Famous Singaporean Sportspersons

Joseph Schooling is a Singaporean former professional swimmer known for his expertise in butterfly, freestyle, and medley events. He made history by winning the gold medal in the 100m butterfly at the 2016 Olympics, securing Singapore's first Olympic gold. Schooling was a standout athlete at the University of Texas at Austin, where he was part of the renowned Texas Longhorns swimming team. After retiring from competitive swimming in 2024, he shifted his focus to his swim school and other business endeavors.

Loh Kean Yew is a Singaporean badminton player who rose to prominence by becoming the men's singles world champion at the 2021 BWF World Championships, a historic achievement for Singapore. His badminton journey began with a scholarship from the Singapore Sports School after displaying talent in the Penang state team. Representing Singapore internationally since 2015, Loh has participated in prestigious events like the SEA Games and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, showcasing his skills and dedication to the sport at the highest levels.

Narelle Kheng is a multi-talented Singaporean singer, actress, and former national swimmer. She rose to prominence in 2012 with her debut in the Singaporean band The Sam Willows. Known for her versatile skills and charismatic presence, Narelle has captivated audiences with her powerful vocals and engaging performances. Throughout her professional career, she has demonstrated a strong passion for music and entertainment, establishing herself as a prominent figure in the Singaporean entertainment industry.

Mohamad Izwan bin Mahbud is a Singaporean professional footballer known for his skills as a goalkeeper. He currently plays for the Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors. Izwan Mahbud has represented Singapore at the international level, serving as the third-choice goalkeeper at the 2010 AFF Championship. He later became a key player for the national team and played a crucial role in Singapore's victory at the 2012 AFF Championship. Izwan Mahbud's talent and dedication have made him a respected figure in Singaporean football.

Indra Wijaya is a former badminton player who represented both Indonesia and Singapore. Following his retirement, he transitioned into coaching, starting at the Candra Wijaya International Badminton Centre and later becoming a men's singles coach for the South Korean team. He further expanded his coaching career by working with junior players in Malaysia from 2016 onwards. Wijaya's professional journey has been marked by his successful transition from player to coach, showcasing his expertise and dedication to the sport.

Ronald Susilo is a former Singaporean badminton player who achieved a career-high ranking of sixth in 2004. He began his badminton career at age 19 and represented Singapore starting in 2002. Susilo competed in two Olympics, the 2004 and 2008 Summer Games, serving as the flag-bearer for Singapore in 2004. After retiring in 2010, he made a comeback in 2014 to participate in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, showcasing his dedication and passion for the sport.

Aleksandar Đurić is a former professional footballer known for his prolific striking abilities and physical presence. He transitioned from a successful kayaking career to football, where he achieved numerous accolades in the Singapore league, winning eight league titles and three Singapore Cups. Internationally, he debuted for Singapore at age 37 and retired with an impressive record of 24 goals in 53 matches. After retiring from playing, he continued his involvement in football as a fitness coach for Tampines Rovers.

Wong Peng Soon was a renowned badminton player from Malaya/Singapore who dominated the sport from the 1930s to the 1950s. Known for his powerful strokes and graceful footwork, he excelled in various championships including the All England, Danish Open, and Thomas Cup. He won numerous singles titles in Singapore and Malaya, establishing himself as one of the greatest players of all time. His career was marked by fierce competition with his rival Ong Poh Lim, showcasing his exceptional talent and skill in the sport.

Feng Tianwei is a retired Singaporean table tennis player who made a significant impact in the sport. She represented Singapore in multiple Olympic Games, winning a silver medal in 2008 and bronze medals in 2012. Feng also achieved success at the 2015 Asian Cup by becoming the champion and breaking China's dominance. Despite her contract not being renewed by the Singapore Table Tennis Association in 2016, she continued to excel internationally, defeating top-ranked players like Ding Ning and Chen Meng in subsequent competitions.

Thum Ping Tjin, also known as PJ Thum, is a Singaporean historian, journalist, podcaster, activist, and former swimmer. He gained recognition for being the first Singaporean to swim the English Channel and for his participation in the 1996 Summer Olympics. Thum has served as a research associate and coordinator at Project Southeast Asia at Oxford University. He is the founder of online journalism outlet New Naratif and the creator of The History of Singapore podcast. Thum's advocacy work has led to various legal and public disputes with Singaporean politicians and authorities.

