She’s Singapore’s First-ever Jiu-Jitsu Medal Winner
by Murugesh K Verlachamy

The crowd cheers your name and it fills you with immense pride as you step up onto the podium. You’ve done your country proud and bagged Singapore’s first ever silver medal in Jiu-Jitsu at the Asian Games, something most of us can only ever dream of.

Say hello to Constance Lien, TP’s final-year student from the Diploma in Early Childhood Studies, who has lived this dream.

Fresh from her recent 2019 Asian Games medal-winning exploits in Indonesia, she shared how her love for the martial arts of Jiu-Jitsu came about, and the grit and determination it took for her to excel in this prestigious regional competition.

“From age 5 to 16, I swam competitively at the Singapore Sports School. However, after I graduated, I felt trapped in the sport and needed a break from swimming," said Constance

“I was looking for something I could be passionate about again and decided to follow up on my fascination with martial arts.”

A Google search resulted in her discovery of Evolve MMA, Singapore's biggest martial arts gym. After initially signing up for Muay Thai classes, Constance eventually switched to Jiu-Jitsu to join her friends.

As fate would have it, she was a natural fit for the sport.

 
“I just loved how confident and unique Jiu-Jitsu made me feel and I eventually decided to sign up for two tournaments in which I clinched gold.” 

These achievements made Constance realise that Jiu-Jitsu was a sport she was passionate about and wanted to pursue competitively.

Trials to represent Singapore for Jiu-Jitsu at the Asian Games would soon follow and her natural flair for the sport would once again shine through as she secured a spot on the final team roster.

Her sacrifices, which included intense training sessions leading up to the Games, were rewarded when she clinched the coveted silver medal.

“I never thought I would win a medal as I was up against far more experienced competitors. But I I just told myself, I worked hard for this and I should just give it my best shot.”

So what’s next for TP’s Jiu-Jitsu warrior?

“I’m looking to compete in the World Championships in Los Angeles next year because my long-term goal is to become a world champion.”

With a budding reputation in the sport, we’re pretty sure this won’t be her last podium finish!