Two years ago, the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games wasn’t even a consideration for Tey Yi Jun. In fact, competitive sport had taken a backseat in his life, a chapter he thought he had closed after his school swimming days. But a split-second decision to click on an Instagram ad would change everything. Now, in a remarkable twist of fate, the 23-year-old national triathlete and sports science undergraduate is chasing gold this December.
“To say life has been a whirlwind is an understatement,” Tey said. “But I’m loving every moment of it.”
Born in Singapore but raised in Suzhou, China, Tey was inspired by his grandfather, who always made time for exercise and brought him out to play sports when he was younger. Still, nothing felt serious until age 12, when he joined the school swim team as most of his friends were doing it.
What began casually turned into years of dedicated training. Tey was in the pool seven times a week during school terms and up to 12 times weekly during holidays, competing in numerous meets. Eventually however, he stepped away from swimming to focus on academics and with that, sport faded into the background.
Tey only returned to Singapore to serve National Service and it wasn’t until his time in Officer Cadet School that the competitive spark reignited. “I saw my platoon mates signing up for mass runs, so on a whim I joined them and signed up for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon,” he recalled. “I’d never done a running race before and I bonked pretty hard, but I loved the experience.”
Then came March 2023 and the fateful Instagram ad for the MetaSprint Triathlon that popped up on his phone. “I thought, why not?” Tey recalled. He proceeded to sign up for the race and “went in with no expectations, just as a regular age-grouper”. Somehow, he finished fifth overall and second in his age group.
That race caught the attention of Triathlon Singapore, who reached out to invite him into their talent ID programme. He began training with the TRIBAL squad under coach Chew Yi Heng, who helped him build a foundation in the sport.
Just four months later, Tey found himself on the start line of the National Triathlon Championships at the Singapore International Triathlon. “I showed up in a S$70 Arena trisuit while everyone else looked like seasoned pros in their national suits,” he laughed. “But I ended up finishing second overall and that really made me want to pursue this seriously.”
“This is what I want to do. My motivation is at an all-time high.”
From that moment, the doors began to open. He earned his own red national trisuit and competed in his first major overseas race at the Asia Triathlon Cup in Kota Kinabalu in 2023. Since then, it’s been a blur of races, including the FISU World University Championships, the Asia Cup in Putrajaya and Subic Bay, the U23 Asian Championships in Saudi Arabia, and local multisport events in 2024 – all to gain experience and sharpen his edge.
This year, Tey’s sights are firmly set on the SEA Games. “It feels very within reach and I’m aiming for gold,” he said.
He credits the SPEX Scholarship from Sport Singapore for helping him manage the demands of training and university life, though the sacrifices have been plenty. “I’ve had to give up school activities, social time, and even internships that could help with my future career,” he shared. “There are times I doubt myself, especially when I’m tired or I see my peers advancing in their professional lives.”
But despite the challenges, his conviction has only grown stronger. “This is what I want to do. My motivation is at an all-time high,” he says. “SEA Games first, then Asian Games and maybe one day, the Olympics. Thailand, wait for me.”
From stumbling upon a local race ad to representing Singapore on the international stage, Tey’s story is a powerful reminder that when opportunity meets courage, the most unexpected dreams can come to life.
*This article was originally produced by Triathlon Singapore.
