Paralympics: Singapore's para-riders miss out on medals

Gemma Foo in action in Rio. PHOTO: JOAN CHEW
Gemma Foo in action in Rio. PHOTO: JOAN CHEW
Equestrian rider Gemma Rose Foo, 20, at the Mixed zone of the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Rio. PHOTO: JOAN CHEW
Laurentia Tan in action in Rio. PHOTO: JOAN CHEW
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu watches Gemma Foo in action in Rio. PHOTO: JOAN CHEW
Para-rider Laurentia Tan, 37 at the mixed zone of the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Rio on Sept 15, 2016. PHOTO: JOAN CHEW
Ms Grace Fu and Singapore supporters surround the three para-riders from Singapore (from left) Maximillian Tan, Laurentia Tan and Gemma Rose Foo after Gemma and Laurentia have completed their rides. PHOTO: MCCY
Singapore's para-riders (from left) Maximillian Tan, Laurentia Tan and Gemma Rose Foo. PHOTO: MCCY

RIO DE JANEIRO - Singapore para-rider Laurentia Tan, 37, missed out on a medal for Singapore in the Rio Paralympics, placing fifth in para-equestrian dressage yesterday afternoon.

She scored 73.522 in the Individual Championship Test Grade IA, 0.304 behind third-placed Brazil's Sergio Olivia (73.826).

Great Britain's Sophie Christiansen and Anne Dunham clinched gold and silver respectively.

Singapore's other rider Gemma Rose Foo, 20, ended 24th of 26 riders with 62.000.

At the mixed zone, both women said they were somewhat disappointed with their rides. On a scale of one to 10 with 10 being the most satisfied, Tan gave herself a seven, while Foo gave herself a six.

Said Tan: I'm a little disappointed. But anything can happen with this sport and I still have my freestyle event to look forward to tomorrow.

"Not having a podium finish will not affect my mood for tomorrow because tomorrow is another day."

Tan, who has profound deafness and speaks through an interpreter, said she felt that her horse, a seven-year-old Gelding called Fuerst Sherlock, could have been "a little bit more active in the ride".

Foo entered the Games still in recovery from an accident in March this year when she was thrown from her horse and underwent surgery for a a ruptured spleen.

She said: "I'm really glad to be able to participate in this competition because when I had my accident, I thought that's it, I won't be able to compete, but here I am."

Tan is Singapore's most successful Paralympian, with four medals from two Paralympics.

She won two bronze medals at the 2008 Beijing Games and bettered her achievements in London 2012 with a bronze and a silver.

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