Asian Games medalist Constance Lien clinched the Southeast Asian Games gold in jiu-jitsu after beating Nguyen Ngoc Tu by submission in the finals of the women’s Under-62kg category on Tuesday.
Noah Lim also struck gold in the sport for Singapore, a day before.
Lien, 20, told the Straits Times: “I wasn’t really thinking during my bout. Knew I had to go get work done, execute everything I’ve trained for.
“This time my training camp was very tough but I’m so thankful that my family, friends, teammates, my association and coaches at Evolve really helped me through it.
“This is my final goal of the year after the worlds and winning the gold really means a lot to me.”
Lim beat Thailand’s Suwijak Kuntong by submission in the less 62kg ne-waza category for his gold medal.
In May, Lien clinched a gold in the women’s blue belt featherweight (under 58.5kg) category at the World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championships in California.
Evolve mixed martial arts instructor and Singapore coach Joao Teco Shinzato said: “I truly believe she has the potential to be a black belt world champion some day.
“She has a lot to be proud of and I believe she will lead the charge and take jiu-jitsu to new levels for women in the sport in Asia.”
Jiu-jitsu, kurash and sambo made their debut in this year’s SEA Games.
In a Facebook post, the jiu-jitsu team manager May Ooi credited the team for their medal haul.
“JJAS (Jiu-Jitsu Association of Singapore) is not even an NSA yet. And we have ZERO funding. Ziltch. Nada. Kosong.”
See full post here.
Photos: SNOC & SPORT SINGAPORE