Private home sales in Singapore drop by 53% in May, lowest in 5 months

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June 17, 2025

Lumiere Condo — Photo: Facebook/Lumiere•Mistri Road•Singapore Condominium

SINGAPORE: New private home sales in Singapore decreased by 53% last month, the lowest monthly sales volume so far this year. According to a Jun 16 (Monday) report from Bloomberg, the drop is largely due to tariff tensions around the globe, given the city-state’s trade-reliant economy.

Real Estate Asia also stated that the five-month low is due to a lack of new project launches. Data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority showed that May saw only 312 new private home transactions, excluding executive condominiums.

This represents a 53% decrease from the previous month, when 663 units were sold, according to Real Estate Asia, which quoted a release from PropNex Realty.

“This is the first month in 2025 where there have been no fresh projects put on the market. To this end, the decline in new home sales in May is not unexpected, as fresh project launches tend to drive transactions each month. With launch activity still subdued in June, developers’ sales are expected to remain relatively muted this month,” PropNex said.

Nevertheless, in comparison with the figures from May 2024, sales were higher by around 40% year on year.

Bloomberg’s report noted how Singapore’s outlook has dimmed after U.S. President Donald Trump began to push for tariffs early in April. Among other effects, this appears to have caused real estate developers in the city-state to grow wary, as evidenced by the fact that no major projects went on sale last month.

The report further cited a survey from the previous quarter among senior real estate executives that showed almost nine in 10 saying they considered a global economic slowdown as a risk. Following this, they said that job losses and a weaker domestic economy were their biggest concerns.

The majority of new private home sales in May were located in the Rest of Central Region (RCR), with 191 units transacted. Meanwhile, at Outside Central Region (OCR), 106 new units were sold. Sales at the Core Central Region (CCR) stayed low, with only 15 units sold. As for Executive Condominiums, there were 24 transactions in May, a 75% decrease from the 96 units sold in April.

“The market’s sluggish performance is expected to persist into June, typically a slow month due to school holidays. One project in the city’s east sold fewer than 10% of its 107 freehold units during its launch weekend earlier this month. It remains to be seen whether the drop in new home sales will impact prices. Private residential prices rose 0.8 per cent in the first quarter. Values may rise as much as 3% this year, Bloomberg Intelligence estimated in May,” the report added. /TISG

0.4-month mid-year bonus for civil servants and junior officers, all get up to S$400 one-time payment

By

Anna Maria Romero

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June 17, 2025

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merlion singapore — Photo: Depositphotos/ galsavi.ya.ru (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: The government made an announcement on Monday (Jun 16) concerning the mid-year bonus civil servants will be receiving. Following close consultation with public sector unions, civil servants will receive a 0.4-month mid-year bonus, and some junior-grade officers will also receive an additional one-time payment of up to S$400.

“The government has decided to pay all civil servants a mid-year Annual Variable Component (AVC) of 0.4 months. Civil servants in grades equivalent to MX13(I) and MX14 will receive an additional one-time payment of S$250, while those in grades equivalent to MX15 and MX16, and those in the Operations Support Scheme (OSS) will receive a higher one-time payment of S$400,” a statement from the government reads.

It added that the mid-year bonus also took into consideration the economic performance of Singapore for the first quarter of the year, as well as the subdued economic outlook for this year. With weaker Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and the downside economic risks, Singapore’s economic performance will be jointly monitored by the Government and public sector unions, the statement said, adding that year-end bonuses will be calibrated accordingly.

In 2024, the Government issued a mid-year AVC of 0.45 months to all civil servants.

Economic and labour market conditions

Year-on-year, the city-state’s economy grew by 3.9% in the first quarter of 2025. According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the GDP growth forecast is expected to be 0.0% to 2.0% this year. This takes into account the “significant uncertainty, with the risks tilted to the downside” of the global economic environment.

As for the labour market, the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) advance estimates show that labour demand may be moderating. While there was expansion in the labour market in the first quarter of the year, the pace of employment growth has slowed down in comparison to previous quarters. Additionally, unemployment rates have gone up slightly since the end of 2024.

“MOM expects the labour market to soften going forward, given the greater uncertainties weighing on business sentiments,” the statement added.

