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Top sailor Cheng still mulling over third Olympic campaign

SINGAPORE - Singapore sailing may be making an ambitious push for a first-ever medal in the sport at the 2020 or 2024 Olympic Games, but the Singapore Sailing Federation (SSF) could lose one of its best and most experienced sailors ahead of the Tokyo Games in three years' time.

Two-time Olympian Colin Cheng (centre) who has proven himself to be one of Asia's best sailors, has not decided whether he wants to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Low Lin Fhoong/TODAY

Two-time Olympian Colin Cheng (centre) who has proven himself to be one of Asia's best sailors, has not decided whether he wants to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Low Lin Fhoong/TODAY

SINGAPORE - Singapore sailing may be making an ambitious push for a first-ever medal in the sport at the 2020 or 2024 Olympic Games, but the Singapore Sailing Federation (SSF) could lose one of its best and most experienced sailors ahead of the Tokyo Games in three years' time.

Veteran laser standard sailor Colin Cheng, who was the Republic's top performer at the last two Olympic Games in London and Rio de Janeiro, said on Friday (March 24) that he has not decided if he will commit to a third campaign at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

When asked about his future plans, Cheng said on the sidelines of the SSF Annual Awards Gala Dinner at One15Marina: "That's a difficult question...I'm in a transitional phase of life and I'm still deciding what to do.

"I don't have a good answer for that (sailing at the 2020 Olympics). I haven't committed 100 per cent one way or the other. I'm trying different things, looking at an academic or scientific career and I'm very busy at the moment."

At the London Olympic Games, Cheng blazed a trail for Singapore as he posted its best-ever showing at the quadrennial event after placing 15th - the top Asian among the field.

While he started off his campaign in Brazil on a strong note, Rio's challenging conditions saw the sailor finishing 20th out of the 46-strong fleet. His finish was the second-best among the Asians in the group, and the best among South-east Asia.

Cheng, who had put his studies in nanotechnology at the University of New South Wales on hold to train full-time for Rio, would not commit to the Asian Games in 2018, either.

He added: "For me personally, the goal is always the Olympics. No disrespect to the sailing awards and hype around all these achievements, but the fact is the best result in the Asian class is 13th (at the Olympics) speaks a lot.

"Joseph Schooling has shown that it is possible. For sailing, we need to aim for the Olympics. The entire sports fraternity has to look beyond the SEA Games and think further."

Cheng, who was named the Sailor of the Year at Friday's Gala Dinner, stressed that he is still sailing, and he is also currently working with up-and-coming young SEA Games sailor Ryan Lo.

While SSF president Benedict Tan admitted that it is a huge commitment for sailors to commit up to 12 years - three Olympic cycles - in order to do well in the Olympics, the sailing chief is optimistic that they can achieve success in 2020 or 2024.

"In 2016, we saw 10 Singaporean sailors competing at the Rio Olympics in seven out of 10 events - this is the largest Olympic sailing team to date," he said.

"This is a significant milestone because we believe that before we can win an Olympic medal in a meaningful way, we must first build a strong and sustainable base.

"For 2020, the good thing is that it's in Asia. 2024 (is the realistic goal for a medal), but I won't say we won't try to in 2020."

The SSF's annual awards gala dinner also saw seven awards handed out to recognise the achievements and contributions of their sailors, clubs coaches, officials and volunteers.

Singapore Sailing also welcomed three new members to its family, with the Kitesurfing Association of Singapore, Aloha Sailing Club, and the Singapore Disability Sports Council joining the federation.

 

Award winners:

Sailor of the Year (Kelly Chan Award) - Colin Cheng

Team of the Year - ASAF Keelboat Cup team (above) of Xu Yuanzhen, Stanley Chan, Joe Chan, Colin Ng, Derek Keith Chan 

Rookie of the Year - Darrell Lim (above, centre)

Volunteer of the Year - Tay Wei Jie

Official of the Year - Charlene Zhu

Club Coach of the Year - Melvin Huang

Club/Marina of the Year - One15Marina

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