At the Commonwealth Games on Sunday (Aug 7), Yeo Jia Min, typically known for her calm demeanor, expressed her excitement with a triumphant shout after securing a victory in the women’s singles third-place match at the National Exhibition Centre.

She defeated Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour, ranked No. 17 in the world, with scores of 21-14 and 22-20, earning her first individual medal of the year—a bronze—and marking Singapore’s first medal in women’s singles badminton at the Commonwealth Games since 2002. The last medal won in this category was gold, claimed by Li Li at the Manchester Games.

Yeo, currently ranked No. 18, reflected on her journey, stating, “This year has been challenging for me. I haven’t reached my desired performance level and have missed several opportunities. I knew I had to seize this one and not let it slip away.”

She expressed hope that this achievement would serve as a stepping stone, saying, “This is a significant milestone for me. Competing against top players has boosted my belief in my abilities, and I aim to carry this momentum into my next competition.”

In 2018, during the previous Commonwealth Games held on the Gold Coast, Yeo reached the round of 16 but faced elimination against India’s Gadde Ruthvika Shivani.

Now at 23, she is determined to build upon her accomplishments. “Winning a medal for my country is an aspiration of mine. This week has been productive, and regardless of the outcomes, I look forward to learning from each match and continuing to grow as an athlete, both on and off the court.”