Just like the last edition, Chan set a new national record in qualification. Photo: SpexSG/ Dejbordin Limsupanark
Shooter Daniel Chan had a birthday to remember, setting a national record of 571 in the men’s 10m air pistol SH1 qualification and finishing sixth in the final of his second Asian Para Games appearance.
“I didn't expect to shoot so high. I was aiming to shoot like the last Games, so I am quite surprised,” said the avid pin collector, who added a glittering badge of honour to his name.
Chan's exploits bettered his own national mark of 565 set at the last edition of the Games in Hangzhou.
Describing it in jest as his most “stressful” birthday yet, Chan, who turned 39 on Oct 20 (Tuesday), credited the visualisation and breathing techniques he has been practising with his new sports psychologist, Brian Miller, for helping him manage the pressure.
“I am very pleased and relieved. Usually before the competition, the build-up makes you feel a lot of stress. So, now, after the competition, it’s a good feeling.”
With 75 minutes to fire 60 match shots, Chan admitted to struggling early on. But after using up much of his allotted time in the first three series, the urgency to complete the remaining three brought out some of his best shooting yet, as he capped his historic performance with scores of 99 and 97 in his final two series.
“I was struggling a bit, but at the end there wasn’t much time for me to think, so that was a good thing for me,” he said.
“Focusing on the process is really important (in shooting). No matter how good or bad the score, we have to forget about it and focus on the next shot.”
In the eight-man decider, Chan competed in an illustrious field full of Paralympic medallists, flanked by 2024 gold medallist Jo Jeong-du of South Korea, who went on to win gold, and 2024 bronze medallist Yang Chao of China
Chan stayed in contention before being eliminated on the 16th shot, ending with a score of 150.1.
“Usually the Asian field is the strongest. It's world-class. So to be able to get into the finals, it's really difficult. I'm really glad I made it.”
“It was quite nerve-wracking. That’s something I need to go back and work on with my coach. I still don’t have a lot of finals experience,” Chan explained.
He will return to the range on Oct 23 (Friday) for the 25m pistol SH1 event, marking just his third competitive outing in the discipline since taking it up.
In the women’s 10m air pistol SH1 qualification, Theresa Goh was 18th out of 24 with a score of 534.
“I feel like I could have done better, but it’s also down to experience. This is my fifth competition, and I am trying to set realistic standards for myself.
The 2025 ASEAN Para Games gold medallist described the elite competition at the Aichi Prefecture General Shooting Gallery as worlds apart from the regional Games.
“At the world championships, I thought I had really good results, which is ironic because it’s the world stage… Maybe my expectations were lower (then).”
“Coming to Asian Para, knowing that it’s closer to ASEAN Para than the world stage, perhaps the level of expectations went up a bit,” said Goh, who was 22nd at the world champs and the 14th best Asian shooter.
“But, all this just adds on to my experience. I always learn a little bit more about myself when I go for competitions…. It’s about building experience and the learning points I can pick up.”
Sporting bleached pink hair as a way to “give her a little additional confidence”, Goh felt that one of these learning points was the importance of not overthinking.
“I appreciate shooting because it’s such a long time to recalibrate… and I can take time to reset,” the 39-year-old who last featured at the 2018 edition in swimming, said.
“I just need to shoot… and try not to overthink it.”
Goh also grappled with nerves the night before, but words of encouragement from loved ones back home helped her recalibrate her mindset and focus on enjoying herself, the very reason she picked up the sport in the first place.
“The 20 years in swimming were great, but there were also times when it was just not fun for me anymore, and I don't want that to happen in shooting,” she reflected.
She was also able to ease some of the pressure with the help of a custom-made chair designed and built by her parents, both engineers.
First trialled at July’s World Shooting Para Sport event in Novi Sad and subsequently at September’s Changwon World Shooting Para Sport Championships, the 40cm by 40cm chair provides greater stability, giving her both reassurance and “a sense of control”.
In the afternoon’s open 10m air rifle prone SH1, debutant Surya Mohan Jha placed 18th out of 25 with a score of 625.1.
The youngest member of Team Singapore’s contingent, the 18-year-old will chalk up the Games as another valuable experience in his fledgling career, having reached the final at January’s ASEAN Para Games, where he finished sixth, and competed alongside his senior teammates at the world championships.
The 5th Asian Para Games are held in Japan from 18 to 24 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.