Memorable victories for Nanyang Girls’ trio at schools’ wushu meet

SINGAPORE – Winning medals in wushu events is not out of the ordinary for Zhuo Kaiqian, Lyvia Phua and Heidi Kong, all 16, of Nanyang Girls’ High School. 

The trio, who have been practising the Chinese martial art for a decade, combined for over 10 medals across individual and group events in the 2023 National School Games wushu championships. 

But the two victories in the competition’s final day on Friday – the group events for the B Division girls’ quanshu and weapon categories – were extra sweet for them. 

Nanyang captain Kaiqian explained: “They were my first ever group events and I feel very fulfilled. Everyone has different skill levels in group events and we have to accommodate and help each other out. 

“It’s our first time competing in a team event and also our last year representing Nanyang, so we want to leave without any regrets.”

Vice-captain Lyvia said the team had been training hard. She said: “We wanted to do our best to see our hard work pay off.

“Every year we train in hopes of there being a team event, but it’s always been cancelled because of Covid-19.”

For the B Division girls’ category, Nanyang scored 8.90 for the group quanshu event, beating Dunman High School’s 8.71. They finished 0.12 points ahead of Chung Cheng High School (Yishun) with 8.85 for the group weapon event. 

Nanyang were also overall champions for both B and C girls.

In the B Division, they won comfortably with a total of 169 points, more than double runner-up Anglican High School’s 82. In the C Division, they racked up 150 points, nearly double that of second-placed River Valley High School (76).

Heidi said: “After all the difficulties we have overcome, the fact that we’ve gotten what we wanted is a huge relief. “

Before a crowd of about 400 cheering supporters at the OCBC Arena, the trio were among students who showcased synchronised routines dressed in striking costumes.

Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) and Nanyang dominated the events on Friday, placing first in 11 out of the 12 events. Anderson Secondary School won the group weapon event for the C Division boys’ category. 

HCI teacher and wushu coach He Changjiang said he was extremely pleased with his students’ performances. He, 40, said: “In terms of coordination and execution, they performed at a level up to standard.

“Now, they should be working on their stamina, as training consistency was affected by the pandemic and students falling sick.

“There are students who were injured in the past week, but they have a never-say-die attitude and still executed the routine today after rehabilitating.”

During the first international changquan individual event last Tuesday, HCI student Lucas Teo twisted his ankle after landing badly. After visiting several doctors, he managed to get back on the floor on Friday for the C Division boys’ quanshu and group weapon events, winning the gold for the former. 

On performing through discomfort, Lucas, 13, said: “I just wanted to compete because I want to help my team achieve the best result possible.

“I like the adrenaline during competitions and I find wushu very fulfilling and fun.”

His team fell short of clinching the championship, coming in fourth overall with 76 points as Catholic High won the C Division title with 107 points. But HCI were overall champions in the B Division boys’ category.

HCI also won all four events in the A Division on the final day. 

A Division boys’ team captain Matthew Lee, 17, said he was proud of the team’s achievements and their high morale despite all members being exhausted from training and competition. 

He added: “This is our first year back from Covid-19 and I’m very proud of what everyone has achieved. When I found out we were first for both group events, I got emotional because I’m very happy to see how all the effort we’ve put in is bearing fruit.”