SINGAPORE — Joseph Schooling was crowned Sportsman of the Year for a record fourth time on Tuesday night (Aug 8) at the Singapore Sports Awards 2017, almost a year to the day of his stunning Olympic triumph.

It was the third consecutive time that the 22-year-old swimmer has won the accolade and it was hardly a surprise in light of his extraordinary performance in Rio, where he beat Michael Phelps in the 100m butterfly to win the Republic’s only Olympic gold to date.

Schooling was presented with a trophy and S$10,000 prize cheque at the glitzy awards ceremony, which was held at the Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore. The feat put him ahead of three-time winners Ang Peng Siong (swimming), Benedict Tan (sailing), Chua Koon Siong (weightlifting) and David Lim (swimming).

“This is the first time I’m here in person, which makes it much more special,” said Schooling, who was nominated alongside cuesports player Peter Gilchrist and silat exponent Muhammad Shakir Juanda. “It definitely feels a lot more different than being on Skype (and accepting it previously), the emotions and enjoyment are heightened by being here.”

Schooling will not rest on his laurels either, adding: “I still want to accomplish more in my swimming career, I’m still nowhere close to being done ... I still have more to go and to give — that’s what keeps me getting out of bed every morning.”

The Sportswoman of the Year gong went to bowler New Hui Fen, who became the first Singaporean to win the prestigious Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour Championship last September.

“On a scale of one to 10, maybe 11!” the 25-year-old first-time winner responded when asked how surprised she was. “I was reading about the other nominees and what they won, I thought it was 50-50 … I am just very grateful for this award, my parents have supported me through my ups and downs ... it’s hard to be on a  team where everyone is so talented and competitive, when the chance came I just took it — that’s how 2016 was for me.

“I feel like this will inspire many Singaporeans not to just pick up sport but hopefully to join bowling and realise that it’s a really cool sport.”

A host of other winners were also crowned at the awards ceremony, which was organised by the Singapore National Olympic Council and Sport Singapore to both celebrate Team Singapore’s achievements last year and mark 70 years of the Olympic movement in Singapore.

Lau Ywen became the first fencer to win Sportsgirl of the Year in its 39-year history, thanks to her stunning victory in the women’s sabre cadet category at the Fencing Cadet and Junior World Championships last April. Her triumph in Bourges, France made her Singapore’s first fencing world champion at any level.

“I’m really excited and very happy, I didn’t expect it as the other two girls (who were nominated) were very strong,” the 17-year-old said. “Fencing is an up-and-coming sport in Singapore and I hope more people will see that it’s a sport worth doing.”

Two-time defending World Pencak Silat Championships champion Sheik Farhan Sheik Alau’ddin was named Sportsboy of the Year.

Said the 19-year-old: “This award will motivate me to do better, good for my team and silat, so people can see that if you work hard, you can achieve.”

All award winners were determined by secret ballot.

The theme of the night was “Inspiring Tomorrow”, referring to how the current batch of local athletes stand on the shoulders of their predecessors, while at the same time blaze a trail for the future generation.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who was the guest of honour, congratulated the finalists and awardees, and noted that their achievements and stories will inspire many others in Singapore.

“I am excited for the future of sports in Singapore,” he said. “With the support of the community and the public, I look forward to more sporting achievements, a growing and stronger sports ecosystem and above all, for our athletes to continue to inspire us and contribute to a strong Singapore identity and spirit.”

HONOURS ROLL

Sportsman of the Year: Joseph Isaac Schooling (Swimming)

Sportswoman of the Year: New Hui Fen (Bowling)

Sportsboy of the Year: Sheik Farhan Sheik Alau’ddin (Silat)

Sportsgirl of the Year: Lau Ywen (Fencing)

Coach of the Year: Eddie Reese (Swimming)

Team of the Year (Event): Women’s K2 500m canoeists Stephenie Chen Jiexian and Geraldine Lee Wei Ling

Best Sports Event of the Year (Local): Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2016

Best Sports Event of the Year (International): HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens 2016

Most Inspiring Sports Story of the Year: “No Big Deal? Such Sporting Deeds Deserve Retelling” by Rohit Brijnath, The Straits Times

Best Sports Photo of the Year: Danny Toh Boon Tuan