Law won Singapore's first medal at the 2026 Asian Games. Photo: SNOC/ Eng Chin An
It was a case of deja vu for Team Singapore, as it was once again the wushu contingent that put the nation on the medal board at the Asian Games. Taolu exponent Zeanne Law claimed Singapore’s first medal of the Games with a bronze in the women’s taijiquan and taijijian combined event.
Three years ago in Hangzhou, former teammate Kimberly Ong also clinched bronze in the women’s changquan event on her Asian Games debut, securing Singapore’s first piece of silverware at that edition.
On Sunday (Sep 20) afternoon, it was Law’s turn to snag her first piece of silverware at the continental competition after a promising debut in Hangzhou, where she was joint second after her stronger taijiquan event, only to fall to ninth after a deduction in the taijiquan event.
“When I was in Hangzhou, I was still a newbie, I didn’t really know what to do,” she said.
“I grew a lot since then in the way I approach competitions now. But the nerves never go away whether it is a small or big competition.”
“The night before, I told myself to do my best regardless of the outcome and leave with no regrets… In Hangzhou, I did a difficulty score that I was not confident in… after all these years I told myself during practice to just trust myself.”
And it was that self-belief that saw her execute two assured and flawless performances at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Centre.
Her score of 9.720 in the morning’s taijiquan saw her sit in fourth, 0.003 points behind Brunei’s 2022 silver medallist Basma Lachkar.
“After my first event, it might seem like it was so close. But for me, it felt more of a relief because I had nothing to lose compared to those in the podium spots in the morning… so I just gave my very best out on the carpet.”
She posted an improved score of 9.723 in the taijijian event for a combined score of 19.443, earning her a joint bronze with Lachkar after all tiebreaking criteria had been taken into consideration.
Still only 20, the four-time World Taijiquan Championships medallist, was “overwhelmed” by her first scalp at the Games.
“It's my first medal at the Asian Games. It doesn't matter what colour it is. I'm just glad I managed to win one, and the fact that it's a joint medal made it even more memorable because it made two girls happy at least,” she quipped.
The medal was just reward for the countless hours of hard work she put in during her intense training camp in Fujian, China.
“It really paid off even though it was tiring. Day in, day out, you're just training. But I really enjoyed my time there… and I think it really reflects in my performance today.”
In the morning’s competition, Chia Kai Ming gave his all in the opening men’s changquan event but narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing fourth with 9.716 points, just 0.004 behind Indonesia’s Siregar Seraf Naro.
Macau’s Kuong Chi Hin took gold with 9.723, while compatriot Song Chi Kuan claimed silver with 9.720.
Still visibly spent from his routine, Chia hunched over in the mixed zone as he spoke to reporters after the event.
“I am satisfied with what I presented. I enjoyed performing on the stage… and also having a flawless routine with no deductions. Those were the two main goals I had coming to this Asian Games,” he said.
Stepping onto the carpet in Nagoya was a particularly proud moment for the debutant. But it carried even greater significance for the 20-year-old, after his budding career was threatened with an abrupt end by a career-threatening injury he sustained last February.
“I did a very high-risk jump, spinning two rounds horizontally in the air and landing in a split. I landed my whole body weight on my right leg, and it caused a distal fibula fracture with bone displacement.”
“It was crazy. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to even perform again.”
Doctors initially told him it could take six months to walk again, but with intensive physiotherapy, he was back on his feet within three months.
After three surgeries, a metal implant and 10 screws, Chia returned to competition with a bang this May, taking gold in the changquan event at the Oceania International Invitational Wushu Kung Fu Championships.
“Fortunately, I was able to come back to where I am, or maybe better than where I was pre-injury. The injury also taught me how to train smarter instead of just going all out 100 per cent.”
“I had to manage my emotions a lot and my mindset towards the injury,” Chia added.
He credited his comeback to the support of his father, who was watching from the stands in Nagoya.
“He was able to send me around to multiple places in Singapore… so I had more time to rest and eat and be ready for my physio appointments and rehabilitation training, especially when I was still on crutches.”
Meanwhile, veteran Vera Tan finished seventh in the taijiquan and taijijian event with a score of 19.382 and left the competition mat bursting into “happy tears” after capping off her fourth appearance at the Games.
“I was very happy with how I did today. The past week I had a bit of an injury and a lot of self-doubt, so I am happy I managed to overcome that… This is also probably my last Asian Games, so it’s a bit bittersweet.”
Having finished fourth at her debut Games in 2014, when she was the youngest athlete in the contingent, Tan was glad to see the next generation making their mark.
“Zeanne is one of the youngest, and she is performing very well. It feels like coming full circle.”
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.