HER job includes going underwater to clear bombs.
She is a major in the navy's elite diving unit, where the training
is as tough as that of the commandos.
Yesterday, Major Esther Tan, 32, picked up another honour - she was
named Her World's Young Woman Achiever of the Year 2006.
The award was presented at a dinner at Four Season's Hotel.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth
and Sports, was guest-of-honour.
The chairman of the competition's judging panel, Associate
Professor Simon Tay, described this year's contenders as having a
'theme of excellence plus X', not only in their jobs but also their
personal contributions.
Major Tan was the unit's first female diver when she joined it in
2000.
She was among those involved in the search for the missing naval
officers in the 2005 RSS Courageous collision with a container
ship.
She is an ardent endurance athlete, and has taken part in many
triathlons, marathons and adventure races.
Said the eldest of three children: 'I didn't set out to break
stereotypes. I did it because of the love of adventure and the
thrill.
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'It also goes beyond just the physical, it is also about the mental
capacity, the endurance.... and how far you are willing to push
yourself.'
Her rough-and-tough hobby has taken her to compete in places such
as Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, China and the US. Now, she is
eyeing a big race at what she calls the 'Olympics of adventure
races' - the Adventure Racing World Championship at the end of
May.
The seven-day race, to be held in the rugged terrain of the Western
Highlands in Scotland, will see her competing in a team of four.
They will trek, kayak, mountain-bike, swim and abseil, among other
things.
Said one of her close friends, Ms Jasmine Wong, 31, who has known
Major Tan for eight years, and who is also an adventure racer:
'Esther really fits this image of pursuing excellence in whatever
field she chooses.
'She loves challenges. When she sets her mind on something, she
pursues it relentlessly.'
With such adrenalin-pumping races and an exciting job, Major Tan
doesn't find time for a date.
She chuckled: 'I guess my ridiculous hours packed with activities
do not allow me to, and it is also not something I'm thinking about
right now.'
