Singapore sailors clinch two silver medals at Asian Games

GAMAGORI – Less than a month ago, national sailor Jania Ang did not know if she would be able to compete at the 2026 Asian Games.

While cycling to the Royal St George Yacht Club and National Yacht Club on the first day of the ILCA 6 Women’s World Championship in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, she glanced towards the sea to check the wind conditions and failed to notice a set of steps ahead of her. 

The next moment, she rode into the steps, fell off her bike and hit her head. 

A passer-by helped her up and accompanied her to get first aid treatment at the competition venue, before she was taken to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with a mild concussion and torn tendons and ligaments in her right wrist.

The 22-year-old then withdrew from the world championship as she prioritised making a full recovery ahead of the Asian Games.

Her first time back on the water was at the Kaiyoh Yacht Harbour in Gamagori, where she marked her Asiad debut with a silver medal in the ILCA 6 on Oct 2.

Ang said: “I felt pretty close to 100% and I didn’t need to spend extra mind space to think about how I’m going to manage all my injuries and that was really a blessing because three, four weeks ago, I wasn’t sure if I would be standing on the start line and to come out with a silver, I’m really grateful for it.”

Sitting fourth after nine races in the qualification series, the Nanyang Technological University undergraduate placed third and second in the two final series races, finishing the regatta with 13 points and securing a podium spot.

Thailand’s Sophia Montgomery claimed victory with five points, earning her country a quota spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in the process, while India’s Nethra Kumanan (14) finished third.

Ang’s performance in Japan offers some encouraging signs as she embarks on a qualification campaign for the 2028 Games.

“As a whole, the regatta has shown me I definitely have the calibre to be up there and what I’ll be focusing on from here on is how to put things together,” she said.

“Sophia from Thailand really sailed a good week and hats off to her. For me I always knew I had the potential to be out there, so it’s more of the grinding, getting more experience, just trying to keep making good decisions one at a time.”

The reigning SEA Games champion’s journey in the sport has not always been smooth sailing.

She picked up the sport when she was seven and decided to take a break seven years later because she felt disillusioned by it.

After two to three years away from sailing, she began contemplating a return and realised she had unfinished business.

When she started sailing again, her perspective had shifted.

She said: “I don’t think the reasons why I train or compete are to leave a legacy or anything, but it’s a lot about the people that I come into contact with, how I can show them love or kindness.

“In an athlete’s world, it’s very easy to become shaped by results and performance and that’s really something I stand against – definitely for myself but also with other people that I meet.”

Singapore’s Sean Kum and Nigel Tan also stood on the podium on Oct 2, as they claimed the boys’ 29er silver after finishing second and third twice in the four races contested on the final day of the event.

They wrapped up the regatta with 35 points over 12 races, 24 points behind Hong Kong’s gold medallists Ethan Kiu and Louis Polson.

Malaysia’s Muhammad Adam Aierell and Iqbal Nazham Musmuliadi took bronze with 39 points.

This is Singapore’s first medal in the boys’ 29er at the Asian Games.

Sisters Priscilla and Cecilia Low had previously clinched the girls’ 29er silver at the 2014 Incheon Games.

It was an impressive turnaround for the Sean and Nigel, who began training together in December 2025, especially since they were ranked last in the fleet of six after the first day of the event.

Crediting their coach Priscilla, 16-year-old Nigel said: “When we were new to the boat, we didn’t know how to manoeuvre it or sail fast so we’re really thankful for her support.

“Especially during this event, I felt like I was quite stressed especially the first few days, we didn’t want to let our families and supporters down so she really helped us calm down and focus on what’s within our control and not worry too much about what could go wrong.”

Although they entered the Asian Games aiming for a medal, claiming silver was a surprise for the pair.

Sean, 15, said: “Today was a really hard day – we were so tired and so was everyone, but we managed to push to our limits and we’re just happy.”

Meanwhile, Singapore’s 2023 Asian Games ILCA 7 champion Ryan Lo missed a podium spot, placing fifth overall after finishing sixth and seventh in the final series races on Oct 2.

The two-time Olympian wrapped up his campaign with 25 points, while South Korea’s Ha Jee-min claimed his fourth Asiad title with nine points.

Hong Kong’s Nicholas Halliday was second with 11 points, while Malaysia’s Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy (14) clinched the bronze medal.

Lo, 29, said: “Not getting a medal is disappointing in itself but putting the results aside, I didn’t really sail the way I would’ve liked to. I had a clear strategy and way to execute the race, but I just couldn’t seal the deal.

“I couldn’t really get hold of the win in this event, not to give excuses or anything, but the best sailors are able to deal with these situations even when things aren’t going their way – they are able to bounce back and wait for the opportunity to capitalise at the right time.”