Singapore’s youngest athlete at the 2025 SEA Games, 12-year-old Anya Zahedi, made a splash on December 14 by winning a silver medal in the girls’ optimist sailing event. She finished second out of six competitors, marking an impressive debut on the regional stage.
Excited for Her First Major Games
Before the games began, Anya shared her excitement about representing Singapore for the first time in a major competition. She said, “I feel really excited because it is my first time representing Singapore at a major games and I want to learn a lot of stuff from this experience.”
She also mentioned her goal for the competition, adding that she wanted to learn from the region’s strongest sailors. Her approach was focused on growth and experience rather than just the medal tally.
Inspiration From Her Sister
Anya credited her older sister, Nia Zahedi, for inspiring her to take up sailing. “I started sailing when I was seven years old. My sister was in the school’s sailing team, and I was very inspired by her,” Anya said. Her family’s support and admiration for her sister helped fuel her dedication to the sport.
Older Sister Wins Bronze
The Zahedi family had double reason to celebrate at the SEA Games, as Nia Zahedi, 16, also competed and clinched a bronze medal in the girls’ ILCA 4 event. Nia finished third out of five competitors, showing that sailing talent clearly runs in the family.
Post-Victory Reflections
After her silver medal win, Anya spoke about her experience in a post-victory interview, reflecting on the lessons she learned and the excitement of competing against strong regional opponents. She remains focused on improving her skills and aims to continue representing Singapore in future competitions.
With both sisters bringing home medals, Singapore’s sailing team can celebrate not only their achievements but also the inspiring story of young talent growing through family support and dedication.
