Contributed by Bryan James Kwa. Photos by Andy Goh.
Singapore’s medal winners with their team managers. (From Left to Right) Front Row: Quek Ziyi, Rebecca Chew, Felicia Ong Back Row: Jireh Goh, Shirley Tay, Eddie Chua, Ernest Wong (Photo 1 © Andy Goh)
Shanghai, China, August 21-24, 2009 – Singapore recently sent its team of top skaters to Shanghai, China to take part in the annual World Freestyle Skating Championships (WFSC), where they emerged second out of 17 participating countries with a medal tally of 1 gold, 2 silvers and 2 bronzes.
The WFSC (formerly known as the WSC) spanned over a period of four days, encompassing all categories of freestyle skating, including Speed Slalom, Freestyle Classic Slalom, Pair Slalom and Freestyle Slide.
Singapore "sliders" Rebecca Chew, Felicia Ong and Quek Ziyi swept medals and watched their nation's flag rise high, coming in first, second and third respectively in the women's Freestyle Slide category. The men were not far behind, with Jireh Goh and Ernest Wong coming in second and third, narrowly losing out to Russia’s Ryazantsev Kirill.
Daniel Tan, 19, said, “It was a thrilling and unforgettable experience as it was my first time ever, being able to participate in a world class event where top skaters from all over could gather in one country to compete against each other.”
Rebecca Chew, 18, currently ranked number one in the world for freestyle slide, reflected back on the competition. "It was great having to see international skaters again, it was an awesome experience! Not only was the competition good, the friendships we made along the way were great!"
Following the WFSC, the Chuncheon International Leisure Games for freestyle skating was held in Korea where our skaters once again did Singapore proud.
The next local competition will be held on September 19, 2009, at Velocity Shopping Centre. The event hosts categories such as the Freestyle Battle, Jam (Pair) Slalom and a new category entitled "Single-Trick", where competitors will face each other head on by executing their highest technical tricks.
WSFC Results (World Ranking - Team Singapore):
Overall:
1. China (7 gold, 7 silver, 7 bronze)
2. Singapore (1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze)
3. France (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)
4. Korea (1 gold, 1 silver)
5. Russia (1 gold, 1 bronze)
Team Singapore’s results:
Speed Slalom - Men:
Goh En Ci Jireh (Rank 13th)
Teo Chang Meng, Ben (Rank 17th)
Cheung, Terence (Rank 22nd)
Speed Slalom - Women:
Kuek ,Ziyi (Rank 9th)
Chew Rui Jun, Rebecca (Rank 11th)
Freestyle Classic Slalom - Men:
Cheung, Terence (Rank 8th)
Ang Bok Sen Shondy (Rank 16th)
Ow Yong Chuan Cher, Carlson (Rank 19th)
Kwa Leung Hong, Bryan James (Rank 22nd)
Teo Chang Meng, Ben (Rank 26th)
Tan Yi Guo, Daniel (Rank 33rd)
Freestyle Classic Slalom - Women:
Yeo Peck Ying, Rachelle (Rank 14th)
Freestyle Pair Slalom
Cheung, Terence / Ow Yong Chuan Cher, Carlson (Rank 4th)
Teo Chang Meng, Ben / Ang Bok Sen Shondy (Rank 7th)
Freestyle Slide - Men:
Goh En Ci, Jireh (2nd)
Wong Jia Wei, Ernest (3rd)
Tan Tee Kuan, Kae (4th)
Tan Zhi Zhong (6th)
Goh En Mu, Rohi (7th)
Chong, Christopher Peter (8th)
Freestyle Slide - Women:
Chew Rui Jun, Rebecca (Rank 1st)
Ong Yu Ting, Felicia (Rank 2nd)
Kuek Ziyi (Rank 3rd)
Three Singapore flags flew high as our female skaters swept all three medals on offer. (Photo 2 © Andy Goh)
=D Yeah we’re hoping to get all the support we can get! Sadly, it’s a very under-recognised and under-publicised sport in Singapore but nevertheless we manage to reap good results on an international standard! THREE thumbs up!
well done to a sport less known in singapore! really proud of the skating team! keep it up!! =D