Sixty golds for SG60 a realistic target for S'pore

History beckons for Team Singapore in Thailand, where its largest-ever contingent of 930 athletes battle for gold medals across 48 sports at the Dec 9-20 SEA Games.

- David Lee Senior Sports Correspondent

In a year when the nation celebrates its SG60 milestone, The Straits Times believes that Singapore's representatives can win 60 golds for its biggest overseas haul at the Games.

In 2017, Singapore's 568-strong contingent won 57 golds, 58 silvers and 73 bronzes across 35 sports - its best for an away Games.

Once again, the Republic's athletes are expected to dominate in aquatics, fencing and table tennis, which would help bring in more than half of the 60-gold target, while mounting a strong challenge in bowling, sailing and shooting.

Since 2005, Singapore have been the best swimming nation at the SEA Games. At the last edition, they claimed 22 golds and this time the squad boast a blend of experience and youth led by sprint king Teong Tzen Wei and the Quah siblings Ting Wen, Zheng Wen and Jing Wen.

Despite the retirement of former Olympic champion Joseph Schooling in 2024, there is no doubt they will continue to reign supreme at the Asean level, although they will face a challenge courtesy of Kayla Sanchez, an Olympic and world championship medallist with Canada who now competes for the Philippines.

Despite setting a modest target of 20 golds across five disciplines, Singapore Aquatics can bank on the men's water polo team to retain their title, while challenging for top honours in the women's event. They will also be aided by the return of the artistic swimming competition (three events) for the first time since 2017.