Maximilian Maeder welcomed with homecoming feast by proud grandparents
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Olympic bronze medallist and kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder with his grandmother Tan Ah Moy, 80, and grandfather Teng Lay An, 83, at Changi Airport Terminal 3, on Aug 13.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
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SINGAPORE – A feast fit for a king awaited Maximilian Maeder on Aug 13 when he headed over to his doting grandparents’ home after returning to Singapore with an Olympic bronze medal from the Paris Olympics.
Grandfather Teng Lay An, 83, and grandmother Tan Ah Moy, 80, who shared a warm embrace with their jubilant grandson after he emerged at Changi Airport Terminal 3’s arrival hall at 6.26am,
Mr Teng promised to “order whatever Max wants”, such as his personal favourites char kway teow and chicken rice, while Madam Tan said she would whip up some of Maximilian’s most cherished homecooked meals including curry chicken, potato with minced meat and char siew.
Shortly after returning home to a warm reception, the two-time kitefoiling world champion said the first thing he would do was “shower” and added: “But I want to see my family, eat some food that my popo (grandmother in Chinese) cooks and anything on the table I’ll probably devour”.
Maximilian, whose father Valentin is Swiss and mother Teng Hwee Keng is Singaporean, spent his childhood in three places: Switzerland, the Indonesian island of Sulawesi where his parents built a dive resort, and Singapore where he was born.
Like many Singaporeans, the Olympian loves local food, with curry puffs being one of his favourite snacks.
The homeschooled teenager revealed that in 2020, he learnt how to make the pastry from his mum so he could still enjoy it while overseas. He can devour 10 to 12 curry puffs over two days and is very particular about how they are made – overstuffed with a spicy filling of curry and soft potatoes, and preferably homemade.
After months of intense preparation for the Olympics which involved training camps in Croatia and culminating in a historic bronze medal at the Marseille Marina, no one can begrudge the teenager tucking into his favourite delicacies back home.
His grandparents, who watched his races on TV, beamed with pride as they praised their multiple title-winning grandson, who bagged the Republic’s first Olympic medal in sailing.
Madam Tan said in Mandarin: “We are so heartened to have a grandson like him. His performance was spectacular and out of the ordinary. He was outstanding in our eyes.”
Mr Teng was visibly emotional as he said: “Max has united Singaporeans. Look at the people who came to the airport. This is why I am so proud of him. And he is only 17 but when he speaks, he shows how mature he is.
“To me, whatever the medal – bronze, silver or gold – does not matter. But the way he has shown his character and maturity to Singaporeans and the international audience, I am a very proud grandfather.”
