SEA Games: Singapore rowers win historic silver

SINGAPORE — Singapore won their first ever men’s rowing silver medal at the SEA Games today (June 14) after finishing second in the men’s lightweight four (1000m) final at the Marina Channel.

The team of Syahir Ezekiel Rafal’ee, Pek Hong Kiat, Lee Zong Han and Nadzrie Hyckell Hamzah did not have the best of starts but recovered to clinch the silver in a time of 3 minutes 05.25 seconds.

They finished 2.97secs behind gold medallists Indonesia (3:02.28), while Vietnam (3:06.60) settled for bronze.

This is the Republic’s first men’s rowing medal at the multi-sport event since 1997, when Raihan Omar secured bronze in the men’s single sculls.

Singapore’s Saiyidah Aisyah clinched her second bronze medal at this year’s Games after finishing third in the women’s lightweight single sculls (1,000m). Thailand’s Phuttharaksa Neegree (3:55.27) and Maryam Daimoi won the gold and silver medals respectively.

There was another medal for Singapore as both Joanna Chan and Joan Poh won the bronze in the women’s pair (1,000m) event in a time of 3:48.18. Vietnam (3:41.72) took home the gold, while the silver went to Indonesia (3:41.79).

Singapore’s final rowing medal tally at the 28th SEA Games stands at one silver and three bronze.