Joseph Schooling might be Singapore’s first Olympics gold medalist, but there’s one man who should be remembered—Mr Tan Howe Liang, Singapore’s very first Olympics medalist.
He clinched a silver medal for Singapore in the 1960 Rome games in weightlifting and was the first man to put Singapore on the global sports scene by winning a medal in every major international sports competition.
Here are 10 little-known facts about him we should remember.
It all started at the World Amusement Park
His interest in weightlifting started when he saw his first weightlifting competition when passing by. He was interested in the sport and, after a year of training, became the champion for the national junior and senior lightweight category.
He made a promise to be the strongest man in the world
His father died when he was 14 in a Sago Lane deathouse, and he made a vow to his dying father that he will become “the strongest man in the world”.
He had to work two jobs to finance himself through the training
Born in 1933 in China, he emigrated to Singapore with his family when he was four years old. He left school after secondary one and worked as a mechanic and a clerk at Cathay Organisation to put himself through the training.
He set a World Record in 1958
In the 1958 6th British Empire and Commonwealth Games (now known as Commonwealth Games), Mr Tan set a world record by lifting 347 and a half lb (157.5kg) in the jerk for the lightweight category.
He blacked out and was advised to retire at the 1956 Olympics Games
In the 1956 Summer Olympics, he blacked out when he attempted to lift 241.75 lbs in the press. He was advised by doctors to retire from the games but he ignored their advice and continued. He managed to earn the 9th place with 220.75 lbs and 314 lbs for the snatch and clean & jerk respectively.
He managed to earn the 9th place with 220.75 lbs and 314 lbs for the snatch and clean & jerk respectively.
The miracle that took place in the 1960 Rome Olympics Games
The same situation occurred during the Olympics Games in Rome in 1960. He told his coach one and a half hours before his turn to lift that “his legs hurt”. He was helped to the rest room where his coach, Mr Chua Tian Teck, consulted with two American weightlifters, two doctors and a nurse. They were advised to bring him back to the Olympics village for treatment.
He refused and started praying. Half an hour before his turn, he felt his cramps leaving and staggered onto the stage for his lifts.
He failed his first lift of 331 lbs (150kg) but bulldozed his way to a silver medal by lifting 342 and a half lbs (155kg).
He set a new Olympics Record during the Olympics
By lifting 155kg, he broke the existing Olympics record by 5kg. He went on to attempt 347.5lbs (157.5kg) despite his coach’s advice but failed in the attempt. Despite that, the crowds at the stadium were all cheering for him.
His performance at the 1960 Olympics wasn’t his best
According to a newspaper report back in 1960, he set an unofficial world record of 890lbs totalled at an exhibition at the New World Park. At the Olympics trial, he lifted 860lbs while at his Rome performance, his aggregate was at 837.75lb.
He won a medal at every major international sports competition
Besides winning a silver medal at the Olympics Games, Mr Tan Howe Liang has won gold medals at the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, the 1958 and 1962 Commonwealth Games and the 1959 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games (now known as the SEA games).
The first athlete to be awarded a Gold Award by the International Weightlifting Federation and more
In 1984, he was the first weightlifter in the entire world to be awarded the International Weightlifting Federation (national honour) Gold Award. He was also the only athlete to be bestowed the Meritorious Service Medal at the National Day awards.
Featured Image: marinabaysands.com
This article was first published on goodyfeed.com
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