She has also been awarded Singapore's Bintang Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Star) by the Government. 

The 33-year-old, who has cerebral palsy and is deaf, was the only Singapore athlete to get onto the podium by finishing second in the individual freestyle and third in the individual championship test, grade Ia. 

It followed her performance at Beijing in 2008 when she won bronze medals in the same events - the first that Singapore had ever won at the Paralympics. 

She flew from her base in London especially for the ceremony at the Singapore Turf Club's Casuarina Room.


"[Laurentia's] achievements have grasped the imagination of Singaporeans and her resolve has exemplified the true spirit of sportsmanship," said Sam Tan, senior Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Her feat as the only Asian equestrian medallist so far in the history of the Paralympics makes her accomplishment even more inspiring."

Tan, who had started riding at the age of three as a form of physiotherapy, is already looking ahead to Rio 2016. 

"I hope to be in Rio if I'm selected and I will try my best [to win a gold medal], but the important thing for me is to improve on my personal score," she said.

"However, the standard is improving, so it will be difficult."

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