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KORAT, Thailand : It's Singapore's best performance yet at the SEA Games - with a haul of 43 gold medals, just two short of the 45 target.
But it's still one gold medal better than the showing in the Philippines two years ago.
It was Singapore's largest ever SEA Games contingent.
The 400-strong athletes are a mix of youth and experience, and nearly half are below the age of 21.
Sports such as gymnastics, shooting and table tennis went beyond initial expectations.
"I would say this 43 (gold medals) came about not only from the efforts of the athletes, but also how the national sports associations team managers meeting had predicted, ... and that's what they are going to deliver... I am pleased that they knew what they were talking about and pleased we have met the target," said Low Teo Ping, Chef de Mission, Team Singapore.
Singapore's gold medal campaign started well. The shooters led the way with 8 golds before the official opening ceremony.
Table tennis swept the competition, winning all 7 gold medals at stake.
But it was swimming that took home the most - 11 gold medals.
Even with the retirement of golden girl Joselin Yeo, her successors like Tao Li didn't miss a beat. On the way to gold, Singapore also broke 3 SEA Games swimming records.
And towards the closing stages, Singapore cruised home with 4 gold medals in sailing - 3 fewer than before.
Tricky weather and sea conditions were also a factor in Pattaya where the sailing competition was held. In Manila 2005, the sailing team took 7 gold.
Singapore's first team sailors also missed out on competing this time because they're training for the upcoming Beijing Olympics.
With the emphasis on youth, the SEA Games will play a big role in Singapore's sports development.
Low said: "We're now involved trying to evolve a sporting culture in Singapore. ... I'm also chairing the sub committee on sporting eco-system, and I'm going to recommend that to be part of it. The SEA Games, being in the vicinity of Singapore, not only gives an opportunity for wider and larger participation of our youths to challenge themselves, it can also be used as a launching pad towards attaining higher levels of performance."
Although it was a credible overall performance this time, there were some sports that did not make the grade.
According to Mr Low, these include cuesport, bodybuilding, basketball, equestrian, dancesport, squash, cycling, golf, sepak takraw and taekwondo.
The Singapore Sports Council and Singapore National Olympic Council will take a closer analysis of Team Singapore's performance at this year’s games and will reveal their findings in a few weeks' time.
But beyond the gold medals and smashing records, the city-state's SEA Games achievement could easily be eclipsed in the years to come.
With Singapore's sport scene set to grow along with the positive backing from the government, Team Singapore could be well on its way to be a sporting force to be reckoned with in the future. - CNA /ls
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