Imagine witnessing a moment that breaks a long-standing drought of six decades in Singapore’s athletics history—this is exactly what happened when Calvin Quek claimed victory in the men's 400m hurdles at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. This extraordinary achievement marked Singapore’s first gold medal in this event since 1965, a feat that has eluded the nation for over half a century.
And here's where it gets truly compelling: Quek ran a remarkable race, finishing in 50.27 seconds at the Suphachalasai Stadium, surpassing competitors from Vietnam—Nguyen Duc Son and Le Quoc Huy—who finished behind him. Quek’s victory isn’t just a statistic; it’s a testament to years of perseverance and dedication.
Reflecting on his journey, Quek shared, “This is something I’ve been working toward since 2023. The past year was particularly tough,” visibly moved as he spoke with reporters after the race. Yet, he added with a smile, “Luckily, 2025 turned out to be a great season. From start to finish, my timings were consistent and encouraging.”
To understand the significance of this win, consider the history: the last Singaporean male athlete to stand atop the podium in this event was M Gunasena in 1965. Quek’s recent accomplishments build on this legacy—after securing a bronze at the 2022 SEA Games, which was Singapore’s first medal in the men’s 400m hurdles since 1969, he went on to achieve another bronze in Cambodia’s previous edition. But his ambitions didn’t stop there.
He also set a new national record in August with a time of 49.75 seconds, heightening expectations and adding pressure to secure the gold this time. “Winning this gold means a huge relief after a year filled with intense effort,” Quek admitted.
This victory is more than just a standalone achievement; it marks Singapore’s third gold in athletics at these Games, following a historic consecutive double victory by sprinter Shanti Pereira, who dominated in the 200m sprints. Interestingly, both Pereira and Quek are under the guidance of coach Luis Cunha, whose coaching evidently played a significant role in their success.
Quek credits his transformation to Coach Luis, mentioning, “Before joining him, I wasn’t even close to qualifying for major competitions or SEA Games. I was practically nowhere.” He emphasized his focus on running his own race, especially in the final stretch, where, blinded by the competition, he didn’t track where his opponents were—yet he managed to stay ahead and finish strong.
This victory not only caps a season of hard work but also serves as a reminder: perseverance, proper coaching, and staying true to oneself can lead to historic breakthroughs. But here’s a question to ponder—could this milestone inspire a new era of sporting excellence for Singapore? Or will it remain a shining exception? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
