Powerlifting duo return to Singapore after being stranded in Belarus due to visa mix-up

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Powerlifting brothers Matthew and Marcus Yap finally touchdown in Singapore after being stranded in Belarus for 30 hours. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

SINGAPORE - After being stranded in Belarus for 30 hours due to a visa mix-up, powerlifting brothers Matthew and Marcus Yap have finally arrived back home on Saturday afternoon.

They were greeted by their mother along with other relatives, friends and vice-president of Powerlifting Singapore, Tan Say Yong.

The brothers were in Belarus to participate in the World Classic Powerlifting Championships, and Matthew set a new world squat record of 208kg in the men's Under-66kg sub-junior division (14- to 18-year-olds) on June 18. Marcus, 23, went to the world event as a coach.

Matthew, 18, said: "It's a huge relief I have to say, after being stranded and all of that (the visa mix-up).

"We definitely feel very relieved to step in Singapore soil again."

A crowdfunding effort was set up to bring the boys home after their mix-up, and the amount gathered was $2,685 through crowdfunding website Give.asia.

Marcus said: "We are really lost for words, it's something we would not have imagined and from the bottom of our hearts we are really (thankful)."

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