Hard Tackle

ST Sports Talk Ep 138 (Pt 2): Yip Pin Xiu on Olympics and Paralympics prize money disparity debate in Singapore 

9:35 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

Swimmer Yip Pin Xiu won her second gold of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, cruising to victory in the S2 50m backstroke final on Sept 2. With the victory, Yip, 29, has retained the two titles she won at Rio 2016, having also won the S2 100m backstroke the week before.

Yip also holds the world records in both events, which she achieved at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong took to social media to congratulate her, hailing her as an amazing athlete and person.

He wrote: “5 Gold Medals on the most competitive of international arenas. There are 13 years between her Gold medals. To be at the top of her game, consistently, 13 years apart, shows us just how special she is, as an athlete, in any sport and on any platform."

ST Sports' Sazali Abdul Aziz and Rohit Brijnath host Yip and her coach Mark Chay in this wide-ranging podcast - the second of two parts - covering the inevitable prize money debate for gold wins in the Olympics and Paralympics.

In Part 2, they cover the following points:

1. Yip's views on the resurrected social media debate about inequality in prize money to reward gold-winning Olympians and Paralympians in Singapore (0:45)
2. Why the situation in Singapore is different for example, than it is in Australia, which recently announced that its Paralympians will get the same cash bonuses as their able-bodied counterparts (1:50)
3. Chay says blame should not be aimed solely at the Government as there are various ways for public and corporate spheres to step in to close up monetary reward disparity (3:00)
4. Yip addresses common views about the Paralympics being less competitive, and says Paralympic athletes put in as much as able-bodied counterparts into their sport, dedication and excellence (5:30)
5. Yip's future plans, including opening a swim school and contributing back to the Singapore sports community (8:02)

Listen to Pt 1: Yip Pin Xiu on staying at the top as a Paralympic gold-medal champion: ST Sports Talk Ep 137: https://omny.fm/shows/gameoftwohalves-1/yip-pin-xiu-on-staying-at-the-top-as-a-paralympic

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]), Rohit Brijnath ([email protected]), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Penelope Lee

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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ST Sports Talk Ep 137 (Pt 1): Yip Pin Xiu on staying at the top as a Paralympic gold-medal champion 

21:25 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

Swimmer Yip Pin Xiu won her second gold of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, cruising to victory in the S2 50m backstroke final on Sept 2. With the victory, Yip, 29, has retained the two titles she won at Rio 2016, having also won the S2 100m backstroke the week before.

Yip also holds the world records in both events, which she achieved at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong took to social media to congratulate her, hailing her as an amazing athlete and person.

He wrote: “5 Gold Medals on the most competitive of international arenas. There are 13 years between her Gold medals. To be at the top of her game, consistently, 13 years apart, shows us just how special she is, as an athlete, in any sport and on any platform."

ST Sports' Sazali Abdul Aziz and Rohit Brijnath host Yip and her coach Mark Chay in this wide-ranging podcast - the first of two parts - covering her experiences, emotions, fiery self-belief, views on the para-sports scene in Singapore and the inevitable prize money debate for gold wins in the Olympics and Paralympics.

In Part 1, they cover the following points:

1. How Yip's two gold medals at the Tokyo Games were different from previous Paralympic wins and also, special (1:45)
2. Chay's perspective as a coach training a Paralympian for the first time, and how Tokyo 2020 had the form book and previous success formulas discarded (4:13)
3. Yip describes each race and breaks down her mental and emotional challenges (8:52)
4. Why the Paralympics are important to Singapore and why people should watch and support it (11:08)
5. How has the local scene for para sports grown, and where it can improve in (14:32)

Listen to Pt 2: Yip Pin Xiu on Olympics and Paralympics prize money disparity debate in Singapore: https://omny.fm/shows/gameoftwohalves-1/yip-pin-xiu-on-olympics-and-paralympics-prize-mone

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]), Rohit Brijnath ([email protected]), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Penelope Lee

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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ST Sports Talk Ep 136: MCCY's Edwin Tong on Joseph Schooling, fairweather sports fans, athlete accountability

16:20 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

Team Singapore has returned home from the Tokyo Olympics empty-handed but Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong insisted that there were "a lot of positives". These included the record 12 sports that Singapore is represented in at these Games by 23 athletes - 17 of whom are debutants - as well as some individual performances that Mr Tong said "stood out".

