A gold-winning day for Singapore as taekwondo and ju-jitsu athletes deliver standout performances
Singapore’s athletes delivered a milestone day at the 2025 Bangkok SEA Games, securing historic victories across taekwondo and ju-jitsu. From dramatic judging delays to emotional comebacks and breakthrough golds, Dec 10 became one of the nation’s most memorable sporting days in recent years.
Taekwondo Gold Caps a Dramatic Final
Singapore clinched its first gold of the 2025 SEA Games when Diyanah Aqidah Dian Khudhairi and Nicholas Khaw triumphed in the mixed poomsae pair final. The victory came only after a tense 90-minute review triggered by Vietnam’s protest alleging two major errors. Officials upheld the original score of 8.67 against Vietnam’s 8.44, confirming Singapore’s first taekwondo gold since 2015.
Khaw, 20, said the pair felt immense pride after years of preparation. Diyanah, competing in her fifth Games, shared that trusting each other and maintaining calm focus allowed them to deliver their strongest performance yet. Their choreographed execution earlier secured wins over Laos and the Philippines.
Team manager Wong Zhen Kang praised the ecosystem supporting the athletes, from physios and coaches to families and supporters who helped sustain morale throughout the competition.
Strengths That Complement on the Mat
Their chemistry stems from complementary styles. Khaw’s movements are louder and more explosive, while Diyanah delivers cleaner, rhythmic poomsae. Head coach Lee Na-lee emphasized that combining these strengths was central to crafting a winning routine, especially after learning new techniques during a training camp in South Korea.
Vietnam’s delegation maintained disappointment after the ruling, but the Singapore duo’s consistency across rounds made their victory hard to contest.
More Medals for Singapore Taekwondo
The medal momentum continued. Nicole Alethea Khaw, Nicholas’ older sister, won silver in the women’s freestyle poomsae with 7.18 points, marking an emotional comeback after serious knee injuries delayed her SEA Games debut for years.
In the men’s freestyle event, Darren Yap earned a joint bronze with 7.66 points. Yap described the result as personal redemption after missing out on a medal in 2023. Singapore’s taekwondo teams also picked up bronzes in the men’s and women’s badminton team events on the same day.
Ju-Jitsu Delivers Another Stunning Gold
On another mat, 18-year-old Jedd Tan delivered Singapore’s second gold of the day in the men’s fighting 77kg ju-jitsu event. Battling weight cuts of over 10kg in a month and intense self-doubt, Tan overcame Thailand’s Chanwit Aunjai 16-9 in a gripping final.
His victory—Singapore’s first gold in the fighting system since its introduction at the SEA Games—sparked roaring cheers of “Singapura” across the venue. High performance manager Fadhli Asad called the win historic for the national ju-jitsu program.
A Milestone Day for Team Singapore
By the end of Dec 10, Singapore had secured multiple medals and renewed confidence across disciplines. The taekwondo contingent, which ended the 2023 Games with one silver and four bronzes, showed significant improvement, while ju-jitsu displayed new competitive depth.
Singapore’s powerful showing in both taekwondo and ju-jitsu underscores a rising era of athletic excellence for the nation. These victories resonate not only with Singaporeans but also with regional sports communities, highlighting the value of persistence, strategic preparation, and strong support systems. As the Games continue, the momentum from Dec 10 sets a promising stage for more breakthroughs in Southeast Asian sports.
Sources: Channel News Asia (2025) , Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: Singapore SEA Games, Taekwondo Gold, Ju-Jitsu Win, Mixed Poomsae, Sports Triumph
