Tay Wei-An Terry: 'It's not all about the medals'
Tay Wei-An Terry's fifth Southeast Asian Games campaign got off to an emotional start. The Singaporean gymnast was chosen to carry his nation's flag at the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 SEA Games - and he hopes to win more medals as well.
Artistic Gymnastics
“What a career defining moment! Being chosen as Singapore’s Flag-Bearer for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia is a true honour,” posted Singapore artistic gymnast Tay Wei-An Terry on social media, ahead of participating in his fifth edition of the biennial multi-sport event.
Tay’s proud flag-waving duties during the Opening Ceremony on Friday 5 May at the 70,000-seater Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh are a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
But it’s not just pride in carrying his nation’s flag, representing a delegation of 558 compatriots taking part in the Games from 5-17 May, but his own personal journey that's important to Tay.
“Looking back, I have truly come a long way since my first SEA Games in 2011. 12 years on, competing at my 5th SEA Games, much experience has been gained and memories forged.”
Tay’s SEA Games medal haul includes silver on floor and team bronze at Hanoi 2021, with the nation also securing third place at their home Games in 2015. In the year of his first SEA Games, the now 29-year-old also won Commonwealth Youth Games bronze on vault.
The 2023 SEA Games provides another opportunity for winning medals but that's not what competing is all about for Tay.
Terry Tay on goals
Adding to his medal tally when the artistic gymnastics competition takes place on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 May at the National Olympic Stadium is of course an aim.
Up against the likes of six-time world medallist Carlos Yulo of the Philippines and Vietnam’s SEA Games 2021 medallists Dang Ngoc Xuan Thien and Dinh Phuong Thanh, making the podium will be a challenge, but Tay cites his growth as a person equally important.
“Life is an ongoing journey of refinement; one can, and should never stop learning,” posted Tay, who shares his wealth of knowledge to aid his compatriots after being appointed to the Singapore National Olympic (SNOC) Athletes' Commission for the term of 2022–2025. “There is still so much to learn, and many new experiences to be gained. Onward to making new memories!”