Joseph Schooling wins Sportsman of the Year at Singapore Sports Awards 2017
Schooling, 22, was a strong contender for the award after his historic achievement at the Rio Olympics, winning Singapore's first-ever gold medal.
Joseph Schooling bagged the Sportsman of the Year award for the fourth time at the Singapore Sports Awards 2017. (Photo: Singapore National Olympic Council)
SINGAPORE: Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling on Tuesday (Aug 8) bagged the Sportsman of the Year award for the fourth time at the Singapore Sports Awards.
Organised by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore (SportSG), the awards celebrate the achievements of the country's best athletes and officials in 2016.
Schooling, 22, was a strong contender for the award after his historic achievement at the Rio Olympics, winning Singapore's first-ever gold medal. He was nominated along with cue sports' Peter Edward Gilchrist and Silat athlete Muhammad Shakir Bin Juanda.
The swimming champ was only 16 years old when he was first crowned Sportsman of the Year in 2012.
This was the first time Schooling was present to receive his award in person, and the swimmer said that it was a "great feeling" and that being there in person "made it that much more special".
"I still want to accomplish more in my swimming career. I am definitely nowhere close to being done. I was definitely satisfied with accomplishing my lifelong dream ... I still have more to go and more to give, and that's what keeps me getting out of bed every morning," he said.
Meanwhile, Sportswoman of the Year went to bowler New Hui Fen. She was up against table tennis player Feng Tianwei, shooter Jasmine Ser and Silat athlete Nurul Suhaila Binte Mohd Saiful.
Silat athlete Sheik Farhan won Sportsboy of the Year, and fencer Lau Ywen was named Sportsgirl of the Year.
Looking forward to competing in the SEA Games, Lau said, "I've already done 2015, which was in our own country, but I've never gone overseas representing the country so I'm quite excited. I will be training quite hard. And I'm just going to go there and try my best."
Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean paid tribute to Singapore's sporting successes, including Schooling's Olympic gold, as well as the two Paralympic gold and a bronze won by swimmers Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh in Rio.
"The Olympics is the pinnacle of sports. To get there, our NSAs and athletes have to scale the mountain, step by step. Building the base, competing over competitions, the SEA Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, earning their spurs. With systematic planning, development and commitment, our athletes have been doing well."
DPM Teo, who is also patron of SNOC, also spoke about the importance of sport towards building a strong Singapore spirit and identity.
"Sports has the ability to inspire, and contribute to a strong Singapore identity and spirit," he said. "Sports can help Singaporeans from all walks of life together, bring them together as we cheer and support our athletes, regardless of the time zone they are competing in."
"Each time Majulah Singapura is sung, we feel a strong sense of pride and joy."
He congratulated the athletes and officials, and urged them to keep striving towards their goals.
"Your stories and experiences will contribute to make an impact and inspire many others in Singapore and around the world," he said.
