NAGOYA – Sibling rivalries can take on a whole new competitive meaning when it comes to sport, whether it is grappling on the mat or fighting over the blanket when rooming together.

There is also love – albeit slowly and sometimes grudgingly – as Team Singapore’s brother and sister pairs share their stories with The Sunday Times on the sidelines of the Asian Games.

Noah and Paul Lim (jiu-jitsu)

After Noah Lim hit the mat head first during his bout on Oct 1, resulting in a trip to the hospital for medical assessment, his older brother and fellow Asian Games jiu-jitsu athlete Paul was one of the first ones to check on him.

Paul, 28, told The Sunday Tmes: “Of course, I was worried for him. It’s his first proper injury, but he is actually quite resilient. I went straight away to the hospital to visit him, his condition stabilised, and I was able to go back and focus on my competition (the next day).”

Grappling, throws and injury are par for the course in their combat sport. They would know because as teenagers, a 17-year-old Paul started his jiu-jitsu journey when he “tried some moves” on Noah, then 14, on a carpet at home.

Rather than putting him off, the impromptu bouts inspired the younger sibling to also take up the sport. Eventually, they both made the national team and even won medals together at the 2019 SEA Games, where Noah clinched gold and Paul a bronze.

Paul said: “Competing as brothers is good because firstly, you carry the family’s name. And it’s like having two lives in competitions. If I do well, he’ll be proud of me, if he does well, I’ll be proud of him.”

Emma and Amanda Yap (gymnastics)

Home was also one of the first gymnastics training grounds for sisters Emma and Amanda Yap.

Emma first went for classes at two as part of a mother-daughter activity, before acting as a “first unofficial coach” for Amanda, giving instructions to the younger siste...