Competing at the Australian University Games, she walked away with a bronze medal in the 10,000-metre event.

She also shared a room with the gold-medal winning ten pin bowling team and swimmer Monique Schipp, who made seven from eight finals.

Chia’s bronze came somewhat as a surprise, as the 24-year-old Lambton resident had been gearing her training towards the triathlon, rather than the track events.

She also came 10th in the 5000 metres and 12th in the triathlon.

“It was my fourth and final year I could compete at the games, so I am really pleased to be able to get a medal,” she said.

Chia will return to Singapore early next after she graduates from her medicine degree.

“I’m glad I can go home with such good memories of Newcastle,” she said.

“I hope to continue running, swimming and cycling – I just enjoy the sport and taking part in local running races and triathlons.”

More than 160 students from the University of Newcastle competed in the games, with the team finishing 13th out of 41 universities – the second highest ranking by a regional team.

The Newcastle team also picked up gold medals in Tae Kwon Do, women’s hockey and mixed beach volley ball, and minor medals in men’s decathlon, women’s soccer, women’s beach volley ball and mixed netball.