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It was a jubilant return for APU’s own Tammy Tan Hui Ling, who was crowned as the first-ever Malaysian gold medallist at the World University Games (Universiade) women’s qiangshu (spear) event in Chengdu, China, when she returned home to a rousing welcome from her university peers and faculty.
Tammy scored an outstanding 9.613 points for the gold (watch the video here), while Macau’s Weng Ian Wong took the silver medal with 9.593 points, and Lydia Sham Hui Yu from Hong Kong settled for the bronze with 9.583 points.
Tammy Tan Hui Ling, the first-ever Malaysian gold medallist at the World University Games (Universiade) women’s qiangshu (spear) event in Chengdu, China, showing her gold medal after the award ceremony held in Chengbei Gymnasium, on 30th July. (Photo credit to Institute of Higher Learning’s (IPT) sports segment)
Tammy, a final-year Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Actuarial Studies degree student, beamed in surprise when she saw the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) welcoming team, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Ho Chin Kuan, cheering for her upon her return at the airport arrival hall on the Saturday morning of August 5th.
Joining the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), APU’s welcoming team of nine, consisting of senior university leadership, leaders of APU’s Student Representative Council (SRC), student ambassadors, and student affairs staff, had managed to come together and brighten Tammy’s spirits after the long flight home.
“I didn’t expect so many of you to be here,” said Tammy Tan as walked out of the airport with the first gold for her homeland from the Universiade, Chengdu, China, surprised by the APU welcoming team as well as dignitaries from MOHE, the Wushu Federation of Malaysia, IPT Sports Councils, Institutions of Higher Education, fans, and journalists. (Photo credit to Institute of Higher Learning’s (IPT) sports segment)
Present at the airport to welcome Tammy together with the APU team were MOHE Deputy Secretary-general (policy) Dato’ Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian; Division Secretary of Strategic Planning Division Puan Fazidah Mustafa; and the President of Wushu Federation Malaysia Dato’ Chong Kim Fatt.
Sharing the joy of winning the first Universiade gold for the country since Malaysia started participating in the 1985 edition in Kobe, Japan, Tammy, who had just turned 22 three days before the game, admitted that she didn’t anticipate winning the gold medal.
“When the results were announced, I found it quite unbelievable,” she recalled the moment she stood at Chengbei Gymnasium, the venue where the Wushu event was held while the Malaysian contingent participated in the Universiade from July 28th to August 8th.
APU welcoming team led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Ho Chin Kuan (3rd from left), receiving Tammy Tan (2nd from left) upon her return at the airport arrival hall on the Saturday morning of August 5th, with Mr. Illangovan Thirumal, Sports Executive on the left. From right are - Chu Kwan Yeu Jovi James, Imaan Rojad, Khaled Abaissi, Nor Aien Hassim and Abbirami Aravindan. (Photo credit to Institute of Higher Learning’s (IPT) sports segment).
"I feel really happy to have won this gold medal and to bring this honour to Malaysia. I am genuinely delighted to consider this medal as the best gift for everyone who has supported us all along,” enthused Tammy, as she was humbled by the realisation that her achievement was the result of the support of all parties involved.
“I genuinely believe this isn't solely my effort. We've consistently received a lot of support and assistance from the Malaysian Martial Arts Association, MOHE, National Sports Council, the National Sports Institute, and APU,” said Tammy. As national athletes studying at APU, Tammy and her sportsmates received strong support from APU in the form of a Sports Scholarship as well as continuous facilitation to enable the team to participate in their training sessions.
“Well done!” Prof. Dr. Ho Chin Kuan (left) applauds Tammy’s efforts in striving to always do her very best in whatever she does.
Tammy Tan and the Wushu contingent for the World University Game were welcomed home by (L-R) Prof. Dr.Ho Chin Kuan, Dato’ Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian, Dato’ Chong Kim Fatt and Puan Fazidah Mustafa. (Photo credit to Institute of Higher Learning’s (IPT) sports segment)
Tammy, who has just completed her Year 3 courses in actuarial studies and is looking forward to her official graduation ceremony, acknowledged the strong focus on professional development at APU that emphasises a relentless pursuit of excellence at the university, which was among the factors that influenced her to strive for her best in both sports and academics.
Applauding Tammy’s efforts in striving to always do her very best in whatever she does, Prof. Dr. Ho, giving the VC’s affirmation, said, “We are proud of you for representing us on the global stage, Tammy. Congratulations on making Malaysia proud. Well done!”
When asked about her feelings upon walking out of the airport and seeing the APU welcoming team, Tammy admitted, “I didn’t expect so many of you to come here. Thank you very much to all of you for making a point to come over.”
Tammy believes that the best part of her university life is the constant availability of various activities to participate in. “Sometimes, it involves not only people from the university itself but also unfamiliar faces coming together. This brings about a unique experience and way of life at the university,” said the soon-to-be graduate who is thinking of pursuing a more advanced course in her studies.