Singapore Sports Awards 2004, at 8.00pm at the Shangri-La Hotel
by Lynn Koh

WINNERS ALL

For the SNOC, the annual Singapore Sports Awards, which recognise our sporting elite, mark the highlight of each calender year. Last week, top performers in 2003 were honoured at a ceremony graced by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Mrs Goh Chok Tong at the Shangri-La Hotel. Also present were Minister for Defence and president of Singapore National Olympic Council Rear-Adm (NS) Teo Chee Hean and Minister of Community Development and Sports Dr Yaacob Ibrahim. For all the big names present, the night still belonged to the athletes, inlcuding the five big winners highlighted in our latest feature.

BIG MAN, BIG PRIZE

James Wong - Sportsman of the Year

A seven-time SEA Games gold medallist, James Wong, has won the Meritorious Award on five occasions. But the Big Prize has eluded the Big Man – until now. This is why his Sportsman of the Year title holds special meaning – for him and for those who have rooted for him all these years.For James himself, the award marks the high point of an enduring and fruitful career. Apart from SEA Games glory, this has included the rare honour of being ranked among Singapore’s Top 50 Athletes of the 20th Century (The Straits Times).

For those who have been behind him all the way, the award couldn’t have gone to a more deserving individual. They have seen – up close - his toil, focus, sacrifice and dedication.Despite work and family commitments, the strength & conditioning coach at the Singapore Sports Council, who won his first SEA Games gold medal way back in 1993, has been holding his own against younger opponents. In the 2003 SEA Games, he showed he meant business when he won the discus gold with a hurl of 56.49m at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi.

In winning the much-coveted Sportsman of the Year title, James Wong shows that it pays to deliver – and wait. For when the moment of glory finally comes, it will taste that much sweeter because he has paid his dues - and then some.

AMONG THE BEST

Li Jiawei - Sportswoman of the Year

Following her golden performances at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester where she and her team mates created sporting history for Singapore, much has been expected of Li Jiawei. This petite paddler has delivered.At the 2002 Asian Games in South Korea, she held her own against some of Asia’s best, earning herself a bronze. At the 2003 SEA Games in Vietnam, she was the most outstanding player. She walked away with four gold medals at the Hai Duong Hall in Hanoi – women’s singles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles and team event.

Considering her consistent performances, it is no surprise that Jiawei, who now has 10 gold medals since her SEA Games debut in 1999, has already been crowned Sportswoman of the Year twice before this latest title.

Winning it the third time in a row doesn’t make it any less thrilling for her. If anything, it is even more exciting this time. For she now joins the likes of swimmers Junie Sng and Joscelin Yeo and bowler Grace Young – elite athletes who have won this title thrice, the maximum number of times allowed.

COACH, MENTOR & FRIEND

Calvin Yew - Coach of the Year

A lot of sports fans have heard the poignant stories behind the success of our bodybuilders, who won gold medals for Singapore at the 2002 Asian Games and 2003 SEA Games. What they may be less familiar with is the dedication of the coach behind them – the unassuming Calvin Yew.

Always in the background to guide his charges and lend them support, he has not looked back since he was appointed national coach by the Singapore Bodybuilders’ Federation since 2001. He has helped the national team to achieve results not only at major events like the Asian Games and SEA Games but also in other regional and international competitions. Operating quietly from Delta Gym, the training ground of the national team, he is a man of few words. But when it comes to serious training and delivering results, he has few equals.

Yet his contributions cannot be measured just in terms of medals won. In his role as national coach, he has also been mentor and friend to our top bodybuilders, including Simon Chua, Halim Haron, Mohd Ismail and Amir Zainal. This is why they have all have tasted their highest level of success under him.

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Ong Jun Hong - Sportsboy Of the Year

At the 2003 SEA Games in Vietnam, schoolboy shooter Ong Jun Hong, 15, was just expected to be a journeyman. Afterall, he was making his SEA Games debut. The fact that he was competing against the 10m air rifle world record holder certainly didn’t help matters. Then there was his untimely illness. Battling a high fever, he had to wear three layers of clothing. Yet the shivering continued and the panadols couldn’t stop the pounding in his head. Indeed, the recipe for a big flop was all there.

Yet the gutsy youngster held his own to earn a silver medal, just behind the world record holder from Thailand.Jun Hong, who picked up shooting only in 2000, also helped his team mates to win a bronze medal in the team event.

With his success in Vietnam, this promising youngster has broken a few stereotypes. For a start, he has shown that shooting – contrary to popular belief - is a sport which the young can excel in. In overcoming the overwhelming odds against him in Hanoi, he has dispelled the myth that youths here are soft.

DARE TO DREAM

Low Sanmay - Sportgirl of the Year

Gymnast Low Sanmay made news when she, despite scoring straight As for her GCE ‘O’ levels, opted to study in a private school rather than a top junior college. Her reason? She wanted to give top priority to her sport as she prepared for the 2003 SEA Games in Vietnam. She knew that was the only way to get the result she wanted – a medal to make up for the fact that she just missed out on the bronze at the 2001 SEA Games in KL.

The decision paid off. She mounted the rostrum thrice for her two silvers (individual all-round and team) and a bronze (floor exercise) in Hanoi. Along the way, the 18-year-old made a statement for gymnastics, creating a new chapter in the history of the sport here.

Confident and articulate, this unassuming athlete has also availed herself for talks or interaction sessions with students in educational institutions. For them, she is an obvious role model – smart, sporty and sweet. She has also shown them what daring to dream means and how taking the road less travelled has its rewards.