5 rising athletes from Southeast Asia to know

Meet the rising sports stars from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines who are taking the world by storm

Southeast Asia is home to many young athletes who are making waves in the sporting arena. From golf and swimming to racecar driving and weight lifting, they are excelling and proving their dedication to their chosen sport. Several of them have also made history by breaking records, winning medals and overcoming challenges.

In addition to well-known names such as Jeka Saragih, the Indonesian mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and Bianca Bustamante, the Filipino racing driver competing for Prema Racing in the feeder series F1 Academy, here are other 2023 Gen.T honourees who are pushing their limits to climb to the top.

Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul

Above Thai golfer Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul (Photo: Getty Images)

Sport Golf
Team Thailand

At six years old, Atthaya Thitikul started playing golf as a way to improve her poor health, never dreaming that at 14, she would become the youngest winner of a professional golf tournament. She also became the second youngest LPGA world number one in November 2022, winning the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award in the same season.

Khiew Hoe Yean

Above Malaysian swimmer Khiew Hoe Yean (Photo: Daniel Adams)

Sport Swimming
Team Malaysia

Freestyle and backstroke swimmer Khiew Hoe Yean confirmed his status as Malaysia’s top star of the pool when he won the Southeast Asian Games gold medal in the 200m freestyle in 2021. He followed up in 2022 by breaking the national record in the 400m freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships. He also holds the records in the 800m freestyle and 200m backstroke categories.

Jeka Saragih

Above Indonesian mixed martial artist Jeka Saragih (Photo: Getty Images)

Sport Mixed martial artist
Team Indonesia

Jeka Saragih is from a small mountain village in North Sumatra. Growing up, he was bullied by kids from bigger towns. He fought back then, and continues to fight on behalf of his people. Although he lost in the 2022 lightweight finals of the Road to UFC qualifying event, he left a deep impression on those watching to be offered a five-fight contract, making him the first-ever Indonesian UFC fighter.

Farhanna Farid

Above Singaporean powerlifter Farhanna Farid (Photo: Darren Gabriel Leow)

Sport Powerlifter
Team Singapore

Three-time world and six-time Asian record breaker Farhanna Farid was the first Singaporean to win gold in an international powerlifting competition in the women’s open category. To gather more financial support for athletes and visibility for the sport, the former pharmacist coaches other powerlifters through CoachbyMarc and also spends her time as an executive committee member of Powerlifting Singapore. In June 2023, Farhanna regained her Under 52kg deadlift world record when she won the 203kg gold medal at the World Open Classic Powerlifting Championships.

Bianca Bustamante

Above Filipina F1 Academy driver Bianca Bustamante (Photo: Wesley Villarica)

Sport Racecar driving
Team Philippines

In 2022, Bianca Bustamante became the first Filipino racing driver to compete in the W Series, the leading women’s motorsport event. After taking up kart racing at age five, she is now part of the Italian team Prema Racing, one of the leading junior outfits, which has been home to the likes of Mick Schumacher and Charles Leclerc, where she now competes in the Formula 4 UAE Championship and the F1 Academy series.

See more honourees in the Sports category on the Gen.T List 2023.

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Topics

Sports Southeast Asia Athletes Asia Gen.T List 2023

Tatler Asia

5 athletes from Southeast Asia who are climbing the sporting ranks

Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul

Khiew Hoe Yean

Jeka Saragih

Farhanna Farid

Bianca Bustamante