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Indoor skydivers representing Singapore — including two 12-year-olds — at 4th FAI World Cup have gold in their sights

SINGAPORE — When 14-year-old Isabelle Koh found out last November that she needed an eight-hour operation as her scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves sideways, had worsened, she had only one concern.

From left: Isabelle Koh, Vera Poh, Kyra Poh, Kai Minejima Lee and Jordan Lee at iFly Singapore on March 21, 2022.

From left: Isabelle Koh, Vera Poh, Kyra Poh, Kai Minejima Lee and Jordan Lee at iFly Singapore on March 21, 2022.

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  • When Isabelle Koh found out she had to undergo an operation on her spine, the indoor skydiver was only concerned about her sport
  • She is one of five Singaporean youths representing the country in the 4th FAI World Cup of Indoor Skydiving
  • They will be up against 400 athletes from around the world
  • The quintet are confident in their abilities, and hope to fly the Singapore flag high

SINGAPORE — When 14-year-old Isabelle Koh found out last November that she needed an eight-hour operation as her scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves sideways, had worsened, she had only one concern.

"I didn't want it to affect my flexibility so I can still practise sports," she said.

Isabelle is an indoor skydiver, and is one of five youths who will be representing Singapore in the upcoming 4th FAI World Cup of Indoor Skydiving.

Hoping to fly the country’s flag high alongside her are Kyra Poh, 20, Jordan Lee, 18, and 12-year-olds Kai Minejima Lee and Vera Poh.

The competition, organised by the World Air Sports Federation, will be held from April 5 to 10 and is the largest international competition for indoor skydiving with over 400 competitors.

Having found out about her condition through a regular health checkup in school when she was in Primary 3, Isabelle said the operation had been constantly looming over her.

"Every time I visited the doctor, I would get a bit more anxious that this would be the time he asks me to undergo the operation," she said.

When her doctor suggested the operation, her spine had reached a 65-degree angle bend — which is considered to be severe. When a spine bends past 70 degrees, it may affect a person's lung volume.

"It took me two months before I could enter the wind tunnel again... I was worried that I would not be able to fly well as I had to lie down a lot to recover. I couldn't sit up because my back hurt," said Isabelle.

However, with the support of her team members and parents, she was slowly able to get back on her feet and will be flying in her first World Cup competition.

Of the quintet, only Kyra has participated in the FAI World Cup previously, winning the freestyle junior category in 2016, and clinching silver in the freestyle open category and gold in the two-way dynamic open category in 2018. 

The four World Cup debutants will be participating in the four-way dynamic junior category, where they will be tasked to complete a fixed routine in the wind tunnels in a rush against the clock.

Kai and Vera will also be competing in the two-way dynamic junior, judged based on their time and freestyle performances. 

Performing solo in the freestyle junior and open categories respectively, Kai and Kyra will be assessed based on their performance by a panel of judges.

 

A CONTINUOUS FREE FALL

 

For Isabelle, the operation has made her "a bit slower" but there was no way she was going to miss the World Cup.

As a toddler, heading to the wind tunnels at iFly Singapore was routine for Isabelle as her mother was an avid indoor skydiving enthusiast. Watching her mom spin and fly in the wind tunnel was “amazing”, she said.

“When I finally turned seven, she allowed me to fly for the first time. I loved it so much, I decided to take it up as a sport.”

At iFly Singapore — the only indoor skydiving location in Singapore — only people aged seven years and older can fly in the wind tunnels.

For Kai, the wait to enter the wind tunnel started in 2013 when he accompanied his father to iFly Singapore's anniversary event. 

“My parents worked with Kyra and Vera’s parents so my (seventh) birthday surprise was flying with Krya for the first time," he said, adding that the world champion is his role model.

"Imagine the thrill of riding a roller coaster but without being strapped on. That's what flying to me is... It's a freeing experience."

Comparing it to skydiving, Jordan said that indoor skydiving does not have as many limits as well.

"You don't have the parachute strapped to you... In the wind tunnel, it's a continuous free fall."

GOLD IN THEIR SIGHTS

Vera admits that one of their goals is to win the competition.

Inspired by her sister Kyra, Vera has been indoor skydiving since she was seven, having competed in her first international competition in 2017.

"When I go to competitions, people would see me (as) the child of the competition. One of my goals is to also show people how we've improved... and matured as skydivers," said Vera.

To get ready for the World Cup, the team practises at least four times a week while juggling their studies — so much so that they describe iFly Singapore as their "second home".

With such a packed schedule, the team credits their parents for supporting them through.

"When we fly, they set up their iPads and computers to record, take note of our performance and write everything down to help us to improve," said Kai.

"We call them the 'Tunnel Parents' because they're always here with us at our training, supporting us," said Kyra.

For the four taking part in their maiden World Cup, she is their role model.

"I've been telling them that we have to represent Singapore well and be good sportsmen," said Kyra.

"The kids have their own journeys to become world champions one day, but it's important they are also good people in the sport."

Related topics

Singapore sports indoor skydiving FAI World Cup

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