In this episode, assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz meet discuss with Mr Tong, the following:

1. What Mr Tong said to Joseph Schooling after his swimming setbacks (0:42)
2. On fairweather fan reaction when Singapore sports stars fail, and if athletes should also be accountable for performances (2:30)
3. On why a detailed, honest and critical look is needed for what worked and what did not work for Team SG at Tokyo (4:15)
4. On his reaction to online forum threads about Schooling's performance arc (8:06)
5. Athletes' mental health is key, even for Team SG athletes and the role of the Singapore Sport Institute and National Youth Sports Institute (9:28)

Produced by: Rohit Brijnath ([email protected]), Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) & ST Video team

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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ST Sports Talk Ep 135: Road to the Olympics: The Joseph Schooling interview

18:55 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

After winning gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, life for swimmer Joseph Schooling is now a grind of sweat and purpose with a break only for Netflix and a rare 9 holes of golf. He shares the lessons he has learnt since then and his preparations for the Tokyo Games.

In this episode, assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz speak with Singapore's Olympic champion Joseph Schooling. 

1. Joseph Schooling’s gold dreams, lockdown lifestyle, and day-to-day routines (1:00)
2. How is it being in the United States' sporting atmosphere (6:17)
3. Lessons learnt after winning gold at the 2016 Olympics (7:28)
4. Realities of serving National Service, managing expectations and goals for the next Olympics (12:20)
5. How a muted audience at the Tokyo Olympics might affect his performance (16:39)

Produced by: Rohit Brijnath ([email protected]), Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]), & ST Video team

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Fa'izah Sani

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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ST Sports Talk Ep 134: What is next for Lions after Middle East disappointment?

21:47 mins

Synopsis: ST Sports Talk is The Straits Times' monthly sports podcast.

In this episode, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan invite former professional player and coach Shasi Kumar - who commentated on all three of Singapore’s World Cup qualifying matches in Saudi Arabia June - to discuss why the national football team crumbled in the Middle East and what the Lions can do to rediscover the verve that made them a joy to watch not too long ago.

They discuss:

1. Pandemic or league standard to blame for fitness levels? (3:42)
2. Are criticisms of Tatsuma Yoshida’s squad selection valid? (6:56)
3. How to forge leadership in the team? (12:37)
4. Is Yoshida still the right man to lead the Lions? (16:44)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]), Deepanraj Ganesan ([email protected]) and Aleemah Basirah

Edited by: Aleemah Basirah 

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected] 

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read Sazali's stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Read Deepan Ganesan's stories: https://str.sg/3Z69

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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ST Sports Talk Ep 133: More teenage footballers in Singapore Premier League - good or bad?

19:47 mins

Synopsis: ST Sports Talk is The Straits Times' monthly sports podcast.

In this episode, sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan hosts Young Lions head coach Philippe Aw and former youth coach Khairul Asyraf to talk about the emergence of 15-17 year-old footballers in the Singapore Premier League.

Aw and Khairul discuss if this trend will benefit Singapore football or if it's a sign of trouble.

They discuss the following:

1. How some of these teenage footballers are assessed to be ready for professional football (1:18)
2. Is the emergence of a 15-year-old in the SPL a sign of the decline in standard of the league (5:55)
3. The benefits of giving young footballers an early debut (10:40)
4. Why this trend may show a fault in the structure of youth development in Singapore football (12:25)

Produced by: Deepan Ganesan ([email protected]) and Sazali Abdul Aziz  

Edited by: Aleemah Basirah 

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected] 

Read Deepan Ganesan's stories: https://str.sg/3Z69

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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ST Sports Talk Ep 132: Are more S’porean parents ready to back their children’s sporting dreams?