“The mid-year AVC payment of 0.4 month for the civil service is thus moderated and balanced as we are navigating a complex environment with lots of uncertainties. The additional one-time lump sum payments give a boost to civil servants who may need more assistance during this period. We thank our civil servants for their hard work over the past months in serving Singaporeans, including our workforce,” said NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Cham Hui Fong. /TISG

50,000 people attend the first night of Singaporean singer Stefanie Sun’s performance in Beijing

By

Lydia Koh

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June 17, 2025

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sun-fotor-20250403163757 — Photo:Instagram/Stefanie Sun

CHINA: As part of her ongoing tour, Aut Nihilo, Singaporean singer-songwriter Stefanie Sun has been performing to large crowds, according to CNA.

On Jun 13, Sun took the stage at Beijing’s iconic National Stadium—better known as the Bird’s Nest—kicking off the Beijing leg of her tour with a massive crowd of over 50,000 fans. On Jun 15, she performed there again for her second and final show.

Concert tour in China

In April and May, Sun completed the Shenzhen and Shanghai portions of her tour, respectively. According to Sun’s Weibo post, she performed in front of 46,000 people on the first night of her Shanghai concert on Apr 26.

Among the attendees for Sun’s opening night in Beijing is none other than Taiwanese actress Michelle Chen!

On Jun 14, actress Michelle Chen, from You Are The Apple Of My Eye, went on Weibo and talked about the show. She wrote, “This concert? For my favourite Chinese female singer? It’s been an unbelievably long wait! I actually had an opportunity to attend her last concert over a decade ago, but unfortunately, work commitments got in the way.”

It was quite a shock that her next one would be so many years later. The moment Sun appeared on stage, Chen was overcome with emotion and felt tears welling up.

As she put it, Sun has truly “carried my youth for so many years.”

In a funny, relatable twist, the 42-year-old actress quipped, “Fortunately, there were fast songs, so I only cried for half of the concert!”

She shared a lovely sentiment, saying that when she used to listen to Sun’s songs, they always carried this unique mix—”one part innocence, two parts stubbornness, and three parts freedom.”

Admiration from Chen

It was those very songs that helped her discover who she truly was—and gave her the courage to pursue her dreams. “I saw you in person today,” she added, “You are so cute! Different from any meaning, you are the green light and so unique.”

So, this is a huge deal: This “Aut Nihilo” tour (that’s Latin for “or nothing at all”) is Stefanie Sun’s first big concert series in ten whole years since her Kepler World Tour in 2014.

So, the whole amazing tour kicked off in Singapore just a couple of months ago, back in April! Sun rocked the Singapore Indoor Stadium for four incredible nights! This tour is extra special because it celebrates her 25th anniversary in the music scene. She debuted way back in 2000 with “Cloudy Day,” and of course, she’s famous for classics like “Encounter,” “What I Miss,” and “Against The Light.”

A true Mandopop legend, Sun is a renowned Singaporean singer-songwriter who’s earned widespread acclaim for her powerful vocals and heartfelt music. Everyone knows her for those powerful ballads that just hit you right in the feels, and, of course, her sweet “girl next door” image. She made her debut in 2000 with her self-titled album “Yan Zi” and the hit single “Cloudy Day,” quickly becoming a sensation across Asia.

‘Why is this allowed to happen, and why is there no enforcement?’ — Singaporean dismayed by the state of Lazarus Beach after migrant workers’ day-off gathering

By

Yoko Nicole

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June 17, 2025

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person-cleaning-nature-earth-day — Freepik

SINGAPORE: A local man who visited Lazarus Beach over the weekend said he was “dismayed” by the state of the area after large groups of migrant workers gathered there to unwind on their day off.

Posting on the r/askSingapore subreddit on Monday (Jun 16), the man shared that he was initially happy to see many foreign domestic workers and labourers enjoying themselves by the sea. However, his sentiments changed when he saw the condition the beach was left in.

According to his post, snack wrappers and beer cans were scattered across the sand, with some even floating in the water. He also noted that public sinks were being used as ‘makeshift showers,’ while toilet floors, which were clean earlier in the day, had become slippery and grimy.

