Shanti Pereira named Singapore Sportswoman of the Year; Maximilian Maeder clinches Sportsboy hat-trick

SINGAPORE: Sprinter Shanti Pereira and kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder were among the winners at the annual Singapore Sports Awards on Monday (Jun 3).

At the ceremony held at Orchard Hotel Singapore, sprint queen Pereira took home the Sportswoman of the Year title, while back-to-back world champion Maeder won the Sportsboy of the Year.

Bowler Darren Ong, who won the World Championships men’s singles title last year took home the Sportsman of the Year title.

Wushu exponent Zeanne Law was named Sportsgirl of the Year title. 

While this is Pereira’s first time winning the award, Maeder has now taken his title three consecutive times.

Organised by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) as well as Sport Singapore, and supported by the Tote Board, Singapore Sports Awards recognise the most deserving individuals and teams in sports for 2023.

In her speech, SNOC president Grace Fu singled out Pereira and Maeder for their “exceptional achievements”. 

“Shanti Pereira’s feats at the Asian Games silenced the nation. Her relentless pursuit of excellence brought her immense success on the track ... She showed us that with hard work and determination, anything is possible,” said Ms Fu, who is also Minister for Sustainability and the Environment.     

“Max Maeder’s triumph in kitefoiling has been nothing short of spectacular … His achievements highlight his talent and sacrifices, and Max has set new benchmarks for Singapore sport.”

Other nominees for the Sportsboy of the Year award were swimmer Nicholas Mahabir, table tennis player Izaac Quek, fencer Samuel Robson and bowler Aiman Lim.

Maeder will be one of the medal contenders at the upcoming Olympics where kitefoiling will make its Games debut in Marseille.

Last month, he successfully defended his kitefoiling world title after winning the men's event at the 2024 Formula Kite World Championships.

The win meant that the Asian Games gold medalist won five events in a row, with the youngster winning the men's title at the Formula Kite European Championships in March.

Pereira is currently in Sweden as part of preparations for the Olympics. Her father received the award on her behalf.

The other nominees for the Sportswoman of the Year award were indoor skydiver Kyra Poh, bowler Cherie Tan, wushu exponent Kimberly Ong, canoeist Stephenie Chen and swimmer Letitia Sim. 

2023 was a career-defining year for Pereira. At the Hangzhou Asian Games, she won the women’s 200m final.  This was Singapore’s first athletics gold medal since 1974. Days before, Pereira ended Singapore’s nearly 50-year wait for a track and field medal at the Asian Games, after she clinched a silver in the 100m. 

In August, she became the first Singaporean to make a World Championships semi-finals after a stellar showing in the 200m.

Pereira notched a sprint double at the Asian Athletics Championships in July and also became the first Singaporean woman to win both the 100m and 200m events at the same edition of the SEA Games in May.

However, the sprinter suffered an injury setback earlier this year which sidelined her from full training for some time. In an interview with CNA last month, she said that she has "pretty much recovered”.

Pereira’s coach Luis Cunha, who has been instrumental in her success, took the Coach of the Year award.