Sea of medals
NTU student-athletes contributed to 40 of Team Singapore’s 202 medals at the recent Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games). Three individual-event winners share what it took to make it to the top
by Kwok Pei Fang
Photo: SportSG/Peeradon Saha-Ariyapat
SAILING
Women's ILCA 6 (Gold)
"I’ve always been about the process, not the results. But this gold medal reflects the effort the people around me, and I, have sown into this journey.
2025 was my first year racing on the international senior circuit, and it really sharpened my speed and tactics for the SEA Games. My faith grounds me, reminding me that I’m loved and valued beyond my performance. I know I can always fall back on my family and friends, whose support means the world to me.”
Jania Ang,
Year 3, Sport Science & Management & NTU Talent Scholar
Photo: SNOC/Kong Chong Yew
WUSHU
Men's Taolu Taijiquan - Taijijian (Silver)
"When I started wushu, I told myself I wouldn’t stop until I became a world champion. That goal still drives me, motivating me to push harder and do better at every competition.
On competition day, I keep things light and relaxed. I blast music through my earphones and bounce around, reminding myself to enjoy the moment and perform for the crowd. Seeing it as a performance rather than a competition helps me do better.
I show up for every training session, even on days when I’m tired, because every session is a chance to improve. A consistent 1% improvement each day compounds into big gains.”
Tay Yu Xuan
Year 4, Communication Studies & NTU Talent Scholar
Photo: SNOC/Kelly Wong
FENCING
Men’s Foil Individual (Bronze)
Men’s Foil Team (Gold)
"Sports has many ups and downs, and progress isn’t always visible, but I believe that consistent effort adds up over time.
In the months leading up to the Games, I was also preparing for my final-year medical exams. Balancing training and studying is tough, but I’ve learnt to compartmentalise my fencing and school responsibilities, as well as to prioritise rest so I can stay focused and manage stress.”
Jonathan Lim
Year 5, Medicine
More highlights from the SEA Games
Photo: SportSG/Jeremy Lee
Sanjiv Rajandra won gold with the men’s water polo team.
Photo: SportSG/Peeradon Saha-Ariyapat
Nasha Binte Jeffri earned silver with the women’s floorball team.
Photo: SportSG/Bryan Foo
Noah Lim (left) powered the ju-jitsu mixed team to a bronze finish.
Photo: SNOC
Doreen Sim helped to snatch silver in the mixed ultimate division of flying disc.
YOU MADE US PROUD
NTU students shone at last December’s SEA Games, contributing six golds, 14 silvers and 20 bronzes to Singapore’s tally, especially in team events.
This story was published in the Jan-Feb 2026 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.
