International Women's Day: Stars In Singapore Sports

International Women’s Day 2025 is here, and what better way to celebrate than by shining a well-deserved spotlight on Singapore’s incredible female athletes? From dominating the waters to checkmating their way to victory, these women are proving that Singapore punches well above its weight in the sporting world.

Whether you cheered for them at the Paris 2024 Olympics or are just discovering them now, here’s a diverse lineup of five inspiring Team Singapore sportswomen you should know.

Veronica Shanti Pereira, 28, Athletics

Bio: Singapore’s sprint queen needs no introduction. Shanti Pereira has been redefining what’s possible for Singaporean athletics, blazing down the track with speed that makes us wonder if she’s secretly part cheetah.

Biggest achievement: Shanti is on record as the fastest Southeast Asian woman ever in 100m and 200m events. She also won Singapore first ever athletics medal in the Asian Games since 1974, while holding the national record for the 400m event with a timing of 53.67s.

Why you should support her: Watching Shanti run is like watching a national superhero in action. She’s rewriting Singapore’s track and field history and inspiring young athletes to lace up their running shoes and chase their dreams.

Yip Pin Xiu, 32, Para Swimming

Bio: If there’s one name that’s synonymous with Singapore’s para sports scene, it’s Yip Pin Xiu. Born with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, she has defied all odds to become one of Singapore’s most decorated Paralympians. Her dominance in the pool has made her an inspiration not just for aspiring athletes but for every Singaporean who has ever dared to dream big.

Biggest achievement: Yip is a trailblazer, winning the country’s first Paralympic gold medal all the way back at the 2008 Beijing Games, at the tender age of 16. She’s also been named Sportswoman of the Year at the Singapore Disability Sports Awards a record three times.

Why you should support her: Because she’s a national treasure! Singapore’s Golden Mermaid (no offense to Ariel) continues to make waves globally, proving she’s not slowing down anytime soon. Beyond her record-breaking feats, Yip is also a vocal advocate for inclusivity in sports, proving that talent and perseverance know no bounds.

Saiyidah Aisyah, 36, Rowing

Bio: Saiyidah Aisyah has been making waves (literally) in a sport that rarely gets the limelight here. She started rowing as a teenager and never looked back, proving that perseverance is the key to greatness.

Biggest achievement: Saiyidah made history as Singapore first rower to qualify for the Olympic Games, back in Rio 2016. But what’s even more impressive was when she made her comeback at the age of 36, competing at Paris 2024 as one of the oldest competitors in her field.

Why you should support her: She’s a pioneer in her field, showing young Singaporeans that success isn’t just about traditional sports. Her road to Rio in 2016 was by no means easy, as she had to drain her savings and took to crowdfunding to raise money for her training and living expenses to fund her Olympic dream, which makes her achievement event more inspirational. Competing into her 30s is a testament to her grit, as she continues to break barriers in a sport that demands insane endurance (and let’s be real, arm strength that puts gym bros to shame).

Gong Qianyun, 39, Chess

Bio: Meet Singapore’s very own Chess Grandmaster, Gong Qianyun. Originally from China, she became a Singaporean citizen and has been flying the flag high in international chess tournaments. Her ability to think multiple moves ahead (while most of us struggle to plan tomorrow’s lunch) is what makes her such a formidable opponent.

Biggest Achievement: A two-time Southeast Asian Games medalist and a dominant force in the global chess scene, she continues to put Singapore on the world chess map.

Why You Should Support Her: Chess isn’t just about moving pieces—it’s a mental battlefield, and Gong is one of Singapore’s strongest strategists. Whether you’re a casual player or someone who only knows how the horsey piece moves (it’s called a knight, by the way), you can’t help but admire her brilliance. As a female Grandmaster, her legacy and impact on the chess community will continue to inspire the next generation of chess enthusiasts.

Nur Syahidah Binte Alim, 39, Para Archery

Bio: Singapore’s first-ever world champion in para archery, Nur Syahidah is as cool as they come. While the rest of us struggle to shoot straight in an arcade game, she’s busy hitting bullseyes on the international stage.

Biggest Achievement: Syahidah is the first Singaporean female archer to qualify for the Paralympic Games and is the country’s first world champion in the sport. A real-life Hawkeye! She represented Singapore at the Paris 2024 Paralympics and made us all proud with her stellar performance, proving why she remains among the world’s best para archers.

Why You Should Support Her: Precision, patience, and pure determination—qualities we all wish we had when waiting for the MRT during rush hour. Syahidah’s dedication to her craft is nothing short of inspiring, and she’s helping to put Singapore on the global archery map while paving the way for other Paralympians to succeed.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s give a standing ovation to these powerhouse athletes who continue to inspire us with their talent, resilience, and dedication. Whether they’re swimming, sprinting, shooting arrows, or dominating the e-sports arena, these women are proving that Singapore’s sporting future is brighter than ever.

So, next time you see a Team Singapore athlete in action, remember to cheer a little louder — you never know, they just might be our next world champion!

For the latest updates on Wonderwall.sg, be sure to follow us on TikTok, Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook. If you have a story idea for us, email us at [email protected].