Cover Para‑shooter Chan Han Siong at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou last year
Para‑shooter Chan Han Siong at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou last year
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Three Singapore Paralympians heading to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which takes place from August 28 to September 8, share how overcoming the mental barrier is the biggest challenge in their respective journeys to the pinnacle of sports
You can say that Chan Han Siong came on the shooting para sport scene like a bolt from the blue. It was at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou last year that the para‑shooter won the quota placing for Singapore to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. “It was my first major competition,” Chan recalls. “And knowing how strong the [competition is at] the Asian level, my coach and I went into the competition without any expectations. So this came as a huge surprise, as the Paralympics is a dream goal for every para‑athlete.”
For Chan, who competes in the men’s 10‑metre air pistol category, Hangzhou was particularly memorable for one other reason: “One week before the competition, my weapon started malfunctioning, but we managed to save it,” he shares. “And during the practice session, my scores weren’t ideal. But I somehow managed to hit a new personal best [and a national record] at the competition with a score of 565. It made me relook how I manage my [own] expectations and have more trust in my ability.”
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Above Chan will make his Paralympic debut in Paris later this month
Chan will make his Paralympic debut in Paris later this month
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The goal that Chan and his coach set for his first Paralympics “is to reach the finals in the top eight—and if there’s a podium finish, that’ll be a huge bonus”, he says. “For shooting, when you reach a certain level, almost everyone has the same skill sets, so it all comes down to mental strength. Whoever can maintain their composure and not think so much will usually shoot well.”
When it comes to managing the mind, it is perhaps interesting to note that Chan has a bachelor’s degree in the game of Go, an ancient Chinese board game known as Weiqi. He is also the co‑founder of The Go Academy as well as a coach there. So has his training in Go helped him in shooting? “Many people ask me this question, but there are more differences than similarities,” he says. “In Go, you’re supposed to think a few steps—or rather, many steps—at a time, but for shooting, that isn’t necessarily good. If you think too much, you forget about the process and won’t be able to shoot well.”
An accident at birth affected the nerves in Chan’s left hand, a condition known as obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. “I can only raise my left hand halfway up, and I can’t reach certain angles or do push‑ups and pull‑ups. However, I’m quite fortunate because for shooting, at least for the air pistol category, you have to shoot with one hand. So I shoot with my right hand,” he explains. “This is actually the same as the able‑bodied athletes and because of this, I have more opportunities to shoot; in both [the mainstream and para‑sport competitions].”
Chan was first introduced to shooting during his national service, but stopped when he went overseas for his studies. His interest in the sport was later rekindled after watching swimmer Joseph Schooling’s gold medal win at the Rio 2016 Olympics. “Sport has the ability to let people with disabilities focus on things that we can do, instead of what we can’t. I’d say that sport has given us hope and a new meaning in life,” shares Chan.
“I hope more people can tune in to the Paralympic Games. Give us a chance to show that we can also be as inspiring as able‑bodied athletes”. His biggest goal is to represent Singapore in the Olympics. “That was my goal when I first joined competitive shooting,” he says, “and it’s something that I’m constantly working towards.
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Credits
Images: Hangzhou Asian Para Games (Chan in Competition);
As Senior Editor of Tatler Singapore, Hashirin champions and refines the storytelling across platforms—curating and crafting compelling profiles, cover stories and features that spotlight visionaries shaping culture, business and impact. Driven by curiosity, she draws inspiration from the artists, changemakers and trailblazers she encounters through her work. Beyond the pages of Tatler, she is an avid supporter of local theatre and delights in seeking out art in every city she visits.