He further claimed that some individuals had trespassed onto private resort grounds. “I saw several of the men enter the private property of the resorts, get chased off by a helpless single staff member, only to return the instant she turns her back,” he wrote.

Another issue that particularly upset him was the fishing. “I saw men fishing and catching and keeping even baby fish—something local anglers advocate against because it destroys the sustainability of the hobby,” he said.

“Why is this allowed to happen, and why is there no enforcement?” he asked. “The sight of the once pristine and beautiful Lazarus beachfront was, for the weekend, turned into a sight of callous environmental destruction – and nothing was done to stop it.”

Despite his criticism, the man clarified that he was not against migrant workers using public spaces. “I have long advocated that they do need a day of rest, and places to be – I have zero issue with their congregation at hotspots like Paya Lebar, East Coast, Farrer Park, and whatnot. They are also people, and people need spaces and community. What I cannot accept is the STATE of how they leave these spaces and places. I think we need to take an honest look at their behaviour every Saturday/Sunday.”

“It’s infuriating, to say the least, that they’re not respecting the public spaces…”

In the discussion thread, one user said, “I’m with you on this. Groups of MW are always playing cricket in this open field every weekend, and they leave behind lots of trash.

I have reported on One Service and note that there are several cameras in the vicinity, but I’m not sure if any actions have been taken since you’ll almost always get the generic responses that they’ll look into it, and then a couple of days later, the case is closed. It’s infuriating, to say the least, that they’re not respecting the public spaces.”

Another suggested, “Report to Nparks. Suggest they deploy officers there to curb littering.”

A third stated, “Their numbers are large (e.g., all concentrated on Sun), and there’s a lack of enforcement here, so that’s what we get.”

However, not everyone agreed with the negative generalisations. One user stepped in to defend the migrant worker community, writing, “I actually saw most of them cleaning up at the end of the day. Collected their litter in a large plastic tarp and placed it next to the bin.”

In other news, a diner took to social media to highlight a troubling incident at ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre, where people allegedly stole cutlery and crockery from a hawker stall.

In a post shared on the r/SingaporeRaw subreddit on Sunday (June 15), the diner uploaded photos showing a hawker, the missing utensils, and a handwritten sign.

The sign read: “Dear customers, in the past 10 operating days, 41 forks and 10 plates have been stolen. As a small Singapore business promoting sustainability, we kindly request their return. Authorities will be involved soon. Thank you and God bless.”

Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)

‘Why does no one give up their seats to me on the train when I’m visibly disabled?’ — 21 y/o foreign student visiting Singapore asks

By

Yoko Nicole

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June 17, 2025

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young-woman travelling — Photo: Freepik (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: A 21-year-old Aussie student, “visibly disabled” and currently in Singapore on a study tour, shared on social media that no commuter has ever offered her a seat on the MRT.

Posting on the r/askSingapore subreddit on Monday (Jun 16), she explained that in addition to using a cane, she also wears a sunflower lanyard (an indication that someone has a disability in her home country). Even so, she said that during her trips on the train, commuters either ignore her or remain too absorbed in their own worlds to notice her discomfort.

She also mentioned that commuters in Singapore seem to disregard priority seating. “I noticed that the seats on the end are supposed to be the accessible ones and even say above them to give the seats up for someone who needs it, but people don’t even acknowledge me… I even said quite loudly to my friends when we got on ‘Oh I can’t stand for very long’ and still no one paid attention,” she wrote.

She went on to share how difficult it has been standing on a packed train. “I clearly struggle to stand for very long as I get wobbly, especially on the train. I have to hook my arm fully around the 3 metal prong thing in the middle and lean all my weight onto it just to even keep myself standing up.”

In one instance, she recalled almost losing her balance before a seat finally opened up. By then, she was already in tears from the pain, which she tried to hide.

“I don’t want to be rude and directly ask someone to move as I feel it’s wrong to do so. It’s just that I was very close to falling on the floor before a seat was free,” she said.

At the end of her post, she asked the locals, “Just wondering if this is a common occurrence for locals too, or if there’s something specific as to why this is happening? Am I supposed to ask? It feels rude to ask, but I genuinely need the seat.”

