Wushu exponent Kimberly Ong clinches bronze, Singapore's first medal at Asian Games

HANGZHOU: It has been a roller coaster year for Singapore wushu exponent Kimberly Ong.

In January, the 21-year-old underwent surgery to remove a cyst in her womb.

But months later, she bounced back at the 32nd SEA Games, winning gold in the women’s daoshu and gunshu combined event and retaining her title.

On Monday (Sep 25), Ong made it an Asian Games to remember after she clinched a bronze – Singapore's first medal at the Hangzhou meet.

In the women's changquan final at the Xiaoshan Guali Sports Centre, Macao's Li Yi took gold, while Hong Kong's Liu Xuxu claimed silver.

Ong's compatriot Zoe Tan finished fourth.

This was the first Asian Games medal for Singapore in the sport since the 2014 edition.

“I’m just very glad to come back after all those obstacles, and still be able to represent Singapore,” Ong told CNA.

“Most importantly, I’m very grateful that my association continues to give me the opportunity to compete even after dips in my performance and they vest their trust in me and allow me to come out and represent Singapore. 

“In return, I try my best to do well for Singapore, and I’m glad I did that today.”

Ong finished eighth in the same event at the SEA Games in May. Given the level of competition at the Asian Games, she did not have any “big expectations” coming in, she said.

Reflecting on the year so far, Ong said she is now a more resilient athlete.

“Even when I have very bad days, I just tell myself: ‘It’s not as bad as when you were in the hospital’. And then I feel a lot better about myself,” she added.

The Asian Games were officially opened by China's President Xi Jinping on Saturday night, after being delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the last edition in 2018, Team Singapore finished with four golds,