24:39 mins

Synopsis: ST Sports Talk is The Straits Times' monthly sports podcast.

In this episode, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports reporter Laura Chia invite Vera Ong and David Chua, who are among a growing group of parents who have gone against the traditional grain and thrown their full support behind their childrens’ pursuit of elite-level sport.

Ms Ong is the mother of 19-year-old tennis player Ethan Lye, who has largely been based abroad since 2012 honing his skills, while Mr Chua is the father of 25-year-old national badminton player Grace, who has represented Singapore at three SEA Games and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018.

They discuss:

1. Why they decided to go all in, and whether they had doubts (1:20)
2. Challenges as a parent taking this path (7:08)
3. Have critics told them they’ve made the wrong decision? (14:56)
4. How have their respective decisions affected them and their kids? (19:58)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]), Laura Chia ([email protected]) and Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected] 

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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ST Sports Talk Ep 131: Will Liverpool or Man United offer a stiffer challenge to City next season?

22:59 mins

Synopsis: ST Sports Talk is The Straits Times' monthly sports podcast.

In this episode, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz discusses with EMTM Video features editor Jonathan Roberts - a Liverpool fan - and ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan - a Manchester United supporter - about what they learnt from the Premier League season just passed, and what we can expect on Aug 14 later this year, when the new season kicks off.

They discuss:

1. Were injuries the only reason for Liverpool’s poor season? (1:48)
2. Are Man United really moving in the right direction? (5:55)
3. Could Harry Kane pitch up at Old Trafford? (12:27)
4. Their picks for best performer, goal and moment (14:52)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) and Penelope Lee

Edited by: Aleemah Basirah

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

Discover BT Podcasts:  http://bt.sg/podcasts

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ST Sports Talk Ep 130: Ex-Malaysia Cup star Abbas Saad reflects on rollercoaster football journey

7:22 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, sports correspondent David Lee talks to Singapore's former Malaysia Cup star Abbas Saad, who is in town to undergo the Asian Football Confederation Pro Licence course.

Abbas talks about how he was affected by the sensational match-fixing case in which he was convicted and received a lifetime ban from football-related activities in Singapore, which was later rescinded. He also shares who he thinks are the current Singapore players that could have made it to his 1994 M-League and Malaysia Cup-winning Lions team.

They discuss:

1. Abbas' best memories of his Malaysia Cup adventures with Singapore  (0:50)
2. How he felt after receiving the ban (1:55)
3. The meeting with fugitive and former Lions team-mate Michal Vana, a key figure in the match-fixing case (3:39)
4. Players in the Singapore Premier League who excite him (5:28)
5. His message to local footballers and fans (6:08)

Produced by: David Lee ([email protected]) & ST Video team

Edited by: Aleemah Basirah

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow David Lee on Twitter: https://str.sg/JvnQ

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jvnm

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts:  http://bt.sg/podcasts

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ST Sports Talk Ep 129: Adriano Moraes on his journey from street fighter to MMA champion

8:38 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz talks to One Championship’s flyweight world champion Adriano Moraes, on the back of his highlight-reel knockout of distinguished mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Demetrious Johnson at the One on TNT 1 event.

Moraes talks about how he nearly became drawn into a life of crime as a youth, after being abandoned as a newborn baby in an alley on the streets of Brasilia. He also details how discovering jiujitsu helped him toward a brighter future.

They discuss:

1. A difficult early life, and how jiujitsu saved Moraes (1:51)
2. Giving back to the community in Brasilia (4:40) 
3. What’s next for Moraes? (6:26) 

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Aleemah Basirah

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

#PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts:  http://bt.sg/podcasts

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.