“I am unsure if maybe they don’t see me as being ‘disabled enough’ because I’m young? Or maybe they don’t respect me because I’m foreign? These are very broad assumptions and I do understand that there’s probably an entirely different reason but it’s just kind of crazy to me because in Australia, people immediately move from the accessible seats when they see a disabled person getting on the bus or train.”

“Different countries have different cultures…”

In the thread, many locals encouraged the student to speak up instead of waiting silently and hoping someone would notice.

One person said, “The sad truth is that people will sit when they can, and once they do, they’re usually glued to their phones or not paying attention. So yes, it’s not really common courtesy here, unlike in some other countries.”

They added, “But Singaporeans are not all mean and unfeeling. If you had asked, most people would’ve given up their seats if they could. If you asked and no one gave up their seats, then you’re in the right to complain.”

Another chimed in, “Just ask? ‘May I have the seat? Thanks.’ Telling your friends you can’t stand long and expecting people to offer the seat is so paggro (passive-aggressive). Nobody knows what the sunflower lanyard is, just like you can’t buy things here with AUD… you can request a lanyard at the MRT station office, it’s for people with invisible disability.”

A third user pointed out, “Nobody can read your mind. Different countries have different cultures. You can’t expect every country to be like Australia.”

Despite some of the critical responses, a few users did validate her experience, pointing out that getting a seat on the MRT can be difficult even for the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with visible or invisible disabilities.

One shared, “I am very heavily pregnant and people still fight me for seats. One young girl even sprinted over to take a seat directly in front of me while I was waiting for the person to get off the train. Welcome to Singapore.”

Free lanyards for those who need a seat

If you have an invisible medical condition and find it hard to stand during your commute, you can get a “May I Have a Seat Please?” yellow lanyard or sticker for free at any Passenger Service Centre in MRT stations, bus interchanges, or TransitLink Ticket Offices.

Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)

Gyms and tuition centres replace Singapore cinemas amid closures

By

Mary Alavanza

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June 17, 2025

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SINGAPORE: Gyms and tuition centres have been replacing Singapore cinemas in malls amid closures, as footfall from cinemas wanes due to the rise of streaming services and changing consumer preferences. Meanwhile, other cinema spaces are drawing in immersive dining to draw in the crowd, as reported by Channel News Asia (CNA).

Cathay Cineplexes, operated by media company mm2 Asia, faced legal action in February over alleged unpaid rent and other costs. Days after the reports surfaced, the cinema announced the closure of its West Mall outlet in Bukit Batok. In March, it also shut its outlet at Jem shopping mall, citing challenges the cinema industry faced since the pandemic in a bourse filing, CNA reported. These closures followed earlier ones that began in mid-2022.

Over the past year, WE Cinemas, formerly known as Eng Wah Cinemas, and Filmgarde Cineplexes have also exited the cinema industry.

At Leisure Park Kallang, the former Filmgarde Cineplexes unit will become an “immersive dining” venue. The Singapore Tourism Board said Hidden Worlds, a themed restaurant focused on ocean conservation, will open there later this year.

West Mall and AMK Hub, formerly occupied by Cathay Cineplexes, also plan to overhaul their cinema spaces. Singland, which owns West Mall, said it was in an “active discussion” with potential tenants to “explore opportunities to introduce new offerings.”

Meanwhile, AMK Hub’s asset and property manager, Link Asset Management, said it began upgrading level four of the mall, where the cinema was previously located, in July last year and is working to enhance its tenant mix.

At Seletar Mall, Shaw Theatres closed its outlet in December. Mall management said then that they already had “alternative plans” for the space.

Dr Samer Elhajjar, senior lecturer in marketing at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) business school, pointed out a shift in how mall operators view cinemas. He said the pandemic accelerated a trend that was already “brewing”, as more people turned to entertainment at home, changing the value proposition of cinemas.

Once home to a Cathay cinema that’s now closed, Parkway Parade’s general manager, Joey Teng, said they needed to “monitor, adapt and refresh” their tenant mix to meet evolving shopper needs.

She added, “It is important to make sure our offerings remain relevant for our visitors and provide not only their ideal tenants but differentiators from surrounding locations.”

