Lessons From Olympic Debutants
Lessons from the Champions - Terry Hee and Jessica Tan
We had an inspiring Q&A session with alumni and recent Olympians, shuttlers Terry Hee and Jessica Tan, at the Lessons from the Champions programme on 15 August 2024. The Mixed Doubles husband-and-wife pair shared their story as professional badminton players and their experience at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
We had an inspiring Q&A session with alumni and recent Olympians, shuttlers Terry Hee and Jessica Tan, at the Lessons from the Champions programme on 15 August 2024. The Mixed Doubles husband-and-wife pair shared their story as professional badminton players and their experience at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
When did you start playing badminton professionally?
Jessica: I was in Sports School’s first through-train post-secondary programme with Auckland University of Technology. Then, I applied to NTU where I got a spot in Exercise Science and Sports programme. However, at that point, I had to decide whether I wanted to study full-time in university or play badminton professionally. So, that was when I made the decision to pursue badminton full-time.
Terry: For me, I was the first batch of student-athletes in the customised Diploma in Business programme jointly offered by Republic Polytechnic. I started playing badminton full time when I was 17 years old.
Terry: For me, I was the first batch of student-athletes in the customised Diploma in Business programme jointly offered by Republic Polytechnic. I started playing badminton full time when I was 17 years old.
What was your World ranking when you first started, and what is you ranking now?
Terry: When we first started, we had no ranking. As you progress and started competing, you collect ranking points and climb up the ranks. Our highest world ranking was number 13. Now we are ranked 17th place.
What was your experience at the 2024 Paris Olympics?
Terry: I think no one can ever prepare for the moment. It is different when you see the Olympic rings there and then. At the Olympics, it is so different from any other tournament, and you can never prepare for that. You need to be there to experience it. In addition, it doesn't help when we had to play against top-ranked players in our first two matches. I would rather play with lower-ranked players first to get a feel of it first, but it was still a great experience.
Jessica: It was definitely a whole new ball game altogether because for Terry and me, we have been playing full time for around 10 years, and we have been to so many tournaments, winning at Major Games, such as the Commonwealth Games, which was a really huge milestone for us. So, we thought that we had it all under control. We have been there and done that. However, when it really came down to the Olympics, we felt like we were fish thrown in the water again, and like what Terry said, it was a different experience that you really need to be there to experience it for yourself.
Jessica: It was definitely a whole new ball game altogether because for Terry and me, we have been playing full time for around 10 years, and we have been to so many tournaments, winning at Major Games, such as the Commonwealth Games, which was a really huge milestone for us. So, we thought that we had it all under control. We have been there and done that. However, when it really came down to the Olympics, we felt like we were fish thrown in the water again, and like what Terry said, it was a different experience that you really need to be there to experience it for yourself.
What do you like and dislike about being an athlete?
Jessica: What I like being an athlete is knowing that you can do sports while you are still young. You can always study afterwards, but you can't play sports when you get older because it is very body demanding. It is also special knowing that you have this opportunity to pursue sports as your career. So, dream big and go for it.
What I dislike being an athlete is having to wake up in the morning. I struggle to wake up every single morning for training. Even though we are national team players, we're also human. However, it is our responsibility because we chose this route. So, once we are in training, we will keep ourselves focussed and put in the hard work.
What I dislike being an athlete is having to wake up in the morning. I struggle to wake up every single morning for training. Even though we are national team players, we're also human. However, it is our responsibility because we chose this route. So, once we are in training, we will keep ourselves focussed and put in the hard work.
What kinds of injuries did you have and how did you come back from them?
Jessica: I have had many major injuries. I have had surgeries on all four of my limbs. It is difficult to recover and come back from injury because every time after surgery, I need to start from scratch again to build up my strength and endurance. However, as sport teaches us resilience and determination, if I feel we have a goal and that we really want to achieve it, it is what kept me going and I came back stronger each time. Also, you need the support of the team behind you.
Now that you have achieved your goal of reaching the Olympics, what are your plans forward?
Jessica: Like a lot of people said, Olympics is the pinnacle of sport, and we have also heard stories from other Olympians that every time you competed in the Olympics, you felt the extreme highs, and right after the Olympics, you feel the extreme low. So, people usually will take a few weeks or months’ break after the Olympics. For us, we went back to training just a few days after we came back to Singapore because we are preparing for upcoming tournaments, and for our next plans, we hope to play for a few more years and eventually start a family.
What is your advice for our athletes?
Terry: It is a great opportunity that you are here today, and you have a great system behind you. So, train hard and study hard. I believe you can achieve even better than us.
