30 June 2008

NUS women dragon boaters win PM Challenge

VICTOROUS: The NUS Women Dragon Boat team with the Prime Minister Challenge Trophy (Women).

The NUS women dragon boaters successfully defended the Prime Minister Challenge Trophy (Women) at the Singapore Dragon Boat Festival 2008 held at Bedok Reservoir (29 June). They dominated the 1,000 metre race from the start till finish, leaving their closest rival more than a dragon boat length behind.

The Challenge Trophy is an annual dragon boat race among the local universities fashioned after the Oxford-Cambridge Rowing Race in England. NUS finished second in the men's race.

TOTAL DOMINANCE: The NUS women dragon boaters left their closest rival more than a dragon boat length behind.

Women's Team Captain Qiu Liming, a third-year medical undergraduate, received the Trophy from Guest-of-Honour Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Law & Second Minister for Home Affairs.

RALLYING CRY: Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, Senior Deputy President, and Assoc Prof Tan Teck Koon, Dean of Student cheering the team on.

"I am very proud of the team, we have all trained very hard for the race. We want to thank all our supporters and also to our coach Mr Nasiman. We placed a lot of trust in our coach who has drilled us well in our paddling technique, giving us an edge over our competitors," said Liming.

In other categories, the Women's team came in first in the Tertiary Open, while the Men's team finished third in the Tertiary Open, as well as in the National Championship. NUS also finished second in the Tertiary Open (Mixed).