RHB Bank Singapore’s vice president of equity research, Vijay Natarajan, noted that while cinemas can still draw foot traffic, changes in how people watch content are pushing mall operators to look for better-performing and higher-paying tenants.

Still, mall owner Lendlease said it continues to view cinemas as a “relevant tenant” that adds variety to its premises. It also noted that bringing in a tenant from the same industry could help “reduce capital expenditure and ensure stable income and cash flow” for both landlord and tenant. /TISG

Demon Slayer anime live concert debuts in Singapore this October

By

Lydia Koh

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June 17, 2025

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1000x1000px - thumbnail-fotor-20250617122753 — Courtesy of press release

SINGAPORE: Come October, a legendary live concert series based on one of the most popular anime and Japanese manga franchises ever will debut in Singapore.

Get ready, Demon Slayer fans! The “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba In Concert” is just around the corner, and prepare yourselves – it’s set to be an absolutely incredible and unforgettable live music celebration of the series.

Imagine experiencing it all right there in person! You won’t want to miss it! It’s time to celebrate the thrilling world of Demon Slayer, which has just exploded in popularity and captivated fans worldwide, all through an unforgettable musical experience!

An amazing 18-piece orchestra will bring the iconic soundtrack of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc to life while the unforgettable scenes are projected onto a full-size cinema screen.

Event Information

Date: 18 October 2025

Time: 8:00 pm

Venue: Esplanade Theatre

Ticketing link: https://bookmyshow.sg/en/events/demon-slayer-in-concert/DSIC2025

Tickets will be available for purchase from Thursday, 19 June 2025, at 11:00 AM.

So, what are you waiting for, Demon Slayer fans! “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba In Concert” isn’t just a show – it’s your chance to truly feel the heart and epic scale of the series in a way you never have before, live and in person. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience!

Don’t wait! Make sure you grab your tickets now for this absolutely spectacular show on October 18th. You won’t want to miss it!

About Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba isn’t just popular, it’s a phenomenon! It was the most-streamed anime for the first half of 2023, and it’s racked up some serious accolades. And get this: Demon Slayer has basically swept the floor with awards!

We’re talking serious accolades here! Imagine again winning Animation of the Year at both the highly respected Tokyo Anime Awards and the global Crunchyroll Anime Awards.

It also won the Grand Prize at the 42nd Anime Grand Prix. That’s not just popular, that’s top-tier, world-class animation right there! Oh, and get this, Funimation even crowned it their Animation of the Decade. Talk about an award-winning series!

Ever wonder where Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba comes from? It’s based on Koyoharu Gotoge’s manga, which is huge with 23 volumes and over 150 million copies out there! Plus, the stunning animation you see is all thanks to ufotable.

Early start

So, how does Demon Slayer begin? Well, our main character, Tanjiro Kamado, faces a terrible tragedy when a demon wipes out his family. To make matters worse, his younger sister, Nezuko, turns into a demon too! Because of this, Tanjiro decides to join the Demon Slayer Corps – he’s on a mission to bring his sister back.

Want a quick recap of Demon Slayer’s anime run? It all began in April 2019 with the TV series, starting with the “Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc.” What a way to introduce us!

And then, who could forget that absolutely colossal hit, the “Mugen Train” movie? That dropped in October 2020, and everyone was talking about it! Following that, the “Mugen Train Arc” and “Entertainment District Arc” kept us hooked on TV from 2021 all the way into 2022.

Momentum

The Demon Slayer momentum has been non-stop! It kicked off in February 2023 with the “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Swordsmith Village- World Tour,” quickly followed by the “Swordsmith Village Arc” on TV that April.

Then came the massive “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training-” in February 2024, which broke records by hitting cinemas in over 140 countries and regions worldwide!

And guess what? A new chapter is about to unfold as the TV adaptation of the “Hashira Training Arc” is confirmed to begin airing in May.

Tadej Pogacar won his first Critérium du Dauphiné title just before Tour de France

By

Aiah Bathan

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June 17, 2025

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Tadej Pogacar, the reigning Tour de France champion, finished on top of the podium in the final stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné race. France’s Lenny Martinez won the stage.

The athlete, who won three stages throughout the race, secured his overall victory by 59 seconds ahead of his opponent, Dane Jonas Vingegaard. This achievement was made with just three weeks before the Tour de France begins.

