How National Athlete, Diyanah Aqidah, Champions Both Sport and Education in SIM.
Not many people know that Singapore’s taekwondo champion Diyanah Aqidah once took dance classes in primary school. Today, that same girl is a SEA Games gold medallist, a proud graduate and a recipient of the SIM–University of Stirling Sport Scholarship, a programme under the SIM Impact Fund.
Diyanah Aqidah's journey into taekwondo was never planned. The sport was a compulsory activity in her secondary school. But after winning her first inter-school gold medal at just 13, everything changed. What started as a school requirement quickly became a lifelong passion.
"Dance taught me rhythm, confidence, and, most importantly, flexibility — which became a huge advantage when I started taekwondo and developed as an athlete," she reflects.
By Secondary 3, she was already team captain. Her dedication soon brought her onto the international stage, where she represented Singapore at the 2023 SEA Games, clinching silver and bronze, and later placed in the top five at the Asian Games.
But her defining moment came after graduating from SIM.
In December 2025, competing in her fifth SEA Games, Diyanah partnered with Nicholas Khaw in the mixed recognised poomsae pair event at the SEA Games 2025. Together, they defeated Vietnam 8.67–8.44 in the final—securing Singapore's first gold medal of the Games. It also marked Singapore's first taekwondo gold since 2015, and the nation's first-ever title in the mixed poomsae pair event.
Choosing SIM–University of Stirling: Sport, Strategy, and a Bigger Vision
Diyanah's story goes beyond medals. It is about building a future beyond sport.
When choosing her degree, she enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Sport Studies and Marketing programme at SIM Global Education, in partnership with the University of Stirling.
"It was the perfect fit. I could learn more about sports not just as an athlete, but also from a management and branding perspective," she says.
The programme equips students with knowledge in sports management and marketing, preparing them for careers within the global sports industry.
The Power of Showing Up Every Single Day
Balancing elite sports with academics was never easy. There were early mornings, late nights, competitions abroad, and coursework waiting back home. There were moments of exhaustion and uncertainty.
But Diyanah showed up anyway. She colour-coded her calendar. She communicated early with her lecturers. She leaned on her classmates. And she leaned on SIM.
"My lecturers and classmates supported me by sharing notes, with understanding and encouragement. It made me feel like I wasn't alone balancing school and sport," she shares.
A key pillar of that support came through the SIM—University of Stirling Sports Scholarship, available exclusively to Singapore citizen TeamSG athletes. It covers 50% of programme fees, helping ease the financial commitment of higher education while they continue training and competing at an elite level.
For Diyanah, this support meant she could focus on both her studies and the sport without compromise, supported by a flexible academic structure that allowed her to balance both commitments effectively.
More Than an Athlete: Growing Beyond the Sport
Beyond competitions, Diyanah's journey has also been shaped by her desire to give back. She often supports her coach in mentoring younger athletes, guiding them through the same challenges she once faced as a beginner.
"I see myself in them, starting as a white belt and struggling to remember patterns. Watching them improve makes me so proud," she shares.
At the same time, her student life at SIM added another meaningful layer to her journey. Even though she rarely trained on campus due to her competition schedule, she still cherished the opportunities to represent SIM at events like the Taekwondo Open Championship (TOC), an inter-tertiary competition in Singapore. She also represented Singapore at the ASEAN University Games (AUG) and World University Games (WUG), experiences that deepened her sense of pride and belonging.
"Competing at TOC with the SIM team and having their support was amazing. It was an unforgettable experience."
Through these experiences, she has grown not just as an athlete, but as a person.
The People Behind the Journey
Her family has always been her biggest source of motivation. Their encouragement and belief in her kept her going, even on the toughest days.
At the same time, her experience at SIM gave her the support she needed to balance both school and sport.
"SIM gave me the space to grow as both a student and an athlete," she reflects.
What Comes Next
Now a graduate, Diyanah is focused on her sporting career and preparing for upcoming competitions. Winning gold at the SEA Games is a huge milestone, but it is not the end of her journey.
She is also thinking ahead. The knowledge she gained from pursuing sport studies and marketing will eventually support her transition into the sports industry, whether in branding, management, or something new she discovers along the way.
Her journey is also a reminder for others who are trying to balance different passions. As she puts it, "It's possible. It's not always easy, but with the right mindset and support, you can make it work."
About SIM – University of Stirling Sports Scholarship
The SIM-University of Stirling Sports Scholarship, a programme under the SIM Impact Fund, provides financial support to TeamSG athletes pursuing the University of Stirling's programmes at SIM Global Education. This scholarship supports student-athletes in balancing competitive sport and higher education. As a spexEducation Partner of HPSI under SpexSG, SIM Global Education offers eligible TeamSG athletes from HPSI a 50% subsidy on programme fees, enabling them to pursue academic qualifications while competing at the highest level. The SIM Impact Fund is a $60 million, 10-year transformative initiative that creates pathways and boosts the employability of learners.