Max Maeder

Maximilian Maeder (born 12 September 2006) is a Singaporen kitesurfer. He is the leading Formula Kite World champion. When he was 16 years old, he became the youngest winner in any Olympic sailing class competition. 

Maeder won the bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in the Men's Formula Kite event. He won the Formula Kite youth world champion in the years 2021 to 2023. He won many open championships across Europe, Asia and Pan America. He is the only competitor from Singapore to win a medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics. 

 Early life  
Maeder was born in Singapore to a family with mixed Eurasian heritage. His father, Valentin Maeder, is a Swiss German and his mother,  Hwee Keng Maeder, is Singaporean Chinese. He is the eldest among his two younger brothers. At the age of six, his father introduced him to kiteboarding at younger than 10 years old. By the age of 11, Maeder had already competed in his first competitive race.

 Personal life  
Maximilian Maeder was born on 12 September 2006 in Singapore to Valentin and Hwee Keng (née Teng) Maeder. His father is a Swiss, and his mother is a Chinese Singaporean. He has two younger brothers, Karl and Valentin Jr., who are respectively 2 and 9 years younger. Maeder grew up in a household with many different races; In addition to his English, Maeder also understands Mandarin, German, Swiss German and French.  Maeder was homeschooled growing up.
 Awards and nominations 

Maeder was nominated for the following lists and awards:
Nominated for The Straits Times' Athlete of the Year 2021
Nominated for The Straits Times' Athlete of the Year 2022
Won the SNOC Sportsboy of the Year 2022
Won the SNOC Sportsboy of the Year 2023
Nominated for Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2023
Won the SNOC Sportsboy of the Year 2024

References

Category:Olympians for Singapore
Category:2006 births
Category:Living people
Category:Olympic bronze medalists
Category:Medalists at the 2024 Summer Olympics