Celebrating Top Honours at Singapore Sports Awards

Singapore Sports Awards 2026


In 2025, Amanda Yap captured the nation's attention by making sporting history for Singapore while sitting for her GCE O-Level examinations. She became the first Singaporean gymnast to qualify for a World Championships final, achieving the remarkable feat in the midst of her national examinations before going on to finish sixth in the balance beam final.

For her groundbreaking achievement, Amanda was crowned Sportsgirl of the Year at the 2026 Singapore Sports Awards on 6 July 202 at Sandra Expo & Convention Centre.

When Amanda discovered that the World Championships would clash with her O-Level examinations, she initially considered withdrawing from the competition. However, she ultimately chose to compete, recognising it as a rare opportunity to test herself against the world's best and gain invaluable experience. Having secured admission to Singapore Sports School through the Early Admissions Exercise also eased some of the pressure of competing during her examination period.

In 2026, Amanda joined Singapore Sports School to pursue the joint Diploma in Business programme with Republic Polytechnic after graduating from Methodist Girls' School. Determined to continue excelling in both sport and academics, she made the switch to Sports School to better balance her sporting aspirations with her studies.

Reflecting on receiving the prestigious award, Amanda said, "It is a huge honour, and I feel very grateful to have received the award. It reminds me that all the hard work from my coaches, family, teammates, and myself has been worthwhile, and it motivates me to keep working hard and improving. I'm also thrilled that my coach Zhang Zhen was nominated for Coach of the Year as I could not have achieved anything without her guidance, so this award is as much hers as it is mine."

Amanda's inspiring journey also saw her named ST Young Singaporean of the Year in 2026.

Fellow Sports School student-athlete and swimmer Julia Yeo Shu Ning was also nominated for the Sportsgirl of the Year award.

Bowler and alumna New Hui Fen claimed her second Sportswoman of the Year title, having become the first Singaporean to be named the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour Player of the Year. She previously won the award in 2017. Three of the finalists in the category also hailed from Sports School: fencer Juliet Heng Jie Min, and alumni Shanti Pereira and Zeanne Law Zhi Ning.

New Hui Fen was also part of the team that received the Team of the Year (Event) award for its outstanding performance at the HKGZ IBF World Championships. The team also featured alumnae Daphne Tan Shi Jing and Bernice Lim Hui Ying.

In the Sportsman of the Year category, bowler Darren Ong Wei Song and diver Avvir Tham were among the finalists.

Several other Sports School student-athletes and alumni were also recognised with Meritorious Awards during the annual awards ceremony.