The Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) congratulates Jason Tan on winning the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) Meritorious Award (Individual Junior). The announcement was made on 5 May 2009 after the SNOC selection panel comprising top sports officials met.
Jason, who serves as an excellent role model to the other members of the national squad, certainly deserves the award which is in recognition of his taekwondo achievements.
He is a product of the STF youth development programme and has never failed to finish among the medalists in most of the local and international tournaments he participated.
As a 9-year old player, he won his first national championships in 1999 and went on to win the national crown every year. Last year, as an 17-year old player, he won his 10th national title – a record which is hard to emulate, let alone beat. On top of his sterling performance at every national championships, he captured many titles including the SPEX 21 Youth Taekwondo Championships.
On the international scene, Jason won a bronze medal in the 11th Asian Cities Gold Cup held in March 2007 in Hongkong carrying Singapore flag for the first time. In the competition, he lost to the eventual champion in a close fight. In April the same year, he won 1 silver and 3 bronze medals at the 8th Asean Taekwondo Championships in Vietnam.
In February 2008, Jason was back in Hongkong for the 12th Asian Cities Gold Cup. He clinched the coveted gold medal after putting by the wayside established players from China, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong.
Besides competing, Jason also contributed to the promotion of taekwondo by being a key member in the National Demonstration Team. The team gave an average of 12 performances a year.
Considering his discipline, development and passion, the STF sent him to Taiwan a two-month training stint with some of the best players in the World. He returned on 11 April 2009 richer in experience and better prepared for his next international assignment.
Said Jason: “I am delighted to receive the award. It is my good fortune that I have the support of my parents, the STF, my national coach and my club, ACME Taekwondo. I owe all of them a debt of gratitude.”