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SINGAPORE: In his first appearance at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Max Maeder needed no time to make an impression, delivering a kitefoiling masterclass to claim gold with a perfect run \u2013 and a day to spare.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis medal is so special to me,\u201d a beaming Maeder told CNA\u2019s Singapore Tonight on Wednesday (Dec 17) from Thailand\u2019s Pattaya, where the sailing events were held.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis medal is something that I definitely always wanted to win for Singapore, for everyone back at home. I’m happy (and) I’ve seen a lot of positive reactions so far.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maeder\u2019s dominance became mathematically unbeatable before the final day of racing \u2013 a fact the 19-year-old himself did not immediately realise until he returned to Jomtien Beach, where cheering supporters greeted him, after Tuesday\u2019s races.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was surprised,\u201d he recalled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone showed up on the beach and was like, \u2018Yay, congratulations!\u2019. I was like, \u2018What’s going on?\u2019 And they told me that I won.\u201d<\/p>\n
By that point, Maeder had swept all 12 races across the first three days of competition, leaving his rivals with no pathway to overtake him in the standings.<\/p>\n
Despite already securing gold, he vowed to \u201cbe a sportsman\u201d and give his best on the final day \u2013 a promise he kept by cruising to victory in all four remaining races on Wednesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thailand\u2019s Joseph Jonathan Weston claimed silver, with Warner Janoya of the Philippines taking bronze.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n