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Republic Canoeing IG took part in the Singapore International Water Festival
2010 (Canoe Race) on 27th April 2010. Held at the ever windy Marina Barrage with strong currents, the team
gave their best shot and brought home 2 silver and 1 bronze medals.
Setting their sights on their common goal, the team battled to their fullest
potential despite having strong competitors from Singapore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Coach always stresses
that we only have one shot to make it right. Hence we were all determined to
make a mark for our race, for there is only one set for us to give our best.
Men C1 500m, Jonah Thai and Ng Chong Soon went down to the battle against the stronghold of C boaters. Jonah Thai, who was away from the trainings due to attachment, never showed any signs of giving up while pitting against the strong currents. Even though he did not manage to complete the race, his courage and attitude towards the race reflected
good sportsmanship.
Ng Chong Soon, despite all odds being against him, vindicated himself with a Bronze medal.
To be a C-boater is not to be under-estimated. We are all proud of our C-boaters. Training has always been tougher for them, to be kneeling on the boat for so long. But they emerged to be strong and courageous canoeists.
For the Men’s K2 500m category, 3 pairs of K2 crew were being sent down and
of which 2 pairs were newly formed crew. The K2 pair’s knights were Yusri Mahfuz and Jonathon Choo, Jonathon Ang and Eric Lo, Poh Chee Kiat and Winson Tan. With just a few practice
sessions on the boat together before the competition, both K2 pairs, Yusri Mahfuz and Jonathon Choo, Eric Lo and Jonathan Ang maintained their composure and earned themselves a 3rd and 5th position respectively in their Men’s K2 500m Race 1 (Overall 6th and 9th position respectively, for that category).
Winson Tan and Poh Chee Kiat’s crew fought hard and obtained a 3rd position in Men’s K2 500m Race 2, and an overall of 5th position in the entire category.
Battling hard against the heavy current at Marina Barrage, Chong Kai Ming Nicholas and Yusri Mahfuz conquered
it all by finishing their races at 5th and 7th position in the overall Men K1 500m category.
As for the Women K1, Lynn Yip Qiao was all set to eliminate her competitors
and came in 3rd in her Women K1 500m Race 2, obtaining an overall position of 5th position for that category. Wong Zi Jian, despite marking the Women 500m her first K1 event since joining the squad, she went all out in the waters and her performance was
worth complimenting.
Catherine Teo En We, a year 3 paddler, despite being off campus for attachment and had to be excused from training, her remarkable confidence and determination earned herself a silver medal in the Women K1 500m category.
Scorching through the rest of the competition are the 3 Women K2 pairs who took part in the 500m events - Clarice Chew Ya Ting and Chong Ee Wern, Kelroy Wee Yu Ting and Gau Sheau Jun, and last but not least, Jasmine Tan and Lim Zi Xin. Kelroy Wee’s crew boat and Clarice Chew’s came in 4th and 5th respectively, in the Women K2 500m category. Bravo to their might!
Notwithstanding the extremely intense racing atmosphere, Team RP K2 Women showed that there was nothing to fear and did the school proud, clinching an impressive Silver Medal.
Great effort for Jasmine Tan and Lim Zi Xin!
Every paddler emerged with pride as they crossed the finish line. Armed with this experience, Republic Polytechnic Canoeists will push themselves harder and toughen
themselves for their coming competitions.
The team has taken the race by storm and will progress to the next stage of bringing glory to Team Republic!
‘Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.’ – Henry Ford
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