Banking on athletics to deliver

To many, it's a no-brainer that Singapore should surpass the 1993 South-east Asia (SEA) Games haul of 50 gold medals.

But if Team Singapore are to break the 70-gold medal mark come June, the powerhouse sports must deliver.

Bowling, sailing, shooting, swimming and table tennis are once again expected to boost the gold tally for Team Singapore at this year's SEA Games, from June 5-16.

However, the Republic will also need a few surprises from other sports.

And, in that respect, athletics has the biggest room to manoeuvre in the race for surprise golds.

For there are 46 golds at stake, and chef de mission Nicholas Fang says it is the sport with the biggest room for improvement.

In its forecast of 75 gold medals for the 2015 SEA Games, The New Paper tipped just one gold medal in track and field.

But Singapore Athletics president Tang Weng Fei is hopeful of upsets come June.

While the national throwers have consistently delivered golds at the SEA Games - Zhang Guirong will be gunning for her fifth straight shot put gold - there is optimism that this year will be the runners' turn to shine on the National Stadium track come June.

"We should at least equal, if not better, our medal haul (of two golds, three silvers, three bronzes) from the Myanmar SEA Games (in 2013)," Tang told TNP.

"There is reason to be optimistic about our sprinters. The 4x100m men's team lost to Thailand in Myanmar but, with home support this time round, you never know.

"There's also Shanti (Pereira) in the women's 100m and 200m, and the marathoners (Soh Rui Yong and Ashley Liew).

"Shanti has only the Thai runner to beat, now that the Vietnamese girl (who won gold in Myanmar) has retired.

"The athletes are happy with their progress, they are not struggling, which is important.

"If everyone stays healthy, we have a good chance."

The Republic's athletes finished the two-day Singapore Open Track and Field Championships at the National Stadium last month with three golds, six silvers and 15 bronzes, along with three new national marks.

They finished sixth in the overall team standings, with Indonesia taking top honours with nine golds.

The athletes will have a final tune-up before the home Games at the Taiwan Open next month in Taipei.

WINNING ATTITUDE

SEA Games CDM Fang hopes that good performances from the less prolific sports such as track and field will take the pressure off the other athletes.

He said: "I went down to the Singapore Track and Field Open (last month) and there seemed to be a winning attitude among our athletes.

"The high jumpers and the pole vaulters are doing well and the sprinters are fighting for a medal. Once you're in the medal race, you can push for the gold.

"It's tough to put a numerical target on our medal haul overall.

"We are not operating in a vacuum - others have made strides as well, such as Myanmar, who years ago, were never in the running, but now they have just hosted a Games.

"The 50-gold target is certainly achievable, but the way to go forward is attaining gold medals from a broad base of events."

Our best hopes

SHANTI PEREIRA (women's 200m) Personal best: 23.99s 2013 winning time: Vu Thi Huong, Vietnam (23.55s)

AMIRUDIN JAMAL (men's 100m) Personal best: 10.46s 2013 winning time: Jirapong Meenapra, Thailand (10.48s)

ZHANG GUIRONG (shot put) Personal best: 18.57m 2013 winning distance: Zhang Guirong, Singapore (14.99m)

MICHELLE SNG (high jump) Personal best: 1.84m 2013 winning height: Duong Thi Viet Anh, Vietnam (1.84m)

MEN'S 4X100M RELAY (Gary Yeo, Calvin Kang, Elfi Mustapa and Lee Cheng Wei) Personal best: 39.45s 2013 winning time: Thailand (39.75s) SOH RUI YONG (marathon) Personal best: 2:26:01 2013 winning time: Mok Ying Ren, Singapore (2:28:36)

ASHLEY LIEW (marathon) Personal best: 2:32:12 2013 winning time: Mok Ying Ren, Singapore (2:28:36)

This article was first published on April 17, 2015.
Get The New Paper for more stories.