Marcus Yap

Marcus Yap Zhe Mian (born 30 January 1994) is a Singaporean Powerlifting coach and powerlifter. He became the first Singaporean to break a powerlifting world record and win a medal at a world championship. In his career, he has broken two world records and six Asian records. He led the Singapore team to victory in several Asian Championships as well as coaching his younger brother, Matthew Yap, to break a total of four world records.

Early life With a background in Badminton and being nominated to represent Singapore in the Youth Olympic Games, Marcus picked up the sport of Powerlifting in and has competed in several international competitions like the Asia & Oceania Championships 2014 held in Melbourne, Australia, the 3rd IPF World Classic Championships held in Salo, Finland, the Asia & Oceania Championships 2016 held in Christchurch, New Zealand and the Asian Championships 2017 held in Kerala, India.

Yap developed a passion for coaching shortly after, and started in his household. Under the influence of Marcus, both of his younger brothers, Matthew Yap and Matthias Yap, picked up the sport of Powerlifting and are currently Asian Champions and have broken several world records as well.

Powerlifting career Yap started Powerlifting in 2012 and made his international debut at the end of 2014 winning the Asia & Oceania Championship title. In 2015, he competed in the IPF World Championships and became the first Singaporean to break a world record in Powerlifting. This was the start of his medal haul which also sparked his passion for coaching.

Coaching career Yap has coached a team of athletes on the international platform, including his two younger brothers, Matthew and Matthias, who competed in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF)'s Asian Championships in 2016, 2017 & 2018, and who have broken several Asian and World records. He also led the first Singaporean, Farhanna Farid, to achieve a gold medal in an international competition in the Women's Open category.

Asia & Oceania Championships 2016 (Christchurch, New Zealand) Yap coached his younger brother, Matthew, who later made his debut on the international platform winning his first ever Asian title with 4 gold medals. This was Marcus' first appearance at a World Championship event to solely coach.

Asian Classic Championships 2017 (Kerala, India) Yap coached both his younger brothers, Matthew & Matthias and both were victorious. Matthew became the Asian Champion and also broke three world records in two categories (squat & total/overall), while Matthias got the silver medal. This was Matthias' debut on the international platform. With the results of:

Matthew Yap won the Asian Championship with a gold medal in the Total/Overall and set a new Asian squat record at 248 kg in the Men's Under 74 kg Junior category.

Matthias Yap won the Asian Championship with a gold medal in the Total/Overall in the Men's Under 74 kg Sub Junior category.

Achievements

Schoolyard Meet 2014 (Under 59 kg, Junior) - Gold, Best Lifter by Wilks (2nd) Asia & Oceania Championships 2016 (Under 59 kg, Junior) - Gold Total/Overall, National & Asian record in the Squat (185 kg) Singapore Powerlifting Open 2015 (Under 59 kg, Junior) - Gold Total/Overall, National record in the Squat (185 kg) and Deadlift (222.5 kg) 3rd IPF World Classic Championships 2015 (Under 59 kg, Junior) - Silver Total/Overall, Gold in the Squat (185 kg), Silver in the Deadlift (223 kg) and Silver in the Total/Overall (523 kg). National, Asian and World record in the Deadlift and national record in the Total/Overall. Asia & Oceania Championships 2016 (Under 59 kg, Open) - Gold Total/Overall. Gold in the Squat (196 kg), Gold in the Bench Press (117.5 kg), Gold in the Deadlift (222.5 kg) and Gold in the Total/Overall (536 kg). National and Asian record in the Squat. Asia Classic Championships 2017 (Under 59 kg, Junior) - Gold Total/Overall. Gold in the Squat (187.5 kg), Silver in the Bench Press (110 kg), Gold in the Deadlift (225 kg) and Gold in the Total/Overall (522.5 kg). National record in the Deadlift. Singapore Powerlifting Invitational 2018 (Under 59 kg, Junior) - Gold Total/Overall