmer
The year 2008 also gave Singapore her biggest feel-good sports story. In the 2008 Paralympics, Yip Pin Xiu and equestrienne Laurentia Tan won the republic's first Paralympic medals. Yip, winner of silver in the 50m freestyle and gold in the 50m backstroke, struggled with muscular dystrophy from birth. But under the tutelage of Ang Peng Siong (also known as Singapore’s "flying fish"), she developed into a competitive swimmer who regularly leaves opponents sputtering in her wake. More importantly, their success at the Paralympics sparked a debate over the recognition of disabled athletes and general attitudes toward the disabled.
Sixteen-year-old Yip Pin Xiu won the gold medal in the 50m backstroke and silver in the 50m freestyle event at the Beijing Paralympics 2008. YouTube video from theonlinecitizen.
Kim Khan “Zig Zach” Zak: Muay Thai
Think Singaporeans are passive folk who would "beahh" our way into submission? Kim Khan “Zig Zach” Zaki says otherwise with his elbows, fists, and knees. The personal trainer’s greatest achievement was being made Singapore’s entry for Contender Asia 2008 -- a reality TV show that pitted Muay Thai fighters from around the world against each other. While he bowed out early due to a dislocated shoulder, his rematch in the show's final episode showed audiences that this kid could fight. With that experience behind him, Kim is probably the only Singaporean Muay Thai fighter who takes part in international bouts, and has since recorded 13 wins out of 19 fights. That’s not too shabby at all.
Kim Khan Zaki takes on Zidov 'Akuma' Dominik in the Contender Asia match. YouTube video from nyghtsky.
George Lee: The survivor
The Subaru Impreza Challenge is Singapore’s version of Survivor, except that it’s literally the last man standing who wins it all. The grueling competition pits contestants against rain, shine, mosquitoes, and gut-busting, infrequent toilet breaks in an effort to keep their palms on a brand new car. Sound impossible and sadistic? Well, army officer George Lee outlasted all other contenders with a record time of 81 hours, 32 minutes. That’s three-and-a-half days spent weathering the elements. He’s not spilling his secret, but we're guessing that his Ironman training helped. After all, triathletes are suckers for punishment.
George Lee outstood and outlasted all other contestants to set a new record for the annual Subaru Impreza Challenge. YouTube video from SgAUT0.
Which local hero inspires you in the sporting arena? Drop us your favorite icon below.
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