Paris, France – In a thrilling conclusion to the men’s kitefoiling event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Singapore’s Maximilian Maeder claimed a bronze medal on Friday, August 9.
At just 17 years old, Maeder not only marked a significant achievement for himself but also made history as Singapore’s youngest Olympic medallist and the country’s first Olympic medalist in sailing.
At the age of 11, Maximilian began competing in his sport and expressed his dream of becoming a world champion, a goal he accomplished for the first time in 2023, followed by winning his second consecutive title in May.
By the age of 14, he claimed his first of three world youth championship titles and has also secured three European Championship titles, along with a gold medal at the Asian Games in 2023.
Competing at the picturesque Marseille Marina, Maeder’s performance ended an eight-year wait for an Olympic podium finish for Singapore, following swimmer Joseph Schooling’s gold medal triumph in 2016.
Maeder’s bronze adds to Singapore’s Olympic legacy, now totaling six medals across all sports.
The gold medal was clinched by Austria’s Valentin Bontus, who demonstrated exceptional skill throughout the event. Slovenia’s Toni Vodisek took home the silver.
The competition faced delays due to insufficient wind, requiring an additional day of racing to complete the finals. The first race on Friday saw Maeder start strong; however, Bontus quickly gained momentum to take the lead and ultimately won Race 2, giving him two victories and tying him with Vodisek in points.
With only one race win under his belt, Maeder headed into Race 3 in a must-win scenario.
Bontus showcased a strong start again in the final race, with Maeder closely trailing him. The race unfolded as a duel between Bontus and Italian Riccardo Pianosi, with Bontus ultimately pulling ahead to secure the gold medal.
Having defended his kitefoiling world title just months prior, Maeder entered the Paris Games as Singapore’s brightest hope for an Olympic medal. His accomplishment on Singapore’s National Day resonated deeply, grabbing national attention and marking a new era for Singaporean sports.
In the aftermath of his historic race, Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam praised the young athlete, highlighting his maturity and promising future. “Max is mature beyond his years – his teenage smile and traces of puppy fat are deceptive. There is a new wind in Singapore sports,” Mr. Shanmugaratnam remarked.
Maximilian Maeder has a great future. He just won the bronze in the kitefoiling event in Olympics sailing. At 17, he’s the youngest individual sailing medal winner ever in the Olympics.
Max is mature beyond his years – his teenage smile and traces of puppy fat are deceptive.
There is a new wind in Singapore sports.
Just imagine – we had no Olympic medal for almost half a century after Tan Howe Liang’s silver medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Yet from 2008, TeamSG has now brought home three Olympic bronzes (including Max’s), a silver, and Joseph Schooling’s historic gold.
Plus we have others like Loh Kean Yew reaching the quarterfinals in badminton in Paris, Yeo Jia Min almost making it, and kayaker Stephenie Chen reaching the semis. And Shanti topping Asia in the women’s sprints last year.
A generation of young Singaporeans is taking their sports seriously, getting stronger support, and reaching higher.
They all show what we can achieve when we – parents especially – make room for our kids to develop themselves through sports.
Let them find their own game in life, and support the choices they make.
International medals and awards will never come easily. But nothing beats the journey, the friends you make along the way, and the pain and joy of striving to achieve the goals you set for yourself.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank you for our beautiful birthday gift to Singapore!” as celebrations erupted across the nation in honor of Maeder’s remarkable achievement.
Just as we completed our celebrations at the parade, Max Maeder overcame the tough wind conditions and became the youngest Singaporean to win an Olympic medal.
Congratulations Max on the bronze medal in kite foiling! Thank you for your beautiful birthday gift to Singapore!
Wishing Team Singapore all the best in the rest of your sporting events.
Image via AFP
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