Singapore’s highest sporting honours return on Friday 3 July when the Singapore Sports Awards 2026 ceremony takes place, bringing together the nation’s finest athletes, coaches and sporting contributors to celebrate achievements from a year that saw Team Singapore compete across the world stage. Under the theme Beyond Every Limit, this year’s edition recognises performers who pushed the boundaries of what Singapore sport can achieve.
Organised by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore (SportSG), and supported by Tote Board, the awards cover 12 categories ranging from individual accolades to team honours, coaching recognition and even the country’s most inspiring sports photography. Results — tabulated independently by KPMG — will remain confidential until the ceremony.
Sportsman And Sportswoman Of The Year: The Headline Races
Six men are in contention for the Sportsman of the Year award: sailor Maximilian Maeder, bowler Darren Ong Wei Siong, sprinter Calvin Quek Jun Jie, wushu practitioner Tay Yu Xuan, diver Avvir Tham, and cue sports champion Aloysius Yapp. Maeder, who put Singapore on the world sailing map with his IQ Foil exploits, will be a strong favourite having won global recognition in recent seasons. You can check out the full 2026 Singapore Sports Awards finalists announcement for more detail on each contender.
The Sportswoman of the Year race is even more competitive, featuring eight finalists: canoeist Stephenie Chen Jiexian, swimmer Gan Ching Hwee, fencer Juliet Heng Jie Min, wushu champion Zeanne Law Zhi Ning, bowler New Hui Fen, sprinter Veronica Shanti Pereira, golfer Shannon Tan Xuan Yin, and kickboxer Valencia Yip. Shanti Pereira — a former winner and Singapore’s most decorated sprinter — returns as a perennial candidate, while New Hui Fen’s consistency on the world bowling circuit makes her another serious contender. Marissa Hafezan, who captured Singapore’s first karate gold at a SEA Games in 32 years at the Bangkok Games in December 2025, is not among the finalists but her achievement highlights the exceptional depth in Singapore sport this year.
The junior categories are equally compelling. The Sportsboy of the Year shortlist includes sailor Ethan Chia Han Wei, chess prodigy Siddharth Jagadeesh, and swimmer Russel Pang, while the Sportsgirl of the Year nominees span fencing, gymnastics and swimming — underscoring how Singapore’s pipeline of young talent continues to broaden.
Team Honours, Coaching Awards And A Historic First
Five teams are in contention for the Team of the Year (Team Sport) award: 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. The football squad’s inclusion — following their strong showing at international competition — will resonate with the wider Singapore sporting public.
In team event honours, the bowling women’s team (HKGX IBF World Championships), the fencing women’s foil team (2025 Asian Fencing Championships), the swimming women’s 4×100m medley relay (33rd SEA Games), and the table tennis men’s doubles pairing of Koen Pang and Izaac Quek are among the six nominees competing for Team of the Year (Event).
One of the notable new developments this year is that coaches will be recognised through the Meritorious Awards for the first time — a long-overdue acknowledgement of the support staff who help athletes reach the podium. Eight coaches are in contention for the separate Coach of the Year award, including swimming coach Eugene Chia, who has guided multiple Team Singapore swimmers to international success.
The Competition Sport Event of the Year category spotlights Singapore’s role as a global host: the World Aquatics Championships 2025 and the Toyota World Para Swimming Championships 2025 are both nominated, reflecting the country’s increasing prominence on the international events calendar.
Best Sports Photo: A Window Into Team Singapore’s Year
Five extraordinary images are shortlisted for Best Sports Photo of the Year. Among them: Kelly Wong’s stunning shot of fencer Amita Berthier forming a heart shape with her Philippines opponent using their sabres during the Women’s Foil Team final at the 2025 SEA Games — a moment of sporting camaraderie at its finest. For more Team Singapore sports coverage, visit our sports section ahead of the ceremony on Friday.
The Singapore Sports Awards 2026 ceremony begins on Friday, 3 July 2026. SNOC President Grace Fu chairs the main selection committee, with the results sealed by KPMG until the moment the winners are announced on the night.
