Cheer for Team S'pore on home ground, chase competition dreams and enjoy …
Ask Team Singapore athletes like Loh Zhi Zhi and Abielle Yeo of the men’s and women’s national water polo teams respectively, and they will likely admit that the energy of a home crowd can give them an extra boost when they dive into the water. And soon, local sports fans will have their chance to […]
Ask Team Singapore athletes like Loh Zhi Zhi and Abielle Yeo of the men’s and women’s national water polo teams respectively, and they will likely admit that the energy of a home crowd can give them an extra boost when they dive into the water. And soon, local sports fans will have their chance to create that electric atmosphere to cheer Team Singapore on as athletes take on the best in the trade at the World Aquatics Championships held on home soil from July 11 to August 3.
But the championships is not just for spectators – it is an opportunity for sports enthusiasts to participate in community challenges, enjoy interactive exhibitions and be part of sporting history as Singapore hosts this prestigious event for the first time.
Ranked second only to the Olympics in prestige for water sports, the event will see over 2,500 athletes from more than 190 countries compete in six aquatic disciplines – swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving – across various venues in Singapore.
This marks the first time the event is being held in South-east Asia, cementing Singapore’s position as a global sports hub alongside other world-class events like Formula 1 and the HSBC Women’s World Championship.
Cheer on Team Singapore, such as national swimmer Teong Tzen Wei as he represents the nation at the World Aquatics Championships 2025. PHOTO: WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
As the world’s top aquatic athletes vie for glory, the championships will also provide Singaporeans of all ages a rare opportunity to participate in high-performance sports.
The World Aquatics Masters Championships, running parallel to the main event from July 26 to Aug 22, invites recreational swimmers, former athletes and fitness enthusiasts, aged 25 to 80 and above to compete in their respective age categories on the same prestigious stages as the world champions. Some 6,000 Masters competitors are expected to try their hand at elite competition.
Mr Alan Goh, co-chairperson of the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025 organising committee emphasises the event’s inclusive nature. “Whether you are joining as a spectator or participating in our community programmes, the championships will have something for you,” he says.
Open water swimming in action at the World Aquatics Championships 2022 in Budapest, one of six aquatic disciplines that will also feature when Singapore hosts this prestigious event for the first time in 2025. PHOTO: WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
He notes that this major sporting event also coincides with Singapore’s SG60 festivities, creating a dual opportunity to commemorate national achievements alongside exhilarating wins in the pool.
“We hope that the spirit and buzz of these championships will leave us a strong legacy that continues to elevate aquatics in Singapore and our region for years to come.”
Everyone can make a splash
For those who prefer a less competitive approach, the organisers will also host the SG60 Swim Challenge from April to June, welcoming swimmers of all abilities to join this nationwide initiative.
Participants can form a team of four to 10 and complete 60 laps collectively or swim up to six laps daily as individuals within the event period. All completed laps help accumulate points, which could give you a chance to redeem prizes such as staycation packages and championship merchandise.
The challenge also has a philanthropic aspect. Participants are encouraged to make a meaningful impact to the community by donating to SportCares through the GameOn SG60 web application. Donations to SportCares will help make sport more accessible to vulnerable members of society.
Mark Chay, former national swimmer and the organising committee’s co-chairperson, explains that the sporting event is not just about elite competition, but also bringing the joy of aquatics to all Singaporeans.
Team Singapore athletes and officials at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in preparation for the World Aquatics Championships, where they’ll have the opportunity to compete on home ground as Singapore hosts this prestigious event for the first time in Southeast Asia.PHOTO: WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
“Our initiatives and community activations unite people of all age groups and create an all-encompassing celebration of aquatic sports,” he says. “By making the championships accessible to everyone – from seasoned athletes to casual swimmers – we are fostering a sense of community and inspiring a new generation of aquatics enthusiasts.”
Multiple platforms will allow aquatics fans and newcomers to learn more about the competition, meet TeamSG athletes and leave their mark on history. The Trash to Treasure school initiative will collect aluminium cans from schools, which will be made into competition medals.
