# Singaporean Achievements Celebrated by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong SM Lee highlights recent international successes in law, sports, and the arts. - **Source:** [The Independent SG](https://theindependent.sg) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ad723182-32d9-4e52-b639-2f6690a3c29b ## Public Recognition of Excellence Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently used a social media post to celebrate Singaporean citizens achieving international acclaim. He highlighted successes across law, sports, and the arts, emphasizing that these accomplishments reflect years of dedication. The minister noted that such milestones bring pride to the nation and demonstrate Singapore's growing global influence. ## Historic Judicial Appointment Diplomat Rena Lee achieved a significant milestone by being elected as a judge for the International Court of Justice. She secured the highest number of votes in the UN General Assembly, becoming the first Singaporean and Southeast Asian woman to hold this position. Her term is scheduled to officially commence in February 2027. ## Youth Olympic Gold Medal Sixteen-year-old Ng Zhe Nin secured a gold medal in women’s taijiquan at the Youth Olympic Games held in Dakar, Senegal, on November 3. This victory marks Singapore’s first-ever medal at these specific games. The achievement is particularly historic as it coincides with wushu making its official debut as a medal sport. ## Kitefoiling Dominance Recognized Twenty-year-old kitefoiler Max Maeder received a nomination for World Sailing’s Male Sailor of the Year on October 26. This recognition follows an impressive, unbeaten run across the major international circuit throughout the current year. Maeder remains a prominent figure in competitive sailing, consistently performing at the highest level of the sport. ## Success in Cinematic Arts Filmmakers Ervin Han and Priscilla Ang received major accolades for their recent cinematic works. Han co-directed the animated drama The Violinist, which won Best Animated Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards on October 30. Simultaneously, Ang’s debut film, Ah Girl, secured the Best Film award at the Singapore International Film Festival. ## The Village Support System SM Lee emphasized that individual success is rarely a solitary endeavor, stating that it takes a village to succeed. He credited the families, mentors, teachers, and colleagues who provide essential encouragement and support. This collective effort is identified as the foundational element behind the diverse achievements of these talented Singaporean individuals. ## Encouragement for Future Aspirants Beyond celebrating current winners, the Senior Minister issued a call to action for all Singaporeans with dreams and aspirations. He encouraged citizens to persist in their pursuits and give their best effort regardless of their field. This message serves as a broader policy encouragement for national talent development and personal ambition. ## Broadening National Cultural Impact The recognition of these individuals signals a shift in how Singapore highlights its soft power on the global stage. By bridging the gap between high-level diplomacy and grassroots sports, the government aims to foster a culture of excellence. These achievements serve as benchmarks for future generations to pursue international competitive standards. ## Sources covering this story - https://theindependent.sg/sm-lee-singaporeans-have-recently-been-shining-on-world-stage-in-law-sports-arts-it-takes-a-village-to-succeed — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._