SEA Games: Team Singapore performed well: Chef-de-Mission

Team Singapore's Chef-de-mission Annabel Pennefather said Singapore have performed well at the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games despite sending a smaller contingent that took part in fewer events compared to the previous edition. Team Singapore's Chef-de-mission Annabel Pennefather said Singapore have performed well at the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games despite sending a smaller contingent that took part in fewer events compared to the previous edition.

The Singapore contingent of 309 athletes competed in 25 out of the 30 sports in the 2013 SEA Games and returned home with a total of 108 medals - 34 gold, 29 silver and 45 bronze.
In 2011 at the Indonesia SEA Games, Singapore sent 623 athletes who competed in 34 out of the 48 sports, winning a total of 160 medals in total - 42 gold, 45 silver and 73 bronze.
Swimming, sailing and table tennis which have traditionally been Singapore's strong suit delivered once again.
Singapore amassed 11 gold in swimming to earn the tag of the top swimming nation at the Games with 18-year-old Joseph Schooling contributing five to the golden haul.
Water Polo too did not disappoint with their 25th straight gold in the competition.
The sailors also surpassed their target after getting five gold medals while the paddlers swept all four gold medals on offer in table tennis.
However, Pennefather acknowledged the competition is getting keener.
"We have seen strong challenges from the countries within the region even in swimming and water polo events that we have dominated but I am sure that the relevant NSAs (National Sports Associations) and athletes would be taking this into review, with the view to becoming stronger and much more competitive in 2015," she said.
On the bright side, there were many surprise winners and historic firsts such as Mok Yin Reng winning Singapore's first ever gold medal in marathon. Saiyidah Aisyah and Chan Jing Ru also ended Singapore's gold medal drought in rowing and archery respectively.
A few such as cyclist Dinah Chan and equestrian rider Janine Khoo overcame injuries to savour victory.
In athletics, while the young charges, sprinter Shanti Pereira and hurdler Dipna Lim Prasad may not have won the coveted gold medals, they broke national records and attained personal bests.
"It's a very pleasing outcome, something that we can take away as a positive to build on for future meets and of course especially the 2015 SEA Games," said Pennefather.
More than half of this year's contingent were young debutants and they contributed to about half of the total medal haul.