Says Mr Goh: “Through the Trash to Treasure initiative, activations in schools through our school roadshows, and our community roadshows in shopping malls, we want to involve as many people as we can to be part of our activities and celebrations.”
From May to August, interactive exhibitions will tour major shopping centres across the island, offering opportunities to engage with the aquatics community and learn about the various disciplines featured in the championships.
World-class competition on home ground
Even for those content with spectating, there will be plenty to look forward to across the swimming, artistic swimming, water polo, diving and open water swimming events in the World Aquatics Championships and World Aquatics Masters Championships.
Catch elite athletes such as Canadian high diver Molly Carlson in action when the World Aquatics Championships comes to Singapore in July. PHOTO: WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Team Singapore athletes will be competing on home soil, giving local fans a chance to cheer for their compatriots.
One such athlete is Abielle Yeo, the captain of the national women’s water polo team, who views the championships as a milestone for Singapore sports.
“It’s very exciting that we’re hosting such a large-scale event. It’s a good opportunity to showcase how far we’ve come as a sporting nation,” says the 26-year-old. “As athletes, it’s a rare opportunity to benchmark ourselves against the aquatic giants from outside Asia and also to learn from them.”
Her teammate from the men’s water polo team, Loh Zhi Zhi, shares similar sentiments. “This is most definitely a special opportunity for our country; not just for the athletes who will be getting to compete on the world stage, but for our community to witness this level of competition in person,” he says. “Hopefully, this is also a moment of inspiration for many of our young, budding talents to aim higher and a key milestone they can look back upon further in their careers.”
Loh Zhi Zhi (in white cap) of the men’s water polo team is looking forward to measuring his skills against the world’s elite in Singapore’s aquatic spotlight.PHOTO: WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
For these athletes, the home advantage is especially meaningful for national team members.
“Competing at home is indescribably special. To see friends and family in the stands and getting to hear their cheers above the crowd – there is nothing quite like it,” Loh adds. “I am really excited to be sharing this moment with my family, especially my two young boys.”
“We’re glad that our friends and family at home will have the opportunity to witness such an event in our athletic careers,” Yeo adds. “It’s always great to compete with the support from the home crowd.”
Beyond the national team’s participation, the championships will put Singapore in the global sporting spotlight, showcasing elite talent while inspiring future local athletes.
From catching the reigning champion US women’s water polo team in action to participating in community challenges, the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore offers something for everyone. PHOTO: WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
“The championships is one of the sport’s most watched events, featuring world and Olympic champions, as well as the next generation of rising stars,” says Mr Chay. “Getting to witness these athletes live in action is an opportunity that does not come by every day.”
The World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025 will be held from July 11 to Aug 3; the Masters Championships will run from July 26 to Aug 22. Get your tickets here.
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Three Penn State wrestling connections are picked to win at the World Team Trials this weekend
Penn State wrestling is already set to be represented by Luke Lilledahl and Mitchell Mesenbrink at Final X. The June event will feature 20 men’s and women’s freestyle matches to determine the 2025 U.S. Senior team, which will compete at the World Championship later this year. Before that, the U.S. World Team Trials will be […]
Penn State wrestling is already set to be represented by Luke Lilledahl and Mitchell Mesenbrink at Final X. The June event will feature 20 men’s and women’s freestyle matches to determine the 2025 U.S. Senior team, which will compete at the World Championship later this year. Before that, the U.S. World Team Trials will be held this Friday and Saturday in Louisville. That’s where PSU and Nittany Lion Wrestling Club connections can punch their ticket to join Lilledahl and Mesenbrink, and Kyle Snyder in New Jersey. And, one national writer thinks that more than a few will.
Writing for FLO Wrestling, Jon Kozak predicts three Penn State connections will take first this weekend. He projects that senior Levi Haines will win the 79 kilogram (174.1 pounds) bracket while redshirt sophomore Josh Barr claims the 92 kilogram (202.8 pounds) division. He picked the Nittany Lion to do so before Jacob Cardenas dropped from the bracket. Now, Barr might be an even bigger favorite. And, beyond current members of Cael Sanderson’s team, Kozak also has NLWC member and two-time Olympic bronze medalist Kyle Dake taking the 86 kilogram (189.5 pounds) title.
