#HerPurposeIsHere – Sumiko Tan

Currently busy with her two-week-old son, Sumiko Tan is a household name in the Singapore endurance sport circle. She started competing in running and swimming when she was in primary school, and then picked up distance running in secondary school and junior college.

She did her first marathon at 18 and it was also around the same time that her first running coach bought her a road bike to encourage her to take part in triathlons.

Sumiko has previously represented Singapore in the ASEAN University Games for running and at the World University Triathlon Championships, and she was trying out for the SEA Games triathlon squad two years ago when she found out she was pregnant!

The 34-year-old mother of two is now a swim coach of her own Sttitude Swim School, after being a physical education and mathematics schoolteacher.

She is also still competitive in triathlons (consistently racking up podium finishes) and is planning to compete at the Ironman 70.3 Langkawi at the end of next month.

“It is not easy to manage training with work and the kids, especially with two now. It takes a lot of prioritising, discipline and sacrifice, and a very supportive husband who strong believes I should not give up my identity as an athlete even with extra motherhood duties,”

she said. “I do my training in the morning before work starts and learn how to make good use of whatever limited time I have to put in quality workouts.

PURPOSE is her go-to choice of trisuit, as it is “very comfortable and easy to wear”. She said, “When I am racing, I can easily zip down to enable more ventilation for easier breathing.

The mesh construction on the shoulders and arms allow me more range of motion and encourages breathability.”

She also likes that PURPOSE products are very well thought out. “It is evident that PURPOSE takes in feedback of common problems faced by athletes and designs accordingly to the needs of athletes.

“I also like how the brand embraces athletes of all levels and backgrounds, from recreational athlete to elite athletes, including mothers and our Muslim friends.

I love how PURPOSE pushes the idea of wholeheartedly embracing every individual regardless of culture and ability.”