U. K. Shyam

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Umaglia Kancanangai Shyam Dhuleep, or UK Shyam (born 1st July 1976), is a Singaporean athlete.

He attended St. Andrew's Secondary School and Raffles Junior College, and went on to do a double degree in Philosophy and Political Science at the National University of Singapore.

This learned athlete is the National Record-holder of the 100m sprint event with a stellar timing of 10.37s. He broke the 33 year old record of 10.38s (set by Singapore sprint legend C. Kunalan) at the World University Games in Beijing in 2001. He equalled his own national record soon after at the 21st Southeast Asian Games (SEA) in Kuala Lumpur, and clinched a credible silver medal with a repeat of his national record feat. This timing of 10.37s still stands to date as the fastest ever SEA Games silver medal timing.

This performance at the SEA Games ended Singapore's athletics medal drought, and he became the first Singaporean athlete since 1989 to win a 100m medal in an individual track event. His national record also helped him achieve IAAF world ranking in 2001, and allowed him to qualify for the Athens Olympics in 2004. He also heralded a new era in Singaporean sports and was inaugural in reviving the local track and field scene (the Singapore Amateur Athletics Association was soon upgraded to a core sport after that). This earned him a place as the first athlete to be placed on Singapore Sports Council’s inaugural Athlete Career Training Programme (ACT Scheme) Programme, launched and conferred by then Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.

Shyam's performance was held as exemplary by many, and as proof that dreams can come true. From a humble background with scarce finances, Shyam's struggle to overcome the odds and achieve success both on and off the track, was upheld as a national inspirational story. Many youths identify with his story of poverty and responsibility in supporting his divorced mother and younger sister, and earning a University scholarship. An outspoken and forthright personality, he has also been a pivotal (and sometimes controversial) figure in attempts to foster change in Singaporean athletics.

Shyam's successes are many, but not without helping hands along the way. His long-time coach Pedro Edmundo Soto Acuna, who coached Chilean sprint legend Sebastian Keitel, and his mentor, Singaporean swimming legend Ang Peng Siong, are key figures in his life. Acuna and Ang have helped Shyam achieve his long list of accolades on track, and were vital in helping him achieve his high points in his 13 year track and field career. Shyam continues to dedicate himself to the sport, both running for Singapore and coaching youths, and for a period of time, the Singapore disabled athletes.

Apart from being committed to athletics, Shyam has also gone into education. He has taught integrated humanities, geography and philosophy in Nanyang Girls’ High School and has since gone on to do a Post-graduate Diploma in Education at the National Institute of Education in Nanyang Technological University. In his free time, he does volunteer work with various churches and helps out with various youth initiatives and community projects.

[edit] Achievements

 National record-holder in the 100m Men’s sprint event Set at the Semi-finals of the World University Games in Beijing with a time of 10.37s. Broke 100m national record of 10.38s, setting a new national record of 10.37s, which still stands to date.

 Silver Medalist in the 100m Men’s sprint event – 21st Southeast Asia Games (Kuala Lumpur, 2001) – Fastest-ever Silver Medal timing in Southeast Asian Games history First athlete in Singapore since 1989 to win a 100m medal in an individual track event Clinched the silver medal and equaled own national record of 10.37s.

 Four-time Southeast Asia (SEA) Games Medalist 19th SEA Games (Jarkarta, 1997) – 4x100m Men’s Relay, Bronze Medal 21st SEA Games (Kuala Lumpur, 2001) – 100m Men’s, Silver Medal (equaled own national record of 10.37s) 22nd SEA Games (Hanoi, 2003) – 4x100m Men’s Relay, Silver Medal 23rd SEA Games (Manila, 2004) – 4x100m Men’s Relay, Bronze Medal

 Obtained I.A.A.F world ranking in Men’s 100m in 2001

 Qualified for Athens Olympics 2004 – B qualifier

 Ranked 2nd in Southeast Asia for the 100m Men’s Sprint event in 2001

 Asian Games 2002 (Korea, Busan) 100m Men’s sprint event Semi-finalist

 23rd SEA Games (Manila, 2004) – 100m Men’s sprint event Finalist

 1st athlete to be placed on Singapore Sports Council’s inaugural Athlete Career Training Programme (ACT Scheme) Programme was launched and conferred by then Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.

 Ranked 1st in Singapore for the 100m Men’s Sprint event from 2001-2003

 Singapore Sports Council Awards Meritorious Award winner (Senior) 2001

 Individual Award Recipient for Sporting Singapore Inspiration Awards 2006.

[edit] Ambassadorships and scholarships

 Recipient of International Olympic Council (IOC) Olympic Solidarity Fund Scholarship 2002

 Tag Heuer Ambassador for Singapore (2001-2003)

 NIKE Ambassador for Singapore (1994, 1995, 2001 – present)

 Anti-Smoking Campaign Ambassador for Singapore (2002)

 One of the Ambassadors for Singapore Sports School.