With his win, Pogacar expressed: “It’s been a really amazing week… Once again today, the team did a great job. We managed to defend the (yellow) jersey and we can go home happy and prepare for the Tour.”

At just 26 years old, Pogacar has now achieved 99 career victories, making him the most successful active rider in professional cycling.

Highlights of the final stage race

The final stage of the race was a 133.3 km mountain course, alongside a tough uphill finish. Frenchman Lenny Martinez surpassed Enric Mas with 8 km left and secured the stage victory, finishing 34 seconds ahead of Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar. Making history, this was the first time a French rider won a stage at this race.

Here is the list of the stage eight results:

L Martinez (Fra/Bahrain Victorious) 3hrs 34mins 18secs
J Vingegaard (Den/Team Visma-Lease a Bike) +34secs
T Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) same time
M Jorgenson (USA/Team Visma-Lease a Bike) +40secs
R Evenepoel (Bel/Soudal Quick-Step) same time

Moreover, here is the list of the final classification that determined the overall winner:

1 T Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 29hrs 19mins 46secs

2 J Vingegaard (Den/Team Visma-Lease a Bike +59secs

3 F Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) +2mins 38secs

4 R Evenepoel (Bel/Soudal Quick-Step +4 mins 21secs

5 T Halland Johannessen (Nor/Uno-X Mobility) +6mins 12mins

In a social media post, Pogacar shared his recent milestone with a caption: “Honoured to add my name to the winners of the Dauphiné 🙌…A great week with the team, tough racing, good legs, and good vibes all around. Super happy to take the win here! 💛… Now it’s time for a little rest… and then, the final push toward Le Tour. 🇫🇷⏳”

Netizens expressed their excitement in the comments section and stated: “You are the best and your racing style never ceases to amaze me.👑🤍I’m really looking forward to seeing what you do at the Tour de France.🌈💛”, “I had no doubt your name was there too. Congratulations tadej bravo I wish you all the best in the world you deserve it. ❤️🔥🙌 (translated)”, Let’s go! Fingers crossed for the tour 💪❤️”, “Can’t wait for the tour 🙌🙌” and “Truly the greatest of all time.”

Mondo Duplantis won his 12th pole vault record in his home country, says he “checked off pretty much everything now” in his career

By

Aiah Bathan

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June 17, 2025

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Mondo Duplantis makes history again by breaking the pole vault record for the 12th time. This win was his most memorable achievement because it was held in his home country, Sweden.

A two-time Olympic gold medalist, Duplantis cleared 6.28 meters (20 feet and 7 inches) on his first try at a Diamond League event in Stockholm. He surpassed his latest record of 6.27 meters, which he achieved in February at an indoor meet in France.

With this, Duplantis expressed: “The first time I jumped in this stadium when I was 11 years old, it was rainy, cold and I jumped right under four meters… It was quite high for how young I was.”

He added: “I kept saying that it was the only thing that I was missing in the accolades, I guess you could say, was to break a world record here in Sweden… I really wanted to do it so badly. I checked off pretty much everything now.”

The athlete was born and raised in Louisiana, but he represents Sweden, where his mom came from.

“It’s a magical feeling… I wanted this so bad. I wanted to do this in front of everybody here in Stockholm, all my Swedes,” he said.

Duplantis’ athletic performance

Mondo Duplantis has broken the pole vault world record 12 times, adding one centimeter each time since 2020.

The 25-year-old athlete previously broke the record twice in Poland, twice in Belgrade, Serbia, twice in Eugene, Oregon, once in Scotland and China, and three times in France, including the 2024 Paris Olympics. He followed the same record-breaking strategy of Ukrainian Sergey Bubka, who raised the pole vault world record by just one centimeter back in the 1980s and ‘90s.

Between 1984 and 1994, Bubka broke the outdoor pole vault world record 17 times, and the indoor world record 18 times. This happened before World Athletics combined indoor and outdoor records into a single world record. In his sporting career, Bubka set a total of 35 world records.

The world record before Duplantis was 6.16 meters set by Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie in 2014.

