Paddling to a golden finish
The jubilant Singapore Women's Team, which included Wei Tieng (4th from left); Ms Tan Li Ling (2nd from left); and Jia Yi (5th from left submerged in the water), together with the national coach, Mr Poh, after their winning match
NUS students who participated in the 17th Asian Canoe Polo Championships 2015 (ACPC) in Hong Kong in October brought home the gold medal for the first time in Singapore's history.
The victory was sweet for Year 3 Business student Chin Wei Tieng, as she was part of the women's team which narrowly missed out on the gold medal at the Championships in 2013, when Singapore faced off Iran. "I can still vividly remember chasing after the opponent, not being able to catch up with her as she scored a goal, she recalled. The tables were turned when Singapore met with Iran in the finals this year. "We are here to bring the Gold medal home, their coach, Mr Poh Tai Cong, had told the team minutes before the game commenced. It proved to be a close fight; the score remained tied at half time, with neither team showing signs of fatigue. The Singapore team persevered, and in the second half, scored two goals against Iran, clinching the first championship title for Singapore.
Wei Tieng, the recipient of the NUS Sports Grant for AY2014/15 and AY2015/16, attributed the team's success to the strong support they received, saying, "We could never have made it this far without the support and encouragement from our supporters rooting for us in Hong Kong, and those back home. The Women's Team included Year 3 Science student Lim Jia Yi and alumna Ms Tan Li Ling. Jia Yi said that she felt extremely happy as the team's hard work had paid off. "Some people in the team had been training for more than 10 years, she added.
Fellow teamNUS athlete, Year 2 Engineering student Sim Sijie, was part of the Under 21 Women's Team which lost to Iran by one goal. "I was a little disappointed as I felt we had a chance to get first place, but elated at the same time as we finished off quite well considering the fact it is the first time there is an Under 21 Women's Canoe Polo category in the Championships. Sijie, who took up the sport one year ago, received the Rookie of the Year Award for AY2014/15.
The NUS Canoe Polo team was founded in 1998, as one of the pioneering teams in Singapore. Canoe Polo is likely to be featured for the first time in the 2017 edition of the SEA Games.
Contributed by Wei Tieng and the Office of Student Affairs
