Ian and John both won medals at their debut Games. Photo: SNOC/ Lim Weixiang
A debut gold in the Asian Games boys’ dinghy (ILCA4) event looked to have been on the cards for Ian Goh ahead of the final day of racing on Saturday (Oct 3).
The title only just slipped from his grasp as he finished equal on net points (25) with Choi Jiun, the South Korean having edged the Singaporean marginally with three race wins to Ian’s two across 12 races.
The 2026 silver matches his older brother’s, Isaac, result from Hangzhou.
Cutting a disappointed figure in the mixed zone, Ian said: “I just feel like I didn't really do my best today. I made many mistakes that I normally don't make. So I just felt upset with how I sailed today.”
Having trained in the ILCA 4 for the past three years, Ian conceded that the silverware did show “that at least some of my work has paid off”.
Describing the regatta as a “stressful” one, Ian was able to rely on advice from Isaac, who is currently serving National Service, and senior teammate Ryan Lo, who races in the ILCA7 class.
With the Games being his first time at the same meet with two-time Olympian Lo, Ian was able to receive some precious words of encouragement throughout his regatta.
“He supported me through the event. Sometimes I felt a bit stressed out, but he still comforted me. He told me he’s been there before and gave me advice on the wind conditions and how to manage my race,” said the 16-year-old, who shares a room with Lo.
Coming into the Games, Ian had strung together a series of strong performances with a 10th-placed finish at last July’s ILCA 4 Youth World Championships, a win at February’s Hong Kong Race Week, and Under-18 titles at April’s Asian Beach Games and June’s ILCA Asian Cup 2026.
“I’ve proven myself to be at least one of the best in Asia, and with my years of training, I thought I could have won a gold medal, but it is what it is,” Ian rued.
There was a fourth sailing medal – second on the day – for Team Singapore, with debutant John Wong bagging the country’s first Asiad medal in windsurfing with a bronze in the iQFoil class.
After 11 races, John finished with a score of 25 net points, behind Japan’s silver medallist Masato Kozono (18) and Hong Kong’s Wong Tsz Ho (13).
“We only did one race (on the final day), but it was really close fighting and in the end, I am really happy to finish it off with bronze,” said John, who picked up the sport just four years ago after seeing someone windsurfing at East Coast Park.
John, who is aiming to compete at the 2032 Olympics, came into the competition with “no expectations”, having had to juggle his studies with land-based training in the gym while his competitors mostly took a gap year to train more on the water.
“(This medal) definitely gives me more confidence to pursue (this)... For me, this is just an eye-opener that I can do this for the long run,” said John, who will be competing at the Youth Sailing World Championships in December.
Also headed to the championships is Games debutant Angyal Chew, who finished fifth in the girls’ windsurfing event.
“We only managed to do one race, but I think I was able to give it my all since it's the last day and I have nothing to lose, so I'm grateful for that,” said Chew, who missed out on top three finishes after hitting six different fishes across six races.
Reflecting on her experience at the Games, Chew praised the supportive environment at the Kaiyoh Yacht Harbour.
“I do windsurfing in the iQFoil class, and there are very few athletes in Singapore, so we rarely get this chance to have so many Singaporean athletes together at the same time, so I'm very blessed to be here.”
Youth mixed dinghy duo Ashlea Tham and SEA Games Optimist gold medallist Ethan Chia also felt the same amount of support in their Games bow.
“I'm very happy with what we have gotten (though it) definitely could have been better, but I think overall the experience here was great. The friends and families supporting us back in Singapore and also here in Japan definitely gave me a new experience to think about for my next few years of sailing,” Ethan said.
For ILCA4 sailor Mika Tew, who finished fifth out of nine in the girls’ dinghy, having the mental strength to “push through races and not give up after a few bad races” will be something she is hoping to take into her future competitions with her sights set on December’s ILCA Asian Open Championships and next year’s SEA Games.
Coming into the Games with an Under-18 bronze at March’s ILCA Asian Cup in Chinese Taipei and an Under-16 silver in June’s ILCA Asian Cup in China, Mika came just short of a debut medal, six points separating her and bronze medallist Lee Songha of South Korea.
But interacting with the team’s senior sailors has given her ample inspiration going forward.
“I've talked to Jania and Ryan, and I asked them for advice on some things I was facing, especially because I was struggling with the downwinds,” the Raffles Girls’ School student said. “The advice they give is really relatable… There are also a lot of Olympians among us competing here, so it really inspires me to keep going.”
In the women’s windsurfing event, Marsha Shahrin came fourth out of 7 with 41 net points.
China’s Li Wenqi (nine), Hong Kong’s Ma Kwan Ching (17) and Japan’s Rina Niijima (28) brought home the medals.
Team Singapore’s sailing team concluded their Asiad campaign with three silvers and a bronze.
The 20th Asian Games are held in Japan from 19 September to 4 October 2026. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.