A Marksman's Quest for Success: Daniel Chan's Journey Driven by Dreams

“Dreams keep you alive.” These are the words that constantly fuel Daniel Chan in his pursuit to achieve sporting success for Singapore on the global stage. The para-shooter, who will be representing Singapore at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, has a robust support network that includes his family, friends, and support staff from the Singapore Sports Institute and the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC).

Daniel Chan at the Flag Presentation Ceremony (Photo Credit: SNPC / Dyan Tjhia)

Paris 2024 Paralympics Debut
The Paris 2024 Paralympics will mark Daniel’s debut on the biggest sporting stage. He secured the coveted quota place with his outstanding performance in the men’s 10m air pistol SH1 final at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, where he secured fifth place and set a new personal best and national record with a score of 565.

A Unique Journey into Sport
Daniel’s journey into shooting began during his national service when his unit took part in a mini-competition. He took a break from the sport while studying overseas but was inspired to return to the sport after watching the 2016 Olympics in Rio, where 42-year-old Vietnamese shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh won his country's first-ever gold medal. Reflecting on this, Daniel said, "I was a bit naive. I was around 29 or 30 years old then, so I told myself, he's 40 plus, I have 10 years to catch up if I work double or triple hard."

Daniel was then encouraged to try out the para-shooting team by Zhang Shao Ying, a national coach and mother of former national shooter Zhang Jingna. This marked the beginning of his journey into competitive shooting.

To overcome the disadvantage of starting later than many, Daniel puts in extra hours at the shooting range, training six times a week since 2017. Living with Erb’s palsy, a condition stemming from a traumatic birth that damaged the nerves in his left arm and shoulder, Daniel participates in a sport that requires both physical and immense mental strength.

Comprehensive Support
Daniel credits the SDSC for helping him grow both as an athlete and as an individual.  His dietician supports him during his travels for competitions. His coach, Deanne Pheong, an ex-warrant officer with decades of experience in the military police rifle section, has been coaching him since February 2023. They share a strong chemistry, with Deanne noting Daniel’s determination and discipline in his training.

The marksman also received the Sport Excellence Scholarship (spexScholarship), a programme administered by the Singapore Sports Institute (SSI) that provides enhanced financial and programmatic support for exceptional athletes who demonstrate the potential to excel at the international level.

Daniel was supported by Coach Deanne Pheong, Psychologist Jin Hong Zhao, and SDSC Performance and Pathway Director Tim Newenham in the competition in Serbia. (Photo credit: Daniel Chan Instagram)

Mental Strength
Shooting requires mental fortitude, and Daniel overcomes the challenges with the help of his sports psychologist, Dr. Harry Lim, from the Singapore Sports Institute. As part of his sessions, Daniel adopted a new mantra that guides him every time he picks up his air pistol: “Calm, sights, and trigger.” These words, written on masking tape on a Styrofoam block, help him maintain composure.

Guidance from Experts
During a training camp and competition in Serbia in July, the SDSC Performance and Pathway Director, Tim Newenham, set up a call for Daniel with Peter Wilson, the London 2012 Olympic champion in Double Trap. This conversation provided Daniel with fresh perspectives on emotional preparation before competitions, maintaining the right mindset, and finding joy in competing.

Family Support
An essential part of Daniel’s support network is his family. His sister, DJ Chen Ning, a radio personality on YES933, recently interviewed him on her show. They share a close bond, with Chen Ning being the first person Daniel confided in when deciding to become a Paralympian. Initially worried about his parents' reaction, Daniel was relieved to find them happy and supportive.

Chen Ning highlighted Daniel’s dedication, noting his six weekly training sessions, full-time job, and frequent competition travel, which leaves him little time for a personal life.

Daniel with sister Chen Ning, who is a DJ at YES933 (Photo credit: Daniel Chan instagram)

Beyond Shooting
An unexpected part of Daniel’s support system is his passion for Go (weiqi), a strategy board game. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Go and running a Go academy, Daniel finds similarities between the game and shooting, particularly in the need for calmness. Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam echoed this sentiment at the Paralympic Fiesta in May 2024.

Looking Ahead
The 2024 Paralympics in Paris will be the biggest stage in Daniel’s shooting career so far. His goal is to represent Singapore in both the Paralympic and Olympic Games, driven by his motto, “Dreams keep you alive,” as he aims to reach greater heights in his sporting endeavors.