Valentine’s Day with Team Singapore: Pang Sheng Jun and Yeo Jia Min

Q: How did you two meet?

Pang: We first crossed paths at the 2015 SEA Games send-off ceremony at the Singapore Sports School.

Years later, during the circuit breaker in 2020, we reconnected again when she was tagged in one of my Instagram live workout videos, and there were times we worked out together.

I had no idea it was one of the rare times in her career when she had the most free time. Everything aligned perfectly, and I thank God for bringing both of us together.

Q: When did you know he/she was the one?

Yeo: When we both seek God to grow in faith and to love.

Pang: Our conversations always felt special, and I always felt a feeling of peace and happiness in me.

We had many long hours of heart-to-heart conversations that flew by, and over time I grew to know that she is the one for me. 

Q: What is the most romantic thing he/she has done for you?

Yeo: He’s done many things that have been really sweet like buying flowers and making cards. I feel the most romantic thing is when he takes time to express his appreciation or gratitude.

Pang: I love the surprises she plans for me for special occasions, and it’s the little things within those moments that mean the most – like the way she hugs me when I need it most. These moments make my heart feel the warmest.

Q: What will you be doing this Valentine’s Day?

Pang: She will be overseas again this year and I usually try to buy her flowers to let her know that she’s always in my heart.

Q: What are the advantages of dating an athlete?

Yeo: It’s in our nature as athletes that we need to self-reflect more which helps us grow to be better partners for each other.

Pang: In a way, she keeps my competitive side alive. Even though my swimming days are behind me, watching her grow, push her limits and chase her dreams makes me feel like I’m in the game too, just in a different role.

I’m so happy to see her improve every day, and I hope she feels just as supported knowing that I’m right here with her, every step of the way.

Q: What are the disadvantages/downsides?

Yeo: There’s things we sacrifice because I’m a professional athlete and I really appreciate how he understands and supports my goals as if they are his.

Pang: I knew that being with her meant limited time together because of her Badminton World Tour commitments, and I understand that.

In a year, I’d be happy if we get a total of six months together. For the other six months, she’ll be chasing her dreams, travelling the world and flying our flag high.

While I cheer her on from afar, every moment we share becomes even more precious, and I’m so grateful we make the most of the time we have together.

Q: Whose sport is more difficult?

Yeo: I would say swimming is harder, competing with Europeans with our Asian body type.

Pang: Both sports are difficult in their own ways, and I am not in the position to speak about the physical demands of badminton.

Swimming requires significant lactic acid tolerance during races and demands pushing through very intense pain barriers, an aspect of the sport that I don’t miss.

Jia Min squats heavier than me even during my peak swimming days, and that speaks a lot about the demands of badminton.

Q:  What is the one piece of advice you got from each other that was important for you in sport?

Yeo: He seldom interferes with advice for my sport, we will just be there for each other.

Pang: It was not really verbal advice, but I swam my best time in swimming after four years post-circuit breaker.

It was also the time I got together with Jia Min, and I was in the happiest headspace I’d ever been.

It translated to how I swam in the pool as well. I was able to enjoy the process and swim happy. I guess love wins all.