Breaking Ground At WNXL Portugal:
A Singaporean Woman’ s Journey To Portugal
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Breaking Ground At WNXL Portugal:
A Singaporean Woman’ s Journey To Portugal
T h e NXL Europe kicked off its 2025 season in vibrant Lisbon, Portugal, from 11-13 April, featuring three divisions: Professional Men’ s, Professional Women’ s( WNXL), and Semi-Pro X-Ball. It was highly anticipated to be a showcase of skill and clever plays in Europe. But amid the excitement and elite competition, one might ask: what business does a Singaporean like me have at Megacampo Adventure Park on the outskirts of Portugal, nearly 11,775 kilometres( 7,316 miles) away from home?
The journey began with a chance conversation two months earlier at TXBL in Pattaya, Thailand. Chris van Weidmann-Truong, who plays with WNXL team Drakaina, mentioned a guesting opportunity for the upcoming European leg. That casual moment of connection planted the seed. Encouragement from friends and teammates put the fries in the bag. I found myself gearing up for a solo 19-hour journey to a foreign continent with return tickets costing SGD 1,200( around USD 925) to compete alongside a team I had never played with.
Jane Koh( L), Amber Wong( R)
The decision wasn’ t just about playing paintball. It was about growth, challenge, and stepping into unfamiliar territory. I wasn’ t there to prove a point, but simply to play, learn, and improve like any other athlete striving to get better. Still, I understood that coming from Southeast Asia, where competitive paintball, especially for women, is still developing, my presence at WNXL Europe carried added meaning. It was an opportunity to gain experience, exchange ideas, and show that women from our region can hold their own on international fields. Having organized women’ s paintball
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