Historic boccia victories propel Team Singapore past previous gold medal record in Thailand
Against roaring home support and intense pressure, Singapore’s para athletes delivered a defining performance in Korat, proving that preparation, trust, and resilience can outweigh even the loudest crowd.
Gold Under Pressure in Korat
Singapore boccia athletes Aloysius Gan and Nurulasyiqah Mohd Taha clinched gold in the mixed pair BC3 event at the Asean Para Games in Korat, Thailand, on Jan 25, overcoming host nation favorites Withun Chanthakhat and Ladamanee Kla Han 3-1. Competing at Chatchai Hall, the duo maintained composure despite a raucous Thai crowd backing the home pair.
Unbeaten Run Secures Historic Milestone
The victory capped an unbeaten round-robin campaign, following decisive wins over Indonesia (4-1) and Malaysia (7-3) on Jan 24. Indonesia finished second overall after defeating Malaysia 4-2, while Thailand placed third. The gold marked Singapore’s 13th at the Games, surpassing the 12-gold haul recorded at the 2023 Cambodia edition.
A Team Built on Trust and Experience
Nurulasyiqah, 40, credited years of disciplined training for the pair’s success, noting their ability to stay calm under pressure. Gan, 20, highlighted strong communication and mutual support as key factors, calling the final a true team performance. Both athletes compete in the BC3 classification, which allows the use of ramps due to severe physical impairments.
Double Gold Glory for Singapore Duo
Earlier in the competition on Jan 23, both athletes claimed individual BC3 gold medals at the same venue. Gan defeated Thailand’s Withun 3-1 in the men’s final, while Nurulasyiqah secured a commanding 6-1 victory over Indonesia’s Suci Kirana Dewi in the women’s event. For Gan, who has cerebral palsy, it marked his first double-gold achievement at the biennial Games.
Milestones in Long Sporting Journeys
Nurulasyiqah, a two-time Paralympian with spinal muscular atrophy, described surpassing Singapore’s previous gold tally as a bonus rather than an expectation. The achievement adds to her decorated career, which began in 2004 and includes double gold at the 2014 Asean Para Games in Myanmar. She is now targeting qualification for the Asian Para Games in Japan this October.
Strong Overall Showing by Team Singapore
Singapore secured four boccia gold medals in Thailand, with Jovin Tan winning the men’s individual BC1 title on Jan 23. Para bowlers Vincent Loo and Low Chang Hong added a bronze in the mixed doubles TPB9 + TPB9 event on Jan 25. The overall medal tally stands at 13 golds, seven silvers, and nine bronzes, an improvement over the 12-15-17 result in 2023.
Beyond Medals: Building for the Future
Chef de mission Gary Chong praised the team’s unity, discipline, and resilience, highlighting personal bests and breakthrough performances across sports. He cited para swimmer Danielle Moi’s national record of 1min 22.93sec in the women’s 100m backstroke S14 as a key highlight, emphasizing the importance of holistic athlete support systems.
Team Singapore’s performance in Korat reflects more than medal success. It signals steady progress in para-sports development, underpinned by long-term athlete support, mental resilience, and sport science investment. The achievements resonate across the region, reinforcing Singapore’s growing influence in inclusive high-performance sports while inspiring future generations of athletes.
Sources: Straits Times (2026)
Keywords: Singapore Boccia Team, Asean Para Games 2026, Aloysius Gan, Nurulasyiqah Mohd Taha, Team Singapore Medals
