Thailand 2025: Theresa Goh crowned champion on first APG outing as shooter, Daniel Chan also wins gold

Theresa Goh was competing at her 10th ASEAN Para Games, but first one not as a swimmer. Photo: SportSG/Dejbordin Limsupanark

On her 10th ASEAN Para Games outing, Singapore’s most bemedalled athlete at the biennial event added to her haul to win her 29th overall gold medal. 

For Theresa Goh, it was arguably the most unexpected yet meaningful one, coming at a point in her life and sporting career where she feels content and at ease with how she is approaching high performance sport. 

This latest title comes not in the arena she is most well-known for. This time, the Paralympic swimming medallist is on top of the podium for her achievements with an air pistol. 

She shot 220.0 in the P2 women’s 10m air pistol SH1 on January 23, en route to taking her first APG gold medal in shooting para sport. 

Goh took gold ahead of two Indonesians, Jannah (left) and Triyanti (right). Photo: SportSG/Dejbordin Limsupanark

That the feat comes just 18 months after she first encountered the sport, venturing out purely to “have fun”, was perhaps most surprising for the athlete herself. 

“I didn't expect to medal at an APG until a later edition,” said Goh, who turns 39 in February. “I knew I was going to do my best, (but) I didn't expect to have this outcome.

“To embark on something, and for it to have the best results, clearly I've got to have fun. Today proved that theory to me. I went into the finals knowing that it was going to be more stressful and to expect a more intense crowd. 

“I just did my best to focus on the process and actively block out the screen in front of us where I can see the standings of all the people in the finals.”

Goh is no stranger to blocking out distractions, expectations, and noise. After all, she has done it over countless swimming meets, including when she won Paralympic bronze at the Rio 2016 Games. This ability returned full circle on Friday to give her a shot in the arm at the shooting range, when she qualified fourth for the seven-strong final. 

“I could feel my heartbeat in my ear, but somehow it was still manageable to shoot,” said Goh, whose score of 536 in the qualification round was also a national record. 

“It's pretty sweet to be back in sport, and to be validated for the training I've been doing.⁠ ⁠It proves to me that I've still got that competitive spirit in me. I still can learn something new and do well in it. This old dog can learn new tricks and do them well.”

Her gold medal was not the only time Majulah Singapura rang loud at the shooting range on January 23. 

Teammate Daniel Chan also earned top place on the podium, striking gold in the P1 men’s air pistol SH1 with a score of 229.1. 

Daniel Chan won Team Singapore's other gold medal at the shooting range on January 23, winning the P1 men's 10m air pistol SH1. Photo: SportSG/Dejbordin Limsupanark

The 2024 Paris Paralympian had qualified first for the final, but with the final starting from scratch, he said it mattered little. 

“The formats are very different, so I have to quickly put the ranking behind me and focus on what I need to do in the final, which is to be bold and commit to squeezing the trigger. 

“It’s a new game for everyone, and everyone has a chance.” 

Still, it is a successful debut at the APG for Chan, as he builds on his aspirations to contend with the world’s best. 

He said: “The Paralympics were definitely a dream come true and an amazing experience. It has helped me stay grounded and motivated to improve my technique, so that I can catch up with the top shooters in the world.” 

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.