Four way fight

After a momentous 2014 which included the Youth Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, many outstanding individuals put themselves firmly in the shop window for the coveted Singapore Sports Awards.

The finalists were revealed yesterday for eight categories, from Sportsman to Sportsgirl of the Year.

Another three awards - Best Sports Event of the Year (Local), Best Sports Event of the Year (International) and Most Inspiring Sports Story of the Year - will also be given out.

Table tennis star Feng Tianwei, who won in 2010 and 2013, is in the running for her third Sportswoman of the Year award.

But she will face a tough battle with the other finalists - shooter Jasmine Ser, swimmer Tao Li and bowler Jazreel Tan.

On the men's side, however, it is a little more straightforward, with swim sensation Joseph Schooling leading the pack for the Sportsman of the Year award.

The 20-year-old had a breakthrough year in 2014, winning Singapore's first swimming medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

It got even better for Schooling in Incheon, South Korea, where he bagged the nation's first swimming gold at the Asiad.

The other finalists are badminton player Derek Wong, silver medallist at the Commonwealth Games, along with table tennis player Zhan Jian, who won two golds and a bronze in Glasgow.

Annabel Pennefather, chairman of the awards organising committee, said: "The year 2014 was a particularly memorable one for our athletes and teams, as they punched above their weight and proved their mettle at three major Games.

"There were many commendable nominations put forward by the national sports associations for consideration.

"It is indeed very encouraging to see representatives from different sports making the final shortlist."

The winners will be announced at the Singapore Sports Awards presentation ceremony on Aug 5, at Marina Mandarin Hotel.

This article was first published on July 11, 2015.
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