Singapore’s highest sporting honours are back. The Singapore Sports Awards 2026 finalists have been unveiled by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), with sprint icon Veronica Shanti Pereira and Formula Kite world champion Max Maeder among the nominees vying for the top individual prizes. Winners will be announced at the ceremony on Friday, 3 July 2026.
Shanti Pereira Eyes Sportswoman of the Year
Veronica Shanti Pereira is among eight finalists for the Sportswoman of the Year award at the Singapore Sports Awards 2026. Singapore’s most decorated sprinter is joined by Stephenie Chen Jiexian (Canoe), Gan Ching Hwee (Swimming), Juliet Heng Jie Min (Fencing), Zeanne Law Zhi Ning (Wushu), New Hui Fen (Bowling), Shannon Tan Xuan Yin (Golf), and Valencia Yip (Kickboxing).
The Sportsman of the Year category is equally competitive. Maximilian Maeder — fresh from successfully defending his Formula Kite World Championship title — is joined by Darren Ong Wei Siong (Bowling), Calvin Quek Jun Jie (Athletics), Tay Yu Xuan (Wushu), Avvir Tham (Diving), and Aloysius Yapp (Cue Sports). Six finalists, all with strong cases, make this one of the most open Sportsman of the Year races in recent memory.
Fencing, Dragon Boat and Football Among Team of the Year Nominees
The Team of the Year (Team Sport) category recognises five outstanding collective achievements: the Basketball 3×3 Men’s Team, Dragon Boat Women’s Team, Football Men’s Team, Tchoukball Women’s Team, and Water Polo Men’s Team. For Singapore’s football community, having the Lions recognised as a Team of the Year finalist is a meaningful acknowledgement of the national team’s progress.
The Team of the Year (Event) category celebrates standout performances at specific competitions. The Fencing Women’s Foil Team — Amita Berthier, Cheung Kemei, Stephanie Lee Ting Yi and Maxine Wong Jie Xin, gold medallists at the 2025 Asian Fencing Championships — headline the six nominees. They are joined by the Bowling Women’s Team (HKGX IBF World Championships), Pencak Silat Women’s Artistic Team (9th Asian Pencak Silat Championships), Shooting Women’s Rifle Team (33rd SEA Games), Swimming Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay (33rd SEA Games), and Table Tennis Men’s Doubles (2025 Europe Smash).
Singapore Sports Awards 2026: World Aquatics and Major Events in the Frame
The Competition Sport Event of the Year category pits two extraordinary occasions against each other: the World Aquatics Championships — Singapore 2025 and the Toyota World Para Swimming Championships — Singapore 2025. Both events underlined Singapore’s growing status as a world-class sports host and were significant highlights of the nation’s SG60 anniversary year.
The Best Sports Photo category showcases the most striking images from Singaporean sport in 2025. Among the five finalists, Kong Chong Yew’s photograph of Marissa Hafezan’s karate victory at the SEA Games secured Singapore’s first karate gold in 32 years. Kelly Wong captured a memorable image of Amita Berthier forming a heart shape with her opponent using their sabres during the Women’s Foil Team final, while Teo Yong Kang’s aerial shot from the World Aquatics Championships has drawn significant attention from the judging panel.
The Ceremony: Beyond Every Limit
The 2026 awards carry the theme Beyond Every Limit, reflecting the spirit of athletes who push the boundaries of performance year after year. Dr Hing Siong Chen, Chairman of the Organising Committee, noted that the finalists represent “the courage to overcome challenges, pursue excellence and inspire others.”
Results are tabulated by independent auditing firm KPMG and will remain confidential until the awards night. In addition to the 12 main award categories, Meritorious Awards will be presented for outstanding individual and team performances — with coaches recognised through this category for the first time.
The Singapore Sports Awards 2026 ceremony takes place on Friday, 3 July 2026. Keep up with all the build-up and reaction on the Little Big Red Dot Sports section.