Desmond Koh Mun Kit is a former competitive swimmer from Singapore with over a decade of experience representing his nation in various international competitions. He served as the National Captain for five years, showcasing his leadership skills and commitment to the sport. Throughout his professional career, Desmond demonstrated dedication, skill, and resilience in the highly competitive world of swimming. His contributions to the sport have left a lasting impact on the swimming community in Singapore and beyond.

Amita Berthier is a highly accomplished Singaporean left-handed foil fencer, known for her numerous achievements on the international stage. She has clinched multiple NCAA Fencing Championships medals and secured victories at various prestigious competitions, including the SEA Games and Junior World Cup. Berthier made history by becoming the first Singaporean fencer to win an Olympic spot through a qualifying tournament. With a strong individual ranking and dedicated training under national foil head coach Oleg Matseichuk, she continues to strive for excellence in her sport.

Saiyidah Aisyah Mohamed Rafa’ee, known professionally as Aisyah, is a Singaporean rower who made history as Singapore's first Olympic rower. She achieved this milestone by placing 23rd in the women's single sculls event at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Aisyah's dedication and skill in rowing have earned her recognition both nationally and internationally. Her achievement at the Olympics highlights her commitment to the sport and serves as an inspiration to aspiring rowers in Singapore and beyond.

Tan Chong Tee was a Chinese resistance fighter during World War II, known for his bravery and dedication in fighting against the Japanese occupation in Singapore and Malaya. Prior to the war, he was a skilled badminton player. Tan joined Force 136 in 1942 and was captured by the Japanese in 1944 while on a mission, enduring torture during his captivity. After the war, he resumed his passion for badminton and transitioned into a successful career as a businessman.

Yu Mengyu is a retired Singaporean table tennis player who made her international debut in 2006 after joining the Singapore Table Tennis Association. Throughout her career, she achieved significant milestones, including being part of the team that won the 2010 World Team Table Tennis Championships. She represented Singapore in the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics and was praised by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for her indomitable spirit. Despite battling injuries, Yu's dedication to the sport earned her the title of Sportswoman of the Year in the Singapore Sports Awards 2022 and a spot in the Singapore Sport Hall of Fame in 2024.

Wang Yuegu is a retired Chinese-born Singaporean table tennis player who achieved international success during her career. She made her debut on the ITTF Pro Tour in 2005 and went on to win numerous medals, including gold at the Japan Open and the German Open. Wang also played a key role in Singapore's victories at the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships and the Liebherr World Team Table Tennis Championships. She represented Singapore at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, winning silver and bronze medals respectively before retiring in 2012.

Yeo Jia Min is a prominent Singaporean badminton player who has achieved significant success in her career. She is a former World Junior No.1 and made history as the first Singaporean player to reach the top of the BWF's ranking system, both in junior and senior categories. Yeo Jia Min's exceptional skills and dedication to the sport have earned her recognition on the international stage, solidifying her reputation as a talented and accomplished athlete in the world of badminton.

Beiwen Zhang is a Chinese-born American badminton player known for her prowess in singles matches. She has achieved notable victories, including winning the women's singles title at the 2021 Pan Am Championships and the 2023 Pan American Games. Zhang's professional career is marked by her exceptional skills on the badminton court, where she has demonstrated a strong competitive spirit and determination to succeed. Her achievements in international competitions highlight her talent and dedication to the sport of badminton.

Li Jiawei is a retired Chinese-born former Singaporean table tennis player, known for her successful career as a competitive athlete. She achieved significant milestones throughout her professional journey, including representing Singapore in four Olympic Games and earning two Olympic medals. Li excelled in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events, contributing to Singapore's success in international table tennis competitions. Her accomplishments include winning medals at the Olympics and other prestigious tournaments, solidifying her reputation as a key player in the sport before retiring in 2012.

Isabelle Li Siyun is a successful Singaporean table tennis player with a remarkable track record in international competitions. She has achieved notable success in various events, including winning gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2008 and being part of the team that claimed victory in the women's team event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Her talent and dedication have also earned her a silver medal at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics and multiple medals in Southeast Asian Games events, highlighting her skill and competitive spirit.

Gao Ning is a retired Chinese-born Singaporean table tennis player who has made a significant impact in the sport. With a world ranking of 34 as of August 2016, he is regarded as Singapore's best male player. Throughout his career, Gao has achieved notable successes, including winning gold medals in various events at the Commonwealth Games. He has also taken on coaching roles, currently serving as the Singapore Table Tennis National Coach for men. Gao's dedication and talent have solidified his reputation as a respected figure in the table tennis community.