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SINGAPORE: The NATAS Singapore Women's Everest Team is literally on top of the world after reaching the summit of Mount Everest
27-year-old Lee Li Hui, 26-year-old Esther Tan and 25-year-old Jane Lee reached the world's tallest mountain standing at 8850m early Wednesday morning.
After five years of planning and training, they are now the first Singaporean women to conquer Mount Everest.View the Everest Gallery
Their trainer Lim Kim Boon, who is also their base camp manager described how elated they felt when they reached the summit.
He said: "They are very happy. They are very excited except that the scenery is not as good as they had expected. And they all were very, very happy and very thrilled."
Over at Republic Polytechnic where Lee Li Hui and Jane Lee are staff members, their colleagues and students could barely contain their pride and joy.
David Lim, staff, Republic Polytechnic, said: "It really represents that if women put in the time and effort and they set their objectives right, they can achieve things on par with men."
Meanwhile, Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has expressed his joy at the success of Singapore's first women's Everest Team.
He said: “I am just so happy. I have known the team for more than seven years now since some of them were undergraduates. And I knew they always had this dream of being on top of the world. And I got the news early this morning that they have achieved their dream.
"I think all of us supporters were literally on top of the world as well. Now I am looking forward to the second team also reaching the top. And I am confident that they will do so. And then we will have a great party when they return. It's a great achievement for Singapore
Many other Singaporeans Channel NewsAsia interviewed were also proud of their achievement.
"It is great, really I appreciate them. I’ll give them a hug," said one.
"It's very admirable. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to climb up,” said another Singaporean.
"Always remember one thing, you need drive, you need spirit, and in the Singapore spirit always say never say die," said one man in the street.
As for their family members who sent them off at the airport two months ago, they're now waiting to learn when the team members will return to base camp.
Li Hui's mother Madam Li said that she's very happy for her daughter and relieved that she reached the summit safely.
A sentiment shared by Esther's boyfriend Guo Yong who said the team's success was a great start to his day.
The second half of the Singapore women's team plan to make their summit attempt on Friday. - CNA/vm
View the Everest Gallery
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