AN ARDUOUS JOURNEY

For 24 years, Singapore’s male weightlifters were absent from the Commonwealth Games. That changed in 2014 when Lewis Chua ­— alongside teammate Scott Wong — took part in the competition in Glasgow, Scotland.

For the then 22-year-old Lewis, the outing was especially memorable. He managed to lift 182kg at clean-and-jerk and 133kg at snatch. While his total of 315kg could only earn him 10th place, it was a new national record and a personal milestone.

Sure, he was way behind medallists like Canada’s George Kobaladze and Australia’s Damon Kelly. Still, the credible result was vindication of his decision to press on in his quest to don national colours. He had set himself the target of representing Singapore after being inspired by how Helena Wong made news with her selection for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.

“For my generation, that was the first time someone from Singapore got onto the big stage for weightlifting. It was awesome and I told myself I too would want to get a similar opportunity one day,” he recalls.

That burning desire started an arduous journey — one that would be marked by hard work, little money, slammed doors, pressure to give up and constant frustrations as any glimmer of hope often gave way to harsh reality. What kept him going was a quote he learnt as a child: “Every decision has consequences. Whatever you choose, make sure you always do your best and succeed”.

He did do his best for sure. It just wasn’t good enough to make the cut for either the 2011 SEA Games or the 2012 Olympics. But he seized the chance to earn his ticket to Glasgow with some fine performances in 2014. Looking back, he says, “I was just so happy that our men’s team were back on the weightlifting scene at the Commonwealth Games after so long. It felt good to know that I, in my own small way, had contributed to this breakthrough.”

Indeed, he is proud to be a key member of a new generation of weightlifters trying to put their once glorious sport back in the limelight. His quest, he says, would not be possible without the unwavering support of people like his coach Wu Chuan Fu and Singapore Weightlifting Federation’s President Tom Liaw. The latter, for example, found him a place to stay when his money ran out and gave him coaching opportunities.

Born in Singapore, Lewis — a self-professed foodie who has harboured thoughts of becoming a chef — grew up in Auckland, New Zealand. A “fat kid”, he was initially into rugby before a school coach encouraged him to pick up weightlifting when he was 13. His serious foray into the sport happened after he came back here to fulfil his national service obligations.

His mother would rather that he spends time studying. But he — with his persuasion — has managed to convince her to let him concentrate on his sport for now. She calls him “jui gu” (Teochew for “buffalo”), a nickname from young which he still keeps proudly today for its connotation of bulk and strength.

Weightlifting may not be a glamorous sport but it, he says, has given him much. Apart from the training of character, it has enabled him to travel to different places and experience different cultures. It has also given him the skills to set up his own training school. Named Solitude of Strength, it is a modest business. What drives him most is the desire to “give back to the community”, providing a home for those interested in what he calls “an abandoned sport”.