Tia’s Can-Do Attitude Wins
Lessons from the Champions - Tia Rozario
Alumna Tia Rozario, Singapore’s jumps queen and national record holder, returned to Singapore Sports School to share her inspiring journey at the Lessons from the Champions assembly session on 13 October 2025. Tia was at Sports School from 2013 to 2018 and graduated from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Tia’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of mindset. She switched to triple jump in her final IBDP year during a period when she faced challenges balancing the demands of sport and her studies. Experiencing a setback as a hurdler, she decided that a move to jumps would help her growth in the sport.
Setting high standards for herself, Tia excelled in her IBDP and went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience at Princeton University, where she continued her training. Her time at Princeton taught her the importance of self-care and celebrating both big and small wins. This change in mindset helped her become Princeton University’s first Triple Jump Champion while pursuing her degree. She later completed a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences at Duke University — an exceptionally demanding program for any athlete.
Despite the challenges of balancing elite sport and rigorous academic programs at top universities, Tia never stopped leaping forward. Her perseverance has earned her qualification for the long jump and triple jump at her first SEA Games in 2025.
She is currently training under Valeri Obidko, her coach from her time at Sports School. In an interview with The Straits Times, she shared, “We’ve waited close to 10 years for this moment, so it’s really special and feels like a full circle moment that I got to hit six metres with coach by my side.”
During the assembly, Tia emphasised the importance of resilience and mindset in achieving success. Her advice to student-athletes: “You win, or you learn and adjust. Don’t let dreams hold you back.” She also shared that how one defines success is a personal choice, encouraging students to celebrate both big and small wins along the way.
Tia’s journey powerfully reminds us that setbacks and challenges are part of the path to achievement. Her story continues to inspire the next generation of champions to pursue their dreams with courage, perseverance, and a “can-is-can” attitude.
Alumna Tia Rozario, Singapore’s jumps queen and national record holder, returned to Singapore Sports School to share her inspiring journey at the Lessons from the Champions assembly session on 13 October 2025. Tia was at Sports School from 2013 to 2018 and graduated from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Tia’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of mindset. She switched to triple jump in her final IBDP year during a period when she faced challenges balancing the demands of sport and her studies. Experiencing a setback as a hurdler, she decided that a move to jumps would help her growth in the sport.
Setting high standards for herself, Tia excelled in her IBDP and went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience at Princeton University, where she continued her training. Her time at Princeton taught her the importance of self-care and celebrating both big and small wins. This change in mindset helped her become Princeton University’s first Triple Jump Champion while pursuing her degree. She later completed a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences at Duke University — an exceptionally demanding program for any athlete.
Despite the challenges of balancing elite sport and rigorous academic programs at top universities, Tia never stopped leaping forward. Her perseverance has earned her qualification for the long jump and triple jump at her first SEA Games in 2025.
She is currently training under Valeri Obidko, her coach from her time at Sports School. In an interview with The Straits Times, she shared, “We’ve waited close to 10 years for this moment, so it’s really special and feels like a full circle moment that I got to hit six metres with coach by my side.”
During the assembly, Tia emphasised the importance of resilience and mindset in achieving success. Her advice to student-athletes: “You win, or you learn and adjust. Don’t let dreams hold you back.” She also shared that how one defines success is a personal choice, encouraging students to celebrate both big and small wins along the way.
Tia’s journey powerfully reminds us that setbacks and challenges are part of the path to achievement. Her story continues to inspire the next generation of champions to pursue their dreams with courage, perseverance, and a “can-is-can” attitude.
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- Tia’s Can-Do Attitude Wins