12-time Singaporean Participant Finally Wins Asia's Most Iconic Endurance Challenge

Second Female Winner in History of MediaCorp Subaru Car Challenge to Bring Home Grand Prize

30 October 2018, Singapore - Analiza Mokhtar from Singapore has emerged victorious in the 2018 Mediacorp Subaru Car Challenge, after clocking an impressive timing of 75 hours, 17 minutes and 58 seconds. The 40-year-old, the second female to win the Challenge in 17 years, has finally succeeded in bringing home the Grand Prize of a Subaru XV 2.0i-S worth S$70,800 without Certificate of Entitlement (COE), on her 12th attempt.

After battling sleep deprivation, hunger, and extreme weather conditions for four days, Mokhtar was visibly overwhelmed from her win. She said, “This year’s Challenge has been extremely tough for me, as I was unwell, and the unpredictable weather conditions were really testing. But I’ve always believed there is no room for excuses if I am serious about realising my dream. After 12 years of participating and coming in as first runner-up twice, it’s a bittersweet moment for me tonight – I’m really going to miss the Challenge.”

It was a neck and neck battle between Mokhtar and the first-runner up Phraitoon Sanguannam, 33, from Thailand, who dropped out at 75 hours and 17 minutes, just a mere 58 seconds before. Second runner-up Mazlinah Ahmad, 53, from Singapore, dropped out at 74 hours and 35 minutes.

Sanguannam walked away with cash prizes totalling S$12,300 after winning the S$5,000 prize for first runner-up, S$5,000 for being Asian Winner (the last-standing regional contestant), S$1,000 for being Country Winner (the last-standing representative from his country), and an additional S$1,000 from his share of the Country Team Winner award. He also won an extra S$100 each time he surpassed the 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour marks.

The Thailand team was awarded the title of Country Team Winner and a cash prize of S$10,000, divided equally amongst the team of ten members, after participants achieved the longest combined standing time of 475 hours and 15 minutes. In recognition of the efforts by other regional contestants, the last-standing representative from each participating regional country also leaves with the title of Country Winner and a cash prize of S$1,000 (please refer to Annex A below for the list of Country Winners).

Presenting the prizes to the winners were Mr Glenn Tan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Tan Chong International Limited, Mr Vincent Goi, Head of Regional Marketing of Motor Image Enterprises, and Ms Irene Lim, Chief Customer Officer of Mediacorp.

“This year’s Subaru Car Challenge has seen both local and regional participants putting up a close fight – with each of them showcasing a strong front amidst very unpredictable weather changes,” said Mr Glenn Tan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Tan Chong International Limited. “Analiza shared with me that she wanted to be an inspiration to her daughter, to never give up no matter what, and with sheer determination, nothing is impossible and you will succeed in any challenge you face. I am extremely inspired by Analiza’s victory, and share her joy in finally winning after 12 attempts.”

“Nothing about the Mediacorp Subaru Car Challenge is ever predictable, but this year we had persistent rain, two women among the final three standing, and ultimately a female winner – only the second in the history of the Challenge. It was an outstanding display of endurance and indomitable spirit,” said Ms Irene Lim, Chief Customer Officer, Mediacorp. “Congratulations to Analiza on her hard-won victory, 12 years in the making! We hope that she will enjoy her new wheels. At the same time, I want to thank every contestant and staff who has been working tirelessly, our partners, and of course our titular presenter Subaru.”

Unpredictable weather conditions over the past four days, including multiple heavy thunderstorm necessitating suspensions of the Challenge, tested contestants’ endurance to their limits. In spite of rain or shine, supporters stood firm throughout the event, cheering family members and friends on from the side lines. Many also supported the participants through an online game where they could win their participant-of-choice additional five-minute breaks, on top of the standard breaks every six hours.

Jointly issued by Mediacorp Pte Ltd and Subaru.

Annex A

Country Winners