Joan Hung is Singapore's first para judoka at any major Games. Photo: SNPC/Goh Siwei
Joan Hung put on her gi, dug deep for courage and went where none had ventured before when she stepped up to the judo mat at The Mall Korat’s convention hall on January 24.
For her bravery and grit, the 29-year-old trailblazer was rewarded with a historic medal.
Hung, Singapore’s first para judoka at any major Games, came away with silver in the women’s J1/J2 60kg event at the 13th ASEAN Para Games in Thailand.
She won three of her four bouts, with a defeat to Indonesia’s Dheny Marsyelina the sole loss on her record. The Singaporean finished with a 3-1 win-loss record, similar to eventual champion Siyamsih, but took second place, given that the Indonesian posted her wins by ippon.
Few had perhaps thought that a goalball convert could deliver a podium finish on her debut Games as a judoka. Hung herself hoped for a medal but certainly did not expect one.
She said: “My aim was just to medal. Silver is above that expectation, so it feels really good.
“The bouts were generally ok. I did everything that I could and trusted in my training. I’m pretty pleased that I was adaptable, and I managed to respond to the different entries.
“I was a bit more hesitant in the match that I lost, so I could’ve been a bit more assertive in my throws and entries.”
Hung captained Team Singapore to a silver at the 2022 edition in goalball, and knows the rigours of competition at this level. This time, however, she was going it solo as she sought how far her sporting path could take her after the goalball team disbanded.
She said: “It didn’t feel very intimidating – just a bit lonelier. But I do feel very lucky that I still have my coaches, my support team and physio around. Of course, all the nice people who came to cheer me on too.”
A medal on her debut Games in para judo has given Hung not just a medal – there is also a great deal of direction.
She said: “The Thailand Games have validated that I still have some competitive runway, that I can still train hard, and I’m still prepared to fight.
“I hope that more (potential para athletes) will see that fighting is an option (too). Not that you have to do it, but that it’s something that you can do if you want to.”
The 13th ASEAN Para Games are held in Thailand from 20 to 26 January 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.