Tan Howe Liang wins Singapore’s first Olympic medal

On 8 September 1960, Tan Howe Liang became Singapore's first Olympic medalist when he finished second among 35 competitors in the lightweight category in weightlifting at the 1960 games held in Rome, Italy.^[1] In the course of over 10 hours of gruelling contest, Tan lifted a total of 380 kg and earned himself the silver medal, as well as a new Olympic record achieved for the clean and jerk by lifting 155 kg.^[2] He was outdone only by Victor Bushuev of Russia, who lifted a total of 397.85 kg to clinch the gold medal.^[3]

Tan's victory was not without struggle as the judges deemed three of his lifts – two attempts in the press and one in the snatch – to be faulty.^[4] Then, Tan suffered a cramp in both thighs before his attempt at the clean and jerk, and was advised by the medical personnel who attended to him to take a complete rest.^[5] However, in a miraculous turn of events, the cramp in his legs eased half an hour prior to his turn. Tan went on to lift 155 kg in the clean and jerk, which broke the existing Olympic record by 5 kg. This feat brought his total weight lifted to 380 kg, garnering him the silver medal in the process.^[6]

For his Olympic feat that boosted the international sporting profile of Singapore, Tan received the Meritorious Service Medal at the National Day Awards in 1962.^[7]

References
1. Joshua, S. (1960, September 15). The ‘miracle’ in Rome. The Straits Times, p. 13. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
2. Aplin, N., Waters, D., & Leong, M. L. (2005). Singapore olympians: The complete who's who, 1936–2004. (p. 233). Singapore: SNP International Publishing. Call no.: RSING 796.09225957 APL.
3. Hero Tan roars through to a silver. (1960, September 9). The Singapore Free Press, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
4. The Straits Times, 15 Sep 1960, p. 13.
5. The Straits Times, 15 Sep 1960, p. 13.
6. The Straits Times, 15 Sep 1960, p. 13.
7. National Day honours. (1962, June 3). The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.