Daniella Ng
-- PHOTO: WEE TECK HIAN
- With an eye on higher targets, Singapore
is sending its youngest ever contingent
of athletes to the 24th SEA Games
(Dec 6-15). TODAY turns the spotlight on
12 youngsters being blooded in Thailand.
DANIELLA NG, 15
Discipline:Sailing
SEA Games events: Optimist
Claim to fame:
Silver medallist in the
match racing event at the 2007 IODA
World Optimist Sailing Championship
WHY ALL THE FUSS?
Co-national captain Koh Seng Leong, who
won silver at the 2006 Asian Games, tips
her to excel on bigger stages beyond the
SEA Games. “In just three years, she’s
risen through the ranks to become one of
Singapore’s top Optimist sailors,” he said.
“She will be a fast learner in the 420 class
once she moves on from the Optimist.”
SHE NEARLY WASN’T A SAILOR
Three years ago, Daniella was a middle distance
runner at St Hilda’s Primary
School, running in the 400m and 800m
events. It was by chance that a teacher
asked her to join the school’s sailing team
to help make up the numbers.
“It was not a tough decision to give
up athletics,” she said. “I’d already liked
sailing before my teacher asked me to
join the school team. And when I did, I
realised I really liked the sport and have
chosen to continue since then.”
AND NOW SHE’S EYEING GOLD
“It may be my first SEA Games, but Ibelieve that if you’re well-prepared,
it can be done — and I’ve been training
for it since September,” she said.
“I’m targeting a gold medal.”
This will be Daniella’s first
and last SEA Games in the Optimist,
an under-16 class, and she will
graduate to the 420 class, partnering
Benita Chua.
Read more stories on the 24th SEA Games here. |
