Tan Ser Cher
Encyclopedia
Tan Ser Cher is a weightlifter from Singapore
who began full-time training in the sport when he was 16, and was crowned the "Champion of Champions" in the local weightlifting competition in 1954 at the age of 21. He represented Singapore in the 1956 Summer Olympics
in Melbourne
in his first international competition, and came in at 7th position. In 1958, he reached the 4th position at the 3rd Asian Games
held in Tokyo
, and two months later, he archived the gold medal at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
in the featherweight category after hoisting 685 lbs, together with compatriot Tan Howe Liang
who also took gold in the lightweight category.
Soon after however, sporting injured forced him to retire prematurely, although he was asked to represent Singapore in the 1st SEAP Games in Bangkok
in 1959. He won a bronze medal in the featherweight division, the final medal he took home after a waist injury returned him to permanently retire from participating in the sport competitively.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
who began full-time training in the sport when he was 16, and was crowned the "Champion of Champions" in the local weightlifting competition in 1954 at the age of 21. He represented Singapore in the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in his first international competition, and came in at 7th position. In 1958, he reached the 4th position at the 3rd Asian Games
Asian Games
The Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
held in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, and two months later, he archived the gold medal at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
The 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Cardiff, capital of Wales from 18–26 July 1958.Thirty-five nations sent a total of 1,130 athletes and 228 officials to the Cardiff Games and 23 countries and dependencies won medals, including, for the first time, Singapore, Ghana, Kenya...
in the featherweight category after hoisting 685 lbs, together with compatriot Tan Howe Liang
Tan Howe Liang
Tan Howe Liang is a weightlifter from Singapore who earned himself a place in history as the first Singaporean to win an Olympic Games medal. He did this in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome where he won the silver medal in the lightweight category...
who also took gold in the lightweight category.
Soon after however, sporting injured forced him to retire prematurely, although he was asked to represent Singapore in the 1st SEAP Games in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
in 1959. He won a bronze medal in the featherweight division, the final medal he took home after a waist injury returned him to permanently retire from participating in the sport competitively.