SEA Games Singapore: Team Republic’s 2025 Medal Hunt & Highlights

Photo Credits: Team Singapore

The atmosphere in Thailand is electric as the 2025 Southeast Asian Games are well underway, and the SEA games Singapore contingent is making its presence felt across Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla. With the largest-ever delegation of 930 athletes competing in 48 sports, the Republic has descended on the Land of Smiles with high hopes and a steely determination to fly the flag high.

As the action unfolds, fans back home are glued to their screens, cheering for every triumph and rallying behind the athletes during tough moments. From the pool to the dojo, here is a comprehensive look at how Team Singapore is faring at the 33rd SEA Games.

A Strong Start: Early Gold Rush

The Games officially roared to life on December 9, and it did not take long for Singapore’s national anthem, Majulah Singapura, to ring out in the arenas. By the second day of full competition, the medal tally had already begun to tick upwards, fueled by stellar performances in canoeing, martial arts, and aquatics.

One of the standout moments in the early days came from the water. The canoeing team, always a reliable source of silverware, delivered gold in the Mixed K2 500m event. The dynamic duo of Stephenie Chen and Lucas Teo proved to be a class apart, slicing through the waters with synchronised precision to claim the top spot. It was a sweet victory that set the tone for the rest of the contingent.

Martial arts also provided early joy. In Jujitsu, Jedd Tan displayed immense technical skill and composure to clinch the gold in the Men’s U77kg category. His victory was a testament to the growing prowess of Singapore’s combat sports athletes, who have been steadily rising in regional prominence.

Taekwondo, too, contributed to the gold haul. The mixed pair of Diyanah Aqidah and Nicholas Khaw dazzled judges in the Poomsae event, executing their routine with near-perfect form to secure the yellow metal. Their success highlights the depth of talent in Singapore’s martial arts fraternity, which continues to produce champions capable of holding their own against traditional powerhouses.

Aquatics: A New Era in the Pool

For decades, swimming has been the crown jewel of Singapore’s SEA Games campaigns. However, the 2025 edition marks a significant shift—a reality check of sorts in the post-Joseph Schooling era. With a target of 20 gold medals, the 71-strong aquatics squad (including diving, water polo, and artistic swimming) faces its stiffest challenge in years.

While the “SEA games Singapore” swim team remains a formidable force, the competition from neighbours like Vietnam and the Philippines has intensified. Early races saw a mix of triumph and introspection. Sprint sensation Mikkel Lee delivered a stunning performance to win gold, clocking a blistering 48.65 seconds in the freestyle, proving he is ready to shoulder the mantle of leadership. Letitia Sim also added to the gold tally, continuing her rise as one of the region’s premier breaststrokers.

However, there were shocks as well. The legendary Quah siblings—Ting Wen, Zheng Wen, and Jing Wen—faced fierce resistance. In a surprising turn of events, the siblings missed out on gold in some of their pet events during the opening days, sparking conversations about the changing of the guard in Southeast Asian swimming. National head coach Gary Tan has described this as the “toughest” Games since 2013, acknowledging that the gap is closing. Yet, the spirit in the camp remains high, with the team determined to fight for every inch in the remaining races.

Fencing: Sharpening the Blades

Away from the water, the fencing squad has arrived in Thailand with quiet confidence. Bolstered by a blend of youth and experience, the fencers are looking to dominate the piste. Two-time Olympian Amita Berthier leads the women’s foil team, bringing world-class experience to the regional stage.

The team’s preparation has been rigorous, including an intensive training camp in South Korea just weeks before the Games. With debutants eager to make their mark alongside seasoned campaigners, Singapore fencing is eyeing a historic haul. The aim is not just to reach the podium but to challenge for gold in every weapon category, cementing Singapore’s status as a fencing powerhouse in ASEAN.

Football: A Tough Lesson

On the football pitch, the Young Lions have found the going tough. Football at the SEA Games is always a highly charged affair, and Group B proved to be a baptism of fire. In a crucial match against heavyweights Thailand, Singapore fought bravely but ultimately fell to a 2-0 defeat.

The result leaves the team with a mountain to climb to progress from the group stages, especially after a challenging fixture against Indonesia earlier in the week. While the scorelines have not gone their way, the team’s resilience and fighting spirit remain evident. For the fans, the hope is that these tough matches will serve as valuable lessons for a squad that is still developing.

Looking Ahead: The Road to 2029

As the 2025 Games continue, every medal won and every personal best achieved carries extra significance. It is not just about glory in Thailand; it is about building momentum for the future. The phrase “SEA games Singapore” will take on its most literal and significant meaning in four years’ time, as the Republic is set to host the 35th SEA Games in 2029.

Confirmed as hosts by the SEA Games Federation, Singapore will welcome the region’s best athletes back to its shores for the first time since the golden jubilee celebrations in 2015. That edition was a historic high, with Team Singapore winning a record 84 golds. The current crop of athletes competing in Thailand knows that they are the core of the squad that will perform on home soil in 2029.

Young talents gaining exposure in Thailand today will be the seasoned veterans leading the charge at the Singapore Sports Hub in 2029. The experiences gained in Bangkok—the pressure of the finals, the roar of the away crowd, and the taste of victory or defeat—are invaluable building blocks for a home Games that promises to be spectacular.

Cheering on Team Singapore

With plenty of action still to come in athletics, bowling, badminton, and table tennis, the medal tally is sure to grow. The athletics contingent, the largest ever sent to an away Games, is looking to build on Shanti Pereira’s historic successes from previous years. Meanwhile, the shuttlers, led by Loh Kean Yew and Yeo Jia Min, are smashing their way through the rounds in search of glory.

As the “SEA games Singapore” journey rolls on in Thailand, the support from back home remains the wind beneath the athletes’ wings. Whether it is a gold medal performance or a gritty fight to the finish, Team Singapore is doing the nation proud, one event at a time. Stay tuned as we continue to track the Republic’s quest for sporting excellence in the Land of Smiles.