Lee Hsien Loong highlights Singaporean athletes, filmmakers, and lawyers for shining on world stage in 2026
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong posted yesterday (4 Nov) about how Singaporeans have been “shining on the world stage” recently.
He pointed to judge Rena Lee, successful athletes, and filmmakers as prominent examples.
Lee Hsien Loong praises first Singaporean judge elected to ICJ
Mr Lee first highlighted Rena Lee as the first Singaporean to be elected a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the world’s highest judicial body.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said yesterday that her election underscored the contributions that small states can make on the world stage.
Source: Vivian Balakrishnan on Facebook
Lee is Singapore’s Ambassador for International Law and has more than three decades of experience in the field.
She was on Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024 list for her major role in the establishment of the United Nations’ High Seas Treaty.
Singaporean athletes take home championships in wushu and kitefoiling
On the sports front, Mr Lee congratulated 16-year-old Ng Zhe Nin. She won gold in Women’s Taijiquan at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on 3 Nov.
Source: OIS / Felix Diemer via Singapore National Olympic Council on Facebook
The 2026 YOG was the first to include wushu.
This win turned out to be Singapore’s first gold medal at a Summer YOG since 2014.
Source: OIS / Remi Vallat via Singapore National Olympic Council on Facebook
For Ng, this was the latest in a line of international medals. She won two gold medals and one silver medal at the World Junior Wushu Championships 2026.
No conversation about Singapore’s sports accomplishments is complete without 20-year-old Max Maeder.
Source: Robert Hajduk/IKA Media via SingaporeSailing on Facebook
Currently the world’s top-ranked kitefoiler, Maeder has had an incredible 2026, winning all seven competitions this year.
On 12 Sept, he celebrated his birthday with his third consecutive European Championships win.
Late last month, Maeder became one of the Sailor of the Year finalists for World Sailing.
Source: Robert Hajduk/IKA Media via SingaporeSailing on Facebook
‘The Violinist’ and ‘Ah Girl’ win awards at international film festivals
“In the arts, congratulations to Ervin Han and the team behind The Violinist, which won Best Animated Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards,” Mr Lee continued.
Source: The Violinist on Facebook
The film premiered at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where it became the first Singaporean production to win the top prize of Best Film.
With the win, ‘The Violinist’ enters an esteemed group with fellow winners such as ‘Coraline’ and Studio Ghibli’s ‘Porco Rosso’.
Source: The Violinist on Facebook
Last but certainly not least, Mr Lee praised Priscilla Ang for her debut film, ‘Ah Girl’.
Source: @ahgirlfilm on Instagram
It won awards at film festivals across the world, including Rotterdam, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Bangkok.
On 1 Nov, it also took home the Best Asian Feature Film title at the Singapore International Film Festival.
Source: Ang Geck Geck Priscilla on Facebook
“These achievements span diverse fields, but all reflect years of hard work and dedication,” Mr Lee said. He added that these Singaporeans have received constant support from family, friends, teachers, and more.
Mr Lee urged every Singaporean with dreams to keep working towards them.
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Featured image adapted from OIS / Remi Vallat via Singapore National Olympic Council on Facebook, Vivian Balakrishnan on Facebook, and The Violinist on Facebook.
