Calvin Quek’s historic achievement at the SEA Games 2025, capturing the significance of his performance and its impact on Singapore athletics:

Calvin Quek Ends Six-Decade Gold Drought with Historic 400m Hurdles Victory at SEA Games 2025

In a defining moment for Singapore athletics, Calvin Quek etched his name into sporting history at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok, Thailand, by winning the men’s 400 metres hurdles gold medal  the nation’s first in the event since 1965.

Quek’s achievement not only represented a personal triumph but marked a breakthrough for Singapore’s track and field programme, ending a 60-year wait for gold in one of the region’s most demanding events. (CNA)

A Race 60 Years in the Making

The men’s 400m hurdles is a grueling blend of speed, rhythm and endurance.

Competitors must sprint a lap of the track while clearing 10 evenly spaced hurdles, each 91.4 cm high, demanding perfect timing and stamina.

Historically dominated by regional powerhouses like Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, success in this event has eluded Singapore since the mid-20th century.

Singapore’s last title in this discipline came at the 1965 South East Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games, the precursor to the modern SEA Games. (ActiveSG Circle)

In Bangkok, Quek delivered a performance that was both technically sound and emotionally charged. Clocking 50.27 seconds, he crossed the Suphachalasai National Stadium finish line ahead of Vietnam’s Nguyen Duc Son and Le Quoc Huy to claim gold.

The victory was celebrated by teammates, coaches and supporters alike as a watershed moment for Singaporean athletics. (CNA)

The Road to the Top

Quek’s journey to the top has been a story of persistence and steady improvement.

Born on 26 February 1996 in Singapore, he showed promise as a sprinter and hurdler from his school days.

Early in his career, Quek excelled at national school meets, laying the foundation for his future in elite competition. (Wikipedia)

Progress at the senior level was evident as Quek began rewriting the national record in the 400m hurdles multiple times.

At the 2022 SEA Games in Hanoi, he recorded a national record of 51.19 seconds and earned a bronze medal  Singapore’s first podium finish in the event since 1969.

It was a significant breakthrough, but one that left him hungry for more. (Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus))

In 2023, he continued to improve, running 50.75 seconds at the SEA Games in Phnom Penh to again secure bronze and help raise expectations for future success.

His progression continued through the 2025 season, including record-setting runs in international meets in Kyoto and Yokohama, where he clocked 49.75 seconds, demonstrating that he had the speed and technique required to compete with the best in the region. (Wikipedia)

The 2025 SEA Games: A Defining Performance

Arriving at the SEA Games 2025, Quek carried both personal ambition and the hopes of a nation.

Under the Thai December skies, he navigated the hurdles with precision and composure.

While the competition was fierce, Quek’s strength in the latter stages of the race proved decisive.

Following his triumph, he described the victory as something he had been working toward since 2023.

The year 2024 had been “tough,” he noted, reflecting on injuries, setbacks and the intense training that preceded his historic performance all of which made the gold medal moment even more meaningful. (CNA)

A Broader Impact for Singapore Athletics

Quek’s gold is more than a personal milestone it represents a potential shift in Singapore’s athletics landscape.

Traditionally, the nation has excelled in swimming and table tennis at the SEA Games but has seen limited success in track events beyond sprint and relay medals.

His victory has injected fresh energy into the local athletics community, demonstrating that Singaporean athletes can compete and win in physically demanding and technical disciplines. (The Straits Times)

The win comes amid a broader competitive campaign for Singapore at the Bangkok Games, where athletes across sports have achieved noteworthy results.

Singapore’s swimming team, for instance, continued its dominance with multiple gold medals, while other track and field competitors contributed to the overall medal tally. (CNA)

While Quek’s 400m hurdles gold lit up headlines, he also played a key role in the men’s 4x400m relay team, helping secure a bronze medal for Singapore on the final day of athletics competition.

In that race, Quek ran the anchor leg, launching a dramatic surge to overtake a rival and secure the bronze for his team. (ActiveSG Circle)

Inspiring the Next Generation

The impact of Quek’s success resonates beyond medals and records.

For young Singaporean athletes watching from the stands or tuning in from home, his performance offers a powerful example of perseverance and ambition.

It challenges conventional perceptions of Singapore’s strengths in sport and expands the possibilities for what emerging athletes might achieve.

Athletics officials have highlighted the importance of building on this success, emphasizing development programmes and grassroots engagement to nurture future talents.

With Singapore set to host the SEA Games in 2029, moments like Quek’s gold medal create momentum and excitement around the sport, inspiring both aspiring athletes and the broader public. (ActiveSG Circle)

Looking Ahead

At 29 years old, Quek stands at a pivotal point in his career.

Having conquered regional hurdles, he may now set his sights on larger international stages such as the Asian Games and world athletics events. His performance at the 2025 World Athletics Championships  where he competed against top global hurdlers  points to both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. (Wikipedia)

Regardless of future outcomes, Calvin Quek’s gold medal run in Bangkok will be remembered as a historic moment for Singapore sport  a testament to dedication, resilience and the breaking of barriers that stood for six decades.

It is a triumph that transcends statistics, inspiring a nation and illuminating a path for future champions.