Learn more about the Penn State wrestling connections competing at the U.S. World Team Trials by watching the latest BWI wrestling show below!
“The 79 kg bracket at the WTT is essentially a smaller version of the 79 kg bracket from the US Open,” Kozak writes. “In Vegas, DJ Hamiti finished as the runner-up with a tech fall over Kennedy Monday while losing to Evan Wick in the finals 9-1. Simon Ruiz finished in third place at the US Open, also only losing to Evan Wick (9-5) but defeating Carson Kharchla (twice, 3-2 and 7-7) and Muhamed McBryde (6-4). From these results, Hamiti should be considered a slight favorite, but Ruiz and Kharchla are interesting challengers capable of making a run to the finals.
“Levi Haines is the only wrestler in this bracket who didn’t wrestle at the US Open. While Haines lost to Hamiti at the NCAA Tournament, Haines is capable of winning this bracket in Louisville. Haines hasn’t competed much in freestyle, but he notably finished 4th at the 2024 World Team Trials at 79 kg. There, Haines lost to Jordan Burroughs and David Carr but defeated US Open winner Evan Wick (by pin) and Keegan O’Toole (6-0). Haines’ wrestling translates well to freestyle, and he has incredible potential to win in Louisville and at Final X.”
The action begins 10 a.m. ET on Friday with preliminary round action. The first session closes by 2:30 p.m. ET following the quarterfinal round. The semifinals and consolation bracket action run 4-7:30 p.m. ET on Friday. And, the finals are at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday. FLO is streaming the event. Here’s the list of Penn State connections:
Penn State signee Marcus Blaze and program alum Beau Bartlett – 65 kilograms (143.3 pounds)
Nittany Lion signee PJ Duke – 70 kilograms (154.3 pounds)
Penn State senior Levi Haines – 79 kilograms (174.1 pounds)
Nittany Lion alum Carter Starocci and NLWC member Kyle Dake- 86 kilograms (189.5 pounds)
Penn State redshirt sophomore Josh Barr – 92 kilograms (202.8 pounds)
PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College Athletics celebrated its 2024-25 academic year accomplishments by handing out athletic awards to outstanding student-athletes Wednesday afternoon in the Pirate Union Building. Albin Rosenlund, Isaiah Lopez, Carliese O’Brien, Ciera Agasiva, Gemma Rowland, Evee Stoddard, Sid Gunton-Day and Konrad Mueller all won awards. The Art Feiro Award (basketball) and Wally Sigmar […]
PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College Athletics celebrated its 2024-25 academic year accomplishments by handing out athletic awards to outstanding student-athletes Wednesday afternoon in the Pirate Union Building.
Albin Rosenlund, Isaiah Lopez, Carliese O’Brien, Ciera Agasiva, Gemma Rowland, Evee Stoddard, Sid Gunton-Day and Konrad Mueller all won awards.
The Art Feiro Award (basketball) and Wally Sigmar Award (soccer) go to student-athletes who exemplify leadership, athleticism, academics and citizenship.
Those awards went to Rosenlund of Norrkoping, Sweden, for men’s basketball and to first-team all-region Agasiva of Kalihi, Hawaii, for women’s basketball.
The soccer awards went to Northwest Athletic Conference first-team all-star and defensive player of the year Stoddard of Pocatello, Idaho, for women’s soccer and to first-team all-star Mueller of Trier, Germany, for men’s soccer.
The Pirate Gold Award is given to student-athletes who share inspiration, dedication, accomplishment and ambassadorship.
Those awards went to Lopez of Okinawa, Japan, for men’s basketball and to all-defensive team selection O’Brien of Bethel, Alaska, for women’s basketball.
For women’s soccer, it was first-team all-star and student body president Rowland of Shedd, Ore., and the men’s winner was second-team all-star Gunton-Day of Bristol, United Kingdom.
“These eight student-athletes represent a truly remarkable Class of ’25,” said Rick Ross, associate dean. “The coaches had so many options for these awards. It was a year of high-achieving, high-energy and high-quality young women and men. We are blessed to get to do what we do, coaching and working with athletes from all over the world and helping them advance through their higher education journey.”
