SEA Games 2025: Singapore athletes find breakthroughs on the track

High jumper Kampton Kam (left) and hurdler Ang Chen Xiang (right) won silver medals at the 33rd SEA Games on Dec 12. Photo: SportSG/Jeremy Lee

A slight headache and a touch of food poisoning nearly stood in the way of Singapore’s first men’s high jump medal in 30 years. 

But Kampton Kam has cleared difficulties far more challenging, having endured injury woes and personal tragedy in recent years. The 24-year-old regrouped well in an “intense” final to finish second in the men’s high jump event in Bangkok, clearing 2.19m to clinch Singapore’s first medal in the event since Wong Yew Tong’s silver in 1995.

His teammates also had successful outings at the Suphachalasai Stadium – Ang Chen Xiang set a national record of 13.75s en route to taking silver in the men’s 110m hurdles, while Games debutant Kerstin Ong also posted a new national mark of 13.85s in the women’s 100m hurdles.

Kampton Kam's medal is Singapore's first in men's high jump since the 1995 SEA Games, when Wong Yew Tong won a silver. Photo: SportSG/ Jeremy Lee

Kam is making his second appearance at the Games, having missed the 2022 and 2023 editions due to a collapsed lung and school examinations respectively. 

“I just wanted to do Singapore proud. It’s been a long time since we had a medal in the men’s high jump and I thought I could go for the gold. I know this will be fuel for me to keep going and push, and hopefully bring home the gold medal at the next editions,” said Kam, who finished behind Thailand’s Tawan Kaeodam (2.22m). 

This is Kampton Kam's second appearance at the SEA Games and his first medal. Photo: SportSG/ Jeremy Lee

Recalling the final few jumps, he said: “It was getting intense. In my mind, I was slipping away (from) the medal and I told myself I’m here to just enjoy it. I do better when I’m feeling less stressed about it and I just wanted to give the crowd a good time. We had a lot of Singaporean fans out there and I’m really appreciative of that – that helped me get over the bar.” 

Kam, whose grandmother, parents and aunt were in the stands cheering him on, added: “My mum had cancer two years ago, and it means a lot for her to be here. My granddad just passed away earlier this year so he couldn’t be here, but to see my grandma and my aunt here as well … there was a lot of sacrifice they had to make to come here.”

Kampton Kam with his family outside the Suphachalasai National Stadium. Photo: SportSG/ Jeremy Lee

He also paid tribute to the various Singapore sporting bodies for their support throughout his journey as an athlete. 

“I thought I was contending for the gold medal coming into 2022, and then my lung collapsed. That was an episode that really changed the trajectory of my performance. That being said, it’s been a grind to get back to where I am today,” he said. “This continuous support, as I mentioned, has helped me. The belief (they had) in me to come back means a lot. (Bringing) home the medal for Singapore just gets me riled up to come back (for) 2027 and 2029.”

Fellow silver medallist Ang, who rewrote his own national record for the fourth time this year, was happy despite relinquishing his title. John Christopher Tolentino of the Philippines took gold in a Games record of 13.66s. 

Ang Chen Xiang set a national record of 13.75s en route to taking silver in the 110m hurdles at the 33rd SEA Games. Photo: SportSG/ Jeremy Lee

“The time is a personal best and I can’t ask for more. The silver medal is something that I can’t control; John ran a faster time than me,” said the 31-year-old Ang. “My aim was to come to the start line healthy, finish the race well and execute the technique I’ve been working on for the past year.”

Ang Chen Xiang has set four national records in 2025. Photo: SportSG/ Jeremy Lee

On setting four national marks this year, he said: “The general misconception is that athletes who are older will be fading, but in a highly technical (event) like the hurdles, technical skill keeps improving with experience. As long as I maintain my strength and speed and my technique matures, I get faster. That’s been my strategy in the past two years.”

Fellow hurdler Kerstin Ong is also on a perennial quest to get faster. The 28-year-old, who finished sixth in her race, broke her own national record by 0.01s. 

Kerstin Ong finished sixth in the 100m hurdles at the 33rd SEA Games. Photo: SportSG/ Jeremy Lee

“Of course I’m happy to finally qualify for the SEA Games after 10 years of trying. I did well, but I wish I had done better. It’s still a national record, and it was in the plan – that’s the most important thing. But I still want to be better,” she added.

“There’s a lot more to come. This will not be my last; I want to go on to 2027 and even 2029, in Singapore.”

The 33rd SEA Games are held in Thailand from 9 to 20 December 2025. 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.