Swimming off with a bang!
MediaCorp TV
Story by Kwok Kar Peng
Photos by Lee Poh Ling and Kwok Kar Peng
The opening ceremony for The Champion (Ren Wo Ao You) was held a couple of days ago, and boy, was it teeming with bronzed hunks and svelte athletic beauties!
Nevermind the sweltering heat and the eye-tearing swirls of smoke rising from the joss sticks and candles.
Hey, I could even forgive them for making me troop down to Toa Payoh Swimming Complex so early in the morning.
But what I have to gripe about is this, why couldn’t Yan Xingshu change into his swimming trunks?
The Champion drama synopsis
Lu Kaixin (Fiona Xie), He Yixuan (Jessica Lao), Guo Jingwen (Jeanette Aw), Wang Tong (Felicia Chin) and He Yilin (Xiao Qiao) are members of the Flying Fish Swimming Team. But they can hardly be considered a ‘team’, since they remain non-committal to Flying Fish and swimming competitions.
After a pathetic swim meet where only 2 of the swimmers turned up, the manager of Flying Fish decided it is time to whip the girls up into shape.
The new coach, Wu Zhenkang (Yan Xingshu), held the national record for the 50metres freestyle swim. Even in a competitive and materialistic society, he chooses to remain a swimming coach, leading his career-minded wife Huang Anni (Jamie Yeo) to leave him. With his young son Wu Jie in tow, Zhenkang returns to Singapore.
Coaching the lackadaisical swimmers is by no means an easy feat. His strict rules and physical and mental training are met with much resistance from the girls. With various love, friendship and the run-of-the-mill obstacles strewn along their paths, it remains to be seen which of the girls will emerge a true champion.
Who’s Who
Guo Jingwen – played by Jeanette Aw
A strong, easygoing, principled and optimistic student swimmer who also teaches young children how to swim, among her many other jobs.
Lu Kaiwei – played by Qi Yuwu
Kaixin’s older brother. A sunny and passionate diving instructor torn between He Yixuan and Guo Jingwen.
Lu Kaixin – played by Fiona Xie
A lively, naïve and talkative student swimmer who swears by the astrological signs and their predictions. Is locked in a love triangle with He Yilin and Xie Jiajun.
He Yixuan – played by newcomer Jessica Lao
An independent, beautiful and charismatic assistant diving instructor who refuses to be tied down by pressure and restrictions.
He Yilin – played by Taiwanese singer/actress Xiao Qiao
The younger sister of Yixuan is a competitive perfectionist who will not stop at using underhanded methods to get what she wants.
Xie Jiajun – played by Taiwanese singer/actor Toro
A smart and handsome medical student as well as a national water-polo player. Is highly analytical, gentlemanly, athletic and understanding.
Wu Zhenkang – played by Taiwanese actor Yan Xingshu
Strict, with high expectations of himself and others, and has a reputation of being a coach from hell. But underneath the steely exterior is a compassionate man who will always lend his students a helping hand.
Wang Tong – played by Felicia Chin
An individualistic student swimmer and an aloof loner.
Zhang Jingxiang – played by Julian Hee
A down-to-earth, considerate lifeguard whose occasional impulsiveness creates hilarious results. Is hopelessly devoted to Lu Kaixin.
