SMILING SHUTS OFF NERVES

Tan improves for taijijian gold; Law tops in taijiquan at S'pore world c❜ships

- David Lee

Sports Correspondent Just a day earlier, Vera Tan had one regret after clinching a bronze in the women's optional taijiquan at the World Taijiquan Championships at OCBC Arena - she wished she had smiled more during her routine.

On Aug 25, the 26-year-old was beaming brightly as she stood on top of the podium after winning gold in the optional taijijian. She topped the 16-strong field with her score of 9.700, just pipping compatriot Zeanne Law (9.696) and Brunei's Basma Lachkar (9.686).

She told The Straits Times: "I tried to smile more today! I was actually more nervous today. I'm not sure why, but I didn't feel I was in my best form during my warmup.

However, I'm glad I managed to shut off the nerves and perform as I usually do in training.

"I was 16 when I won the women's optional taijiquan gold (in the first edition of the championships) but they didn't have this many competitors then. So, I'm happy to win gold again after a long time." Tan has enjoyed a renaissance of late as she ended her World Wushu Championships medal drought in 2023 with a taijijian bronze.