In a social media post, the athlete shared his recent milestone with his fans with a caption: “It was a pleasant Sunday💙”

Netizens expressed their support to the athlete by commenting on the post: “What a legend! 🔥👏”, “Records are made to be broken by duplantis 🙌🔥”, “the best athlete in the history of athletics😍🔥💪🇸🇪”, “I feel like you always break this record”, “You are out of your mind!!!!! (translated)”, and “air duplantis goes higher and higher once again 🥲🐐”

37-year-old Tatjana Maria won the Queen’s Club Championship, says she “can still win trophies” at her age

By

Aiah Bathan

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June 17, 2025

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Tatjana Maria became the first woman in 52 years to win the Queen’s Club Championship title, after defeating 8th seed and World No. 15 Amanda Anisimova with a final scoreline of 6-3, 6-4.

This victory marks the biggest career title for the 37-year-old athlete. Maria, who is also a qualifier for the competition, became the oldest WTA 500 champion by winning against four top-20 players in a row.

With this, Maria expressed: “It means a lot to me, because actually, I’m 37 years old and I won this trophy today… In the past, people were always saying: ‘Oh, now maybe it’s time. You are too old. You are …’ Whatever reason they say sometimes. But actually, I’m a good example that even at my age you still can win big trophies.”

Coached by her husband, Charles-Édouard Maria, the athlete admitted: “I’m super proud of myself that I could win this tournament, because actually, I always believed in it, and my husband too. That’s also why we kept going, because there was always this belief that I can win big tournaments and that I can do great things on the court. I’m really, really proud of this.”

After her victory, Maria quickly ran to her player box to hug her husband and their two daughters: Charlotte (11), who also wants to be a tennis player, and Cecilia (4). Maria also remarked that one of her dreams is to play doubles professionally with her daughter, Charlotte.

“She will turn 12 at the end of the year, and you can start to play on tour when you’re 14… So I have a few more years to go, but it would really be my goal to do this, because I would love to play with her on the tour for doubles. She’s been on tour since she’s three months old, actually. It’s her dream. And if my body holds, if I really enjoy playing tennis, I would love to keep going and to play doubles with her.”

Maria’s tennis performance

Maria is known to be skilled on the grass surface, despite her recent struggles and her current ranking of No. 86. In 2022, she reached the Wimbledon semi-finals.

She is a player who does not rely on powerful shots, but rather uses clever and tricky shots to slow down her opponent and disrupt their rhythm on court. Maria uses slice shots on both her forehand and backhand, making it difficult for her opponents to hit. Moreover, she is also skilled at playing near the net with soft, precise touches.

In the final match against Amanda Anisimova, Maria made her look uneasy from the start. Known for powerful shots, Anisimova then committed many mistakes and couldn’t find her rhythm. Maria’s slicing kept Anisimova off balance, and it truly pushed her into tough positions. Maria also served well and defended strongly throughout the match.

With Maria’s playing style, Anisimova remarked: “Just not something you’re used to… I mean, most of my matches, I’m not getting a slice after every single ball. It’s definitely different, but everyone has their own way of playing. It’s just something you need to adjust and adapt to.”

In a social media post, Maria shared: “What can I say…… I am the Queen of Queen’s! ❤️”

Netizens expressed their support in the comments and stated: “Sooo happy for you 🥲 BRAVOO🥳🏆👊”, “So so good! Happy for you ❤️❤️❤️”, and “SUPER happy for you, Charles and your entire team that supported you until the last minute!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS Tatjana🎾🎾🎾🥇🥇🏆🏆🏆🏆!!!”

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0.4-month mid-year bonus for civil servants and junior officers, all get up to S$400 one-time payment

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“Different countries have different cultures…”

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Tadej Pogacar won his first Critérium du Dauphiné title just before Tour de France

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Duplantis’ athletic performance

37-year-old Tatjana Maria won the Queen’s Club Championship, says she “can still win trophies” at her age

Maria’s tennis performance

Singapore News

Singapore is becoming Southeast Asia’s main hub for luxury, finance, and yachting

Seah Kian Peng nominated for re-election as Speaker of Parliament

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Singapore is becoming Southeast Asia’s main hub for luxury, finance, and yachting

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Singapore Politics

Seah Kian Peng nominated for re-election as Speaker of Parliament

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