Singapore Sport Hall of Fame Honours Women Pioneers Tang Pui Wah and Tay Chin Joo

(Left to Right) Mr Toh Boon Yi (CEO, SpexSG), Mr Alan Goh (CEO, SportSG), Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam (President of the Republic of Singapore), Ms Tang Pui Wah (HOF 2026 Inductee), Ms Tay Chin Joo (HOF 2026 Inductee), Mr David Neo (Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Senior Minister of State for Education), Ms Teoh Zsin Woon (Permanent Secretary, MCCY) at the Singapore Sport Hall of Fame 2026.

Singapore, 17 July 2026 – Two former Team Singapore athletes were inducted into the Singapore Sport Hall of Fame today – Tang Pui Wah, Singapore’s first female Olympian, and Tay Chin Joo, a pioneering figure in Singapore swimming.

Representing two generations of sporting pioneers, both women have left an indelible mark on Singapore sport. Their induction into the Singapore Sport Hall of Fame recognises not only their achievements in competition, but their enduring contributions to the sporting community beyond their competitive careers – embodying the spirit of One Team Singapore and serving as role models for future generations of athletes.

The induction ceremony was attended by Guest-of-Honour Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, and Special Guest Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Senior Minister of State for Education. President Tharman said, “Tang Pui Wah and Tay Chin Joo created sporting history, both as exceptional athletes in their time and by opening paths for other Singaporeans to follow. They showed what was possible with dedication, tenacity, and passion.”

Tang Pui Wah – Breaking Barriers on the Track

Tang Pui Wah, who is currently 92 years old, competed at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games as Singapore's first female Olympian. Other notable achievements include multiple gold medals at the 1951 Malayan Amateur Athletic Association Championships and a bronze medal in the 80m hurdles at the 1954 Asian Games. In 2014, she was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame, which recognises the achievements and contributions of Singapore’s most outstanding women in various fields.

Her greater legacy, however, lies in the generation of women she inspired. Fellow Olympian Mary Beatrice Klass has credited Tang's achievements as the inspiration behind her own journey as an athlete. Her willingness to compete when few women did, paved the way for those who followed.

Ms Tang Pui Wah, Singapore Sport Hall of Fame Inductee and former Team Singapore sprinter and hurdler said, “Competing in sport during my younger days gave me many unforgettable experiences. It was a privilege to represent Singapore and travel to places I had never imagined, including competing at the Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952. Those experiences taught me the enduring values of sport. Along the way, I also made friendships that I continue to treasure. I never expected to be recognised so many years later for what I did then. Sport instilled in me values such as perseverance, commitment and always striving to do my very best, and these have guided me throughout my life. I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition.”

Tay Chin Joo – A Lifetime in the Pool

Tay Chin Joo, who is currently 71 years old, became Singapore's youngest-ever Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games gold medallist at the age of 10 — a record that remains unbroken. She represented Singapore at four consecutive SEAP Games, won medals at three Asian Games, and competed at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. She was awarded the SNOC Meritorious Award in 1971 and 1972, and named Sportswoman of the Year in 1973.

After retiring from competitive swimming, she went on to establish the foundation of Singapore's national artistic swimming programme, including athlete pathways and development, competition structures, and high performance systems. She is currently serving her second term as Vice President of Artistic Swimming at Singapore Aquatics (SAQ).

Ms Tay Chin Joo, Singapore Sport Hall of Fame Inductee and former Team Singapore swimmer said, “Being inducted into the Sport Hall of Fame is a proud and deeply meaningful moment for me — a recognition of my journey both as an athlete and in my contributions to the aquatics community. Seeing our artistic swimming athletes grow from being unplaced in the region to becoming a top nation in Southeast Asia has been incredibly fulfilling, and I hope this inspires current and future athletes to see their sporting career as just the beginning of a longer contribution to sport.”

Honouring Singapore Sporting Legacy

The Singapore Sport Hall of Fame is more than a collection of individual accolades – it is a record of Singapore's sporting history. Since its refresh in 2023, the Hall of Fame has expanded to include a category for Sport Leaders, recognising that Singapore's sporting success is built not only by athletes, but by the coaches, sport administrators, and sport scientists who work behind the scenes.

A total of 30 nominations were received between 28 July to 28 September 2025 – 13 under the Athlete category and 17 under the Sport Leader category. After a thorough assessment by the Expert Panel and Selection Panel, two individuals were selected to be inducted into the Singapore Sport Hall of Fame.

While there are no Sport Leader inductees this year, the category remains an important part of the Sport Hall of Fame. The 2024 inaugural cohort demonstrated the breadth of careers that have shaped Singapore sport and serves as a reminder that a career in sport can take many forms.

For more information on the Sport Hall of Fame, visit  https://www.teamsingapore.sg/hall-of-fame.