As a program, Pirate Athletics won Northwest Athletic Conference championships in women’s and men’s soccer, their 15th NWAC titles since 2010, and claimed three more North Region titles in women’s and men’s soccer and women’s basketball.
The 80 student-athletes combined for an average grade point of 3.2 with about 40 students on the honor roll and president’s list each quarter.
More than 25 sophomores will go on to play at the next level.
Mizzou gymnastics star graduates this spring | Mizzou Xtra
COLUMBIA − Amari Celestine is a force on the floor. She has been a part of Mizzou Gymnastics all four years of her college career. She has been involved with gymnastics since she was a toddler. “I really don’t consider myself good at any other sport,” Celestine said. “Gymnastics has always just been innate to me […]
COLUMBIA − Amari Celestine is a force on the floor. She has been a part of Mizzou Gymnastics all four years of her college career.
She has been involved with gymnastics since she was a toddler.
“I really don’t consider myself good at any other sport,” Celestine said. “Gymnastics has always just been innate to me its just been natural.”
Celestine’s ultimate goal that drove her was getting to college. Now, after helping her team place third at the NCAA Championship final, Celestine will graduate on Saturday.
Celestine helped her team score the highest floor score in Mizzou Gymnastics program history. She has scored 9.900 or higher on floor in 10 of 16 meets this season. She recorded five-straight scores of 9.900+ on bars.
After Mizzou gymnastics earned a third place finish at the NCAA Championship final, Amari talked about the doubters that did not think the team would make it that far. She is a crucial part of uplift to the team, and was determined to leave a mark at Mizzou.
“We can’t let what they feel about us define our efforts,” Celestine said. “We want to say, okay, well this is gonna be the sweetest ‘I told you so’ in the world. Like, you’re gonna see, you’re gonna learn, so I think that’s been really helpful,” Celestine said.
Since being at Mizzou, Amari has earned a handful of awards, earning WCGA Vault Floor First Team All-American in 2022, WCGA All-Around Second Team All-American and WCGA South Central Regional Gymnast of the Year this year. She was also named the 2025 NCAA Seattle Regional Outright Vault Champion.
Celestine has been on the All-SEC team four times. She is only one of two Mizzou gymnasts to earn four All-American honors in four years.
With being on the team for four years, Celestine serves as a leader and a player her teammates can count on. “If I could describe Amari in one word, it would be inspiring,” fellow Mizzou gymnast, Kennedy Griffin, said.
Griffin is a sophomore gymnast who has been under Celestine’s wing. She said she appreciates how Amari genuinely cares for her and her team as teammates and as people outside of the sport.
“She is someone I can come to with something even outside of gymnastics, like helping me apply to an internship that I’m currently doing,” Griffin said.
Post graduation, Amari will be an intern at Rich Paul’s sports agency in Los Angeles, Klutch Sports Agency. She will also be a graduate assistant in southern Alabama this coming fall.
Northwestern Wildcats Ready for NCAA Lacrosse Quarterfinal Vs. Penn
When Northwestern takes the field Thursday at Martin Stadium, the Wildcats will have the opportunity to reach their sixth consecutive Final Four. Just like 2024, Penn stands in the way in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal. The ‘Cats have two decades of championship-caliber history, but they aren’t looking to the past as they gear up for […]
When Northwestern takes the field Thursday at Martin Stadium, the Wildcats will have the opportunity to reach their sixth consecutive Final Four. Just like 2024, Penn stands in the way in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal.
The ‘Cats have two decades of championship-caliber history, but they aren’t looking to the past as they gear up for another title run. Instead, they’re taking it one game at a time.
“This is such an exciting time of the year,” senior midfielder Emerson Boelig said on Wednesday. “We call it Christmas because, like holiday season, you’re so excited. Everyone on the team is ready to go for the next game, and you’re only guaranteed one game, so why wouldn’t we put everything we can into it?”
Northwestern, the No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, enters Thursday with a 17-2 record. The team’s only two losses have come to No. 1 North Carolina and No. 2 Boston College.
