Battle against illness inspires Kimberley Yong to launch all-women fitness competition

SINGAPORE – Kimberley Yong was in peak physical condition in 2024, running half-marathons and competing in fitness competitions around the world.

But everything changed during a holiday in Italy in September that year. She was feeling weak and her heart rate was unusually high, while her hands were trembling.

Initially she thought it was because of the jet lag and the cold weather, but the symptoms persisted even after she returned to Singapore.

A medical check-up confirmed her fear: She has suffered a hyperthyroidism relapse after three years of being in the clear.

“I thought I was super invincible, but (the relapse) hindered my progress, I felt like I moved back three, four years. I couldn’t even run without feeling like I was going to faint,” said the 29-year-old, who was first diagnosed with the condition, whereby the overactive thyroid gland produces excessive hormones, a decade ago.

“I felt so frustrated and said, ‘This is so demoralising, I spent so many years trying to build myself, and now I’m at my fittest and it’s all coming down’, and there was nothing I could do to control it.”

Because of the condition, Yong suffered a drastic dip in her performance – she clocked 1½ minutes per kilometre off her normal timings, even on easy runs, while executing lunges with just her body weight left her shaking.

Thoughts of giving up her fitness regimen crossed her mind, but with Hyrox Hong Kong and Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon looming, she pushed on despite the hardship.

Although she was eventually given the green light by her doctor to take part in the two events, she was advised to listen to her body and be especially cautious during cardio.

Taking to social media to document her journey, Yong not only managed to compete in the events, but also found a renewed purpose through the experience.

It inspired her to launch the Valkyrie Race, an all-women fitness competition designed to test endurance, strength and mental resilience through a series of structured challenges.

She said: “I thought, instead of being depressed about it, I wanted to turn it into something empowering. That’s why Valkyrie’s slogan is The Warrior Within.

“It’s not about being strong, it’s about choosing to be strong when you’re at your lowest. The goal isn’t to churn out world champions – though that’s amazing – but to help people take that first step.

“I wanted a platform for women so that when they see another woman, maybe a mum, maybe someone recovering from something, someone taking that first step, I want others to look at her and think, ‘If she can do it, I can too’.”

The inaugural edition of the event will take place on May 10 and 11 at the OCBC Square. It will feature two divisions: Valour and Storm.

The course in the Valour division consists of six runs and five zones. Participants must complete an 800m run before each zone: air bike (40kcals) and 10m balance beam (with 15kg weight plate); row (500m) and ball toss (8kg); stationary bike (1km) and dumbbell lunges (60m, 10kg on each side); ski (500m) and dead-ball carry (25kg); and lateral burpees (30 repetitions) and torque tank push (100kg).

The Storm division will also have five zones, but does not have a running segment.

Yong, who also runs a marketing agency, noted that the structure of the race has drawn comparisons to other events, but said the goal of the Valkyrie Race is to go beyond just being a fitness competition.

She said: “A lot of people think because of how we created the race that we’re a mini version of this race or that race, but people don’t see the extended picture, which is the community we’re building.”

Yong hopes to raise greater awareness about the movement, through initiatives like community workouts to foster a supportive space for women and encourage more women to begin their own fitness journeys.

She also plans to promote women-owned businesses, host seminars and launch podcasts addressing issues unique to women.

Yong said: “I turned to Instagram and TikTok (during her recovery), and was following people who had different kinds of illnesses, some had it worse than me, mine wasn’t terminal.

“The stories of others inspired me. But at the same time, I thought to myself that I only feel this way because I already went into fitness, what about the people who didn’t? That was the gap I wanted to close.

“I felt like because I didn’t have that physical support system, I was thinking we need something in Singapore, we need that platform because I didn’t want others to be alone.”

A participant, Mavis Tan, who has never taken part in a fitness competition, is looking forward to competing with other women as they push their limits.

She said: “Valkyrie is quite similar to Hyrox, and with all the Hyrox hype right now, it can feel a bit intimidating for some. But I feel like Valkyrie’s stations are more manageable, and the race creates a safe space for women to try something new.

“It’s a great way for us to step into this kind of challenge, have fun, and just enjoy the experience.”

Those interested in the Valkyrie Race can find out more here.