The grounds of SAFRA Yishun’s Indoor Air Weapons Shooting Range have been graced by some of Singapore’s finest marksmen – including recent Paris 2024 Olympian, Teh Xiu Hong.
We speak with the national athlete herself as she shares it all – how it all began, her journey to the Olympics and her drive behind her go-getter attitude.
Always pushing forward
In her bid to qualify for the Olympics in 2024, Teh Xiu Hong — who is a national athlete with the Singapore Shooting Association — took part in the Asian Rifle and Pistol Championships in January. Xiu Hong was just one spot short of qualifying. Three months later, she competed at the ISSF Final Olympic Qualification Championship, only for that dream to elude her once again, this time by two places.
“I faced many setbacks and disappointments,” she told The Straits Times in June 2024. This wasn’t the end of the road, however, for this World Cup champion, as the ranking points she had accumulated from the various competitions qualified her for a spot in the Paris Olympics, beating eminent contenders such as 2016 Olympian Teo Shun Xie.
Fast forward to August 2024, and Xiu Hong was at the heart of France vying for the gold medal in the women’s 25m pistol qualification. Her dazzling display of technical flair led her to overtake 28 of the world’s top shooters, with just two points away for a spot at the finals. She finished 12th out of 40 competitors.
“Developing a strong mind means learning to handle both victories and defeats,” she shares, reminding up-and-coming competitors that “every competition is a learning experience, win or lose.” To Xiu Hong, the pursuit of excellence entails a need for continuous improvement that is undeterred by setbacks. “The best shooters are the ones who can learn from their experiences and keep pushing themselves to be better,” she affirms.
Setting herself up for success
When Xiu Hong first visited the Indoor Air Weapons Range (IAWR) at SAFRA Yishun 15 years ago, little did she expect that this professional training centre would become her second home. “I distinctly remember being filled with awe at how posh and clean the place looked when I visited for the first time,” she recalls. Since joining her secondary school’s shooting club in 2007, she has spent a great deal of time training and competing in this very space. “Five days a week, I will be here for four to five hours each day just throwing myself into shooting practices. Here and there, I will also toss in strength training and stretching sessions,” she shares when asked about her training regimen leading up to the Olympics.
It is a strenuous routine, but that is what it takes to be at the pinnacle of athletic success. “If you want an actual career out of this, be prepared to put in the hard work. It’s a demanding sport, with training sessions that will also demand you sacrifice weekends and public holidays,” she says, stressing that “consistent practice is what builds the skills and muscle memory you need to succeed.”
World-class and one-of-a-kind
Xiu Hong is just one of many seasoned athletes who frequent IAWR’s various facilities, according to Simon Lim, the Chairman of SAFRA’s Shooting Club. “Many national shooters who have competed in the likes of the Olympics, SEA Games and Asian Games see IAWR, apart from the National Shooting Centre, as their primary training ground,” he affirms, adding that “the IAWR is also the preferred venue when Singapore is chosen to host these international qualifiers.”
And no wonder; this prime shooting range houses 33 lanes, each of which comes with a contemporary electronic target system. This handy installation projects crucial data that both casual and veteran shooters can utilise to fine-tune their technique and form. For avid marksmen who are looking to take it to the next level, IAWR has a passionate team of coaches ever ready to guide, mentor and encourage.
Ultimately, beyond the prestige and glory, IAWR and SAFRA’s Shooting Club are best represented by the community it has worked endlessly to foster and nurture. “The interest of our members and their families have always been our primary focus. On that note, we have worked tirelessly together with the Singapore Shooting Association to make sure that the range is well maintained, accessible and affordable for our community,” Simon assures.
Join Simon and other enthusiastic shooters at SAFRA’s Shooting Club to enjoy discounted rental fees and a chance to take part in local and regional shooting competitions. Visit safra.sg/shooting-club for more information.
Always on the lookout for new talent
Does your child have an aptitude for shooting? IAWR’s Junior Shooting Programme (JSP) is an exclusive mentorship that will put young and budding sharpshooters through a structured curriculum to impart invaluable shooting skills that will hone their accuracy and weapon proficiency.
If you think your kid has what it takes to join the big league, sign them up!
For more information, visit safra.sg/safra-junior-shooting-program
Also check out if I was A Hit or Miss at SAFRA Yishun’s Indoor Air Weapons Range!
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