The Wildcats played six opponents this season who reached the NCAA Tournament, but the Penn Quakers were not one of them. Madison Taylor, the nation’s leading scorer who logged a tournament-record 10 goals against Michigan on Sunday, said the ‘Cats relish the challenge that comes with facing a team for the first time.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to play a different opponent,” Taylor said. “We’re all really embracing that, working really hard on the field and watching film off the field… We’re really excited just to go out there and play one last game at home this year.”
Boehlig and Taylor were both on the 2023 National Championship team, as well as the 2024 group that fell just short in a rematch with Boston College. While each postseason game gives the players experience in high-pressure moments, Taylor said that coach Kelly Amonte Hiller preaches calmness throughout the game.
It’s this calmness that could take the Wildcats all the way to their ninth National Championship. First, though, Northwestern will have to get past the Quakers on Thursday, with the opening draw set for 11 a.m. CT.
Better golf swing: Nick Saban, Tommy Tuberville, Charles Barkley or Kalen DeBoer? You tell us
College football coaches are all about evaluating talent. Now, we want you to flip the script and evaluate a couple of former coaches when it comes to their golf swing. Who has the better swing: Nick Saban or Tommy Tuberville? Both were in action this week at the Regions Tradition Celebrity Pro-Am golf tournament at […]
College football coaches are all about evaluating talent.
Now, we want you to flip the script and evaluate a couple of former coaches when it comes to their golf swing.
Who has the better swing: Nick Saban or Tommy Tuberville?
Both were in action this week at the Regions Tradition Celebrity Pro-Am golf tournament at Greystone in Hoover.
And, just for fun, we’ll throw in a couple of pretty prominent folks for your consideration.
In addition to the former Alabama and Auburn coaches, consider Auburn football great Bo Jackson, Auburn basketball legend Charles Barkley, Auburn coach Hugh Freeze, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron and Georgia coach Kirby Smart.
Like being a member of the College Football Playoff committee, your evaluation is completely subjective.
There was plenty opinions and interactions among the high-profile ball strikers Wednesday.
Barkley and DeBoer shared some pleasantries.
Meanwhile, DeBoer couldn’t dodge the ever-lingering question about the Crimson Tide quarterback battle.
Barkley, on the other hand, is a huge fan of Birmingham, went after the NCAA and NIL, then revealed his go-to playlist and how much weight he has lost.
Saban, of course, talked about his new appointment to President Donald Trump’s sports commission.
Plenty to sink your teeth into, but what about those swings?
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
Renata Engel to serve as interim vice president for Commonwealth campuses | University Park Campus News
Renata Engel has been named interim vice president for Commonwealth campuses and executive chancellor of the Commonwealth campuses, effective May 19. Formerly the Vice Provost for Online Education, Engel will be filling the role previously left by Margo DelliCarpini, who had moved on to pursue a career at The College of New Jersey. Karen Pollack […]
Renata Engel has been named interim vice president for Commonwealth campuses and executive chancellor of the Commonwealth campuses, effective May 19.
Formerly the Vice Provost for Online Education, Engel will be filling the role previously left by Margo DelliCarpini, who had moved on to pursue a career at The College of New Jersey. Karen Pollack will fill Engel’s former position.
Engel’s previously held Associate Vice Provost for Online Programs, Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the College of Engineering and Director for the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence at Penn State.
“I know this is a time of great change for our Commonwealth Campus communities as the University’s leadership team and Board of Trustees consider changes that will position Penn State for success long into the future,” Engel said in a Penn State press release.
Engel was an undergraduate student at a commonwealth campus herself, and started her bachelor’s degree in engineering science at Penn State Fayette, and later graduated from the University Park campus. Engel then went on to complete a doctorate in engineering mechanics from the University of South Florida.
Shewas a part of the launch of the Penn State World Campus Chaiken Center for Student Success, which works to “ support resources that have been developed for World Campus students” and bring together academic advising services, according to the release.
“I have always thought that we are at our best as a University when we work together to develop innovative solutions to solve our challenges,” Engel said. “That is why I approach every decision or recommendation with the breadth and comprehensiveness of this university in mind.”
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