Terry Tay, brought home a team title in the SEA Games this year. This is also the first ever medal for the Men’s Gymnastic Team. While he spends most of his time juggling school work in Nanyang Polytechnic, Terry is the first athlete from South-east Asia to have a skill named after him in the FIG Code of Points. During the 44th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Belgium, held in September 2013, the move was performed and accepted into the FIG Code of Points.
In the spirit of #SG50, we speak to Terry and find out more about his life, his love for bubble tea and his wicked sense of humor.
What are the things that you currently do in your training that is key to your success?
One of the things would be constant review. Gymnastics is a very dynamic sport that consist of a lot of tumbling, and explosive movements that are shot and fast. During the training, videos are taken and we take time off to review our movements with the coaches after the training. Next, would be visualizing. I feel it gives me the confidence to perform before I go up an apparatus. Allows me to have a rough gauge of how I feel on that day.
What do you think is your personal achievement, aside from having a SEA Games medal and having your own move accepted into the FIG?
After training for 15 years of my life, I think my personal achievement would be seeing how far I’ve come. Other than the tangible achievements like medals, the greatest satisfaction is to see how much the I’ve grown over the years in most aspect of my life.
How do you set your goals?
There are long term goals, so this would consist of what I would want to achieve in the big picture. For example, if I want to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, would be long-term goals I’ve set for myself 2-3 years ago. Short term goals would be the recent Asian Championship, and other smaller competition to gain experience to get stronger and improve my routines.
What is your biggest challenge/difficulty so far?
I think it is how we stay motivated at times. We do get tired, and I am a full-time student at the moment. As we are not paid, most of us are driven solely by the passion for the sports. We do get medical subsidies and when we travel and represent Singapore. But if we are talking about basic allowance, I am funded by my parents as I am still studying. This may not be the most conducive environment for a local athlete. I feel really blessed that I am able to do what I love.
What is your diet like?
I strongly believe in moderation. I do consume a wide variety of junk food, but I do balance it out with exercise to burn it off.
What is your favorite apparatus?
My build and body type would suit the floor exercise and vault, but I do like the rings the most and it requires raw brute strength.
How do you deal with the increased attention after the SEA Games?
I think it is important to remember where you started, and I am in this not for the money or the fame. Goals and primary focus must always be kept in mind and reviewed. That allows me to stay grounded and humble.
What are the 3 qualities you look for in your dream girl?
Hmmmm, I think humility, passion in what they do and the person must have an open mind for communications.
BONUS QUESTIONS – 5 FUN TERRY FACTS!
1) I don’t drink Coca-Cola. (Simply don’t like it)
2) I love junk food! Especially Bubble Tea.
3) I’m an avid cap collector. (1 from every country I’ve visited)
4) Standing at 175, I’m the tallest in the gymnastic team.
5) I have a gymnastic move named after me, and it is called “Tays”
The Metropolitant Team thanks Terry for taking time off his busy schedule to meet us!
From all of us here at Metropolitant.com, we will always be #TeamTerry
Photo credits: Terry Tay, Peishan Hoe and Haruhiko Otsuka
Terry Tay is a gymnast with Singapore Gymnastics training with the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) team. Artistic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics where gymnasts perform short routines (ranging from approximately 30 to 90 seconds) on different apparatus. It comprises of both Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)and Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG).
For more information, please visit www.singaporegymnastics.org.sg