Terry Tay.
Terry Tay.
Terry Tay.
Former Singapore National Gymnast. Founder of Kineote.
Former Singapore National Gymnast. Founder of Kineote.
Former Singapore National Gymnast. Founder of Kineote.
A life in movement.
A practice of progress.
A life in movement.
A practice of progress.
A life in movement.
A practice of progress.
Terry brings his gymnastics background into speaking, organisational work and movement coaching. Kineote connects those experiences with the goals of each person and team.
Terry brings his gymnastics background into speaking, organisational work and movement coaching. Kineote connects those experiences with the goals of each person and team.
Book a Time with Terry →
How it started
How it started
How it started
Terry started gymnastics at six. A year later, he quit - apparently because he talked too much in class and kept getting punished with handstands. Not exactly a promising start. He eventually found his way back, and what began as a childhood activity became more than two decades in the sport.
Terry started gymnastics at six. A year later, he quit - apparently because he talked too much in class and kept getting punished with handstands. Not exactly a promising start. He eventually found his way back, and what began as a childhood activity became more than two decades in the sport.
More than two decades in the sport
More than two decades in the sport
More than two decades in the sport
Terry represented Singapore for 17 years, eventually serving as the National Team Captain. His career took him through multiple World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and South East Asian (SEA) Games - and to more competition halls than he probably remembers.
Terry represented Singapore for 17 years, eventually serving as the National Team Captain. His career took him through multiple World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and South East Asian (SEA) Games - and to more competition halls than he probably remembers.
Career highlights
2007
2007
First international competition; bronze on vault
First international competition; bronze on vault
2013
2013
First SEA male gymnast with a named skill
First SEA male gymnast with a named skill
2015
2015
Historic SEA Games team medal
Historic SEA Games team medal
2021
2021
Captained Singapore to first overseas SEA Games team medal
Captained Singapore to first overseas SEA Games team medal
2023
2023
Team Singapore flagbearer
Team Singapore flagbearer
2024
2024
Retired from competitive gymnastics
Retired from competitive gymnastics
Along the way came a few milestones - becoming the first Southeast Asian male gymnast with a skill named after him, captaining Singapore’s men’s team to its first overseas SEA Games team medal, and carrying the Singapore flag at the 2023 SEA Games.
Along the way came a few milestones - becoming the first Southeast Asian male gymnast with a skill named after him, captaining Singapore’s men’s team to its first overseas SEA Games team medal, and carrying the Singapore flag at the 2023 SEA Games.
“Not bad for someone who once quit because he talked too much in class.”
“Not bad for someone who once quit because he talked too much in class.”
“Not bad for someone who once quit because he talked too much in class.”
What stayed with him
What stayed with him
What stayed with him
The medals and competitions are one part of the story. What stayed with Terry were the less visible parts - showing up when progress was slow, putting in the work when no one was watching, paying attention to the fundamentals, learning through repetition and adapting when circumstances changed.
The medals and competitions are one part of the story. What stayed with Terry were the less visible parts - showing up when progress was slow, putting in the work when no one was watching, paying attention to the fundamentals, learning through repetition and adapting when circumstances changed.
Those ideas now shape how Terry approaches coaching, speaking and organisational work - start with the person and the context, understand what matters, then figure out the next useful step.
Those ideas now shape how Terry approaches coaching, speaking and organisational work - start with the person and the context, understand what matters, then figure out the next useful step.
Photo by Clement Lee
At Canossa Catholic Primary School
Still in the sport - just differently
Still in the sport - just differently
Still in the sport - just differently
Retirement from competition did not mean stepping away from sport. Terry continues to contribute through athlete representation, governance and community work across Singapore Gymnastics, Commonwealth Sport and the Olympic Council of Asia, following earlier involvement with the Singapore National Olympic Council. He also mentors younger athletes and supports broader efforts around athlete wellbeing, safeguarding and safer sport.
Retirement from competition did not mean stepping away from sport. Terry continues to contribute through athlete representation, governance and community work across Singapore Gymnastics, Commonwealth Sport and the Olympic Council of Asia, following earlier involvement with the Singapore National Olympic Council. He also mentors younger athletes and supports broader efforts around athlete wellbeing, safeguarding and safer sport.
These roles have broadened Terry’s perspective from performing within sport to thinking more deeply about the systems, organisations and communities around it - and how they can better support the people within them.
These roles have broadened Terry’s perspective from performing within sport to thinking more deeply about the systems, organisations and communities around it - and how they can better support the people within them.
Away from the work
Terry is equally happy talking about food, finding the next bubble tea, or settling down with something to read. He is firmly in the live to eat camp.
Terry is equally happy talking about food, finding the next bubble tea, or settling down with something to read. He is firmly in the live to eat camp.