In the penultimate day of competition at the 2022 ASEAN Para Games, Team Singapore’s sharp shooting para archer Nur Syahidah Alim hit gold.
“Today’s match was a little challenging with the wind, it’s pretty tricky…like playing with my heart. But overall, I feel glad that it worked out well. I do feel a little bit of pressure especially when it’s been quite a while since the last APG (ASEAN Para Games). But with the help of my coach and my team who reminded me to be calm and cool and focus on what I needed to do during the shoot,” she said.
After five grueling days of competition in the Lapagan Kota Barat Stadium, battling the sun, wind, and nerves, Nur Syahidah fended off fierce rivals in the qualification rounds, through the knockout stages, to emerge victorious in the finals. She bested finalist Praphaporn Homjanthuek from Thailand in a battle of precision and ended her campaign in Indonesia with a final score of 144-135.
This marks the end of Nur Syahidah’s campaign at the ASEAN Para Games. “After APG I will be competing locally at the Singapore Archery Open. As for the future, we’ll just have to wait and see,” she added.
Danielle Moi added yet another bronze to her collection at the women’s 200m freestyle S14 timed finals, clocking 2:30.68 to secure the medal. She finished 3rd out of 6. Teammate Nicole Fu was 6th.
Jeremiah Liauw did not start the men’s 50m free S6.
From to pool to the tables. Singapore’s para paddler Claire Toh beat Thailand’s Suthida Saensathan 3-0 in the women’s singles TT1-2 . She then faced off against another Thai Chilchitparyak Bootwansirina but lost 3-0.
Fellow paddler Christina Lau lost her opening bout 3-0 to Thailand’s Chilchitparyak Bootwansirina in the women’s singles TT1-2. She then faced Suthida Saensathan but could not manage a recovery, losing 3-1.
Muhammad Dinie had an action filled day in the men’s singles TT3 in the Tirtonadi Sports Hall. He advanced to the quarter final after beating Indonesia’s Andi Santoso 3-1 in his first round of the day. He then continued the momentum and beat Busree Wawaeni of Thailand 3-2 before advancing to the semi-finals where he played against Thailand’s Yuttajak Glinbancheun and eventually fell 3-0.
All three para paddlers are awaiting confirmation of their final placings.
After four trying days of competing in their individual categories, Team Singapore’s boccia para athletes finally received great news.
Aloysius Gan and Toh Sze Ning earned a silver each after placing second in their respective groups. Gan secured the silver after beating Indonesia’s Rexus Ohee 8-1 in the last game of his tournament. Toh’s final day result saw her lost the gold to Thai opponent Ladamanee Kla-han 5-3 but managed to secure a silver medal.
Jeralyn Tan beat Thailand’s Satanan Phromsiri 5-1 on the final day of proceedings to place third in her group and a bronze medal
Also in the stadium, Gareth Ho and Neo Kah Whye competed valiantly but did not manage to earn a podium finish.
The silver pairing of Gan and Toh teamed up for the BC3 mixed pair pool event where they beat the Indonesia opponents 6-2. They are the last of the boccia para athletes to remain in the competition and will play tomorrow.
Elsewhere, the confirmation of previous athletics events broke news as well. Stit Nurhayati set a new personal best with 1:10.09 in the women’s 400m T20 finals to finish 4th out of 6. Teammate James Ethan Ang set a new national record and personal best with 52.95 in the men’s 400m T13 final but finishing 4th out of 4. Muhammad Nur Ariq placed 7th out of 8 in the men’s 400m T20 finals at 56.32.
At the Lorin Dwangsa Hotel Solo, Edwin Tan bounced back from his two losses from the day before for a great day in rapid chess. He beat his opening opponent Sarmiento Rodolfo of the Philippines before losing to Prasetyo Fitrianto of Indonesia. He then played Bilog Cecilio of the Philippines for the final bout of the rapid chess campaign and won to finish seventh out of 10. Tan will engage in six rounds of blitz chess tomorrow in his final participations of the Games.
Singapore’s women’s goalball team faced off against Indonesia in the semi-finals and won 4-3 in an intense match that went into overtime. Singapore were awarded a penalty which they scored to end the tie. They will face Thailand tomorrow in the final game of the tournament for the gold medal.
“The team feels really happy and relieved at the same time. It was a really close game and we were left confused at points due to the refereeing decisions, but we reminded ourselves to focus on one throw and block at a time. (Looking forward) We’ve looked through some of the previous games that the Thai team played, have taken some statistics, and have a game plan in place,” said the coach of Singapore’s goalball team, Hansen Bay.
As the para athletes head into the last day of sporting action tomorrow, the excitement is at an all time high. Among those eagerly waiting is Shawn Lin Shuang Chun, whose powerlifting event begins tomorrow at the Solo Paragon Hotel. Undoubtably, he will be spurred on by the victories of his countrymen as he looks forward to outlifting his competition for some of the medals.
Also jumping back into the pool at the Jati Diri Swimming Complex, Semarang are Singapore’s para swimmers. Seven of them will be competing across seven events on the final day of action of the APG 2022.
Catch the sporting action live here at TheHomeGroud Asia, and cheer Team Singapore’s para athletes on as they strive for gold in Solo Indonesia for the 2022 ASEAN Para Games.
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