Keenan's On A Roll
Student Feature – Keenan Brunkard
Young inline skating speedster Keenan Brunkard is zipping forward to make a name for himself in rollersports. His agility, precision and speed have set him apart as one of Singapore’s finest inline skating talents. Keenan's exceptional talent and performances in various competitions have paved the way for him to represent Singapore on a larger stage. At just fifteen years old, he has been shortlisted to compete at the upcoming Asian Games in September 2023. This achievement not only marks a significant milestone in his career but also represents a historic moment for Singapore, as it's the first time the nation is sending representatives in roller skating to the Asiad.
Keenan who was an active child, tried various sports such as gymnastics and football. He dipped his toes in inline skating when he was seven years old but never thought that it was become the focus in his life. He grew an interest in the sport when he saw his current coaches Terence Cheung and Ernest Wong conducting classes for students near his home. His two coaches, who were previous national athletes, saw his potential as they trained him and encouraged him to progress to take part in competitions. They inspired him to take on new challenges, skills and techniques. Seeing that his coaches had faith in his ability spurred Keenan on to pursue rollersports seriously.
Choosing to join the Singapore Sports School in Secondary 1 was a pivotal decision for Keenan as it allows him to balance his academics while pursuing competitive training in rollersports.
Keenan’s hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. He has earned several medals despite competing against older and more experienced competitors. Notably, his recent victory at the Singapore Rollersports Championships 2023 is a testament to his talent and perseverance. He secured medals in all four events, winning 1st place in Speed Slalom and Speed Dash, 2nd place in the Battle event, and 3rd place in the Classic event.
Young inline skating speedster Keenan Brunkard is zipping forward to make a name for himself in rollersports. His agility, precision and speed have set him apart as one of Singapore’s finest inline skating talents. Keenan's exceptional talent and performances in various competitions have paved the way for him to represent Singapore on a larger stage. At just fifteen years old, he has been shortlisted to compete at the upcoming Asian Games in September 2023. This achievement not only marks a significant milestone in his career but also represents a historic moment for Singapore, as it's the first time the nation is sending representatives in roller skating to the Asiad.
Keenan who was an active child, tried various sports such as gymnastics and football. He dipped his toes in inline skating when he was seven years old but never thought that it was become the focus in his life. He grew an interest in the sport when he saw his current coaches Terence Cheung and Ernest Wong conducting classes for students near his home. His two coaches, who were previous national athletes, saw his potential as they trained him and encouraged him to progress to take part in competitions. They inspired him to take on new challenges, skills and techniques. Seeing that his coaches had faith in his ability spurred Keenan on to pursue rollersports seriously.
Choosing to join the Singapore Sports School in Secondary 1 was a pivotal decision for Keenan as it allows him to balance his academics while pursuing competitive training in rollersports.
Keenan’s hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. He has earned several medals despite competing against older and more experienced competitors. Notably, his recent victory at the Singapore Rollersports Championships 2023 is a testament to his talent and perseverance. He secured medals in all four events, winning 1st place in Speed Slalom and Speed Dash, 2nd place in the Battle event, and 3rd place in the Classic event.
With his name becoming more prominent in the rollersports world, Keenan’s journey is an inspiration to young athletes. He is a shining example of what hard work, determination and the right mentors can achieve in the pursuit of excellence in sports. His advice to aspiring athletes: “Try your best and always believe in yourself. You must remember to come back strong from your setbacks and to enjoy your journey.”
Keenan is currently intensively training for the Asian Games, and hopes to feature in more major games in the future. He also hopes that rollersports will be recognised as a competitive sport and leisure activity more widely. He said, “For the sport to grow and develop further, I hope for it to be a mainstream sport with lots of people doing it.”
