[Media Release] Team Singapore kicks off first day of Citi World Para Swimming World Series Singapore 2023 with a world record and 2 podium finishes
Above: Winners for Women’s 200m Free events (Left to Right: Mick Massey, Performance Director of National Para Swim Team, Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, President Of Singapore Disability Sports Council, Preston Tan, Vice-President of Toyota, Nattharinee Khajhonmatha, Silver Medalist, Yip Pin Xiu, Gold Medalist, Chan Yui Lam, Bronze Medalist and Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Social and Family Development) Team Singapore athletes had a fantastic start to the first day of the World Para Swimming World Series, with a silver medal from Toh Wei Soong in the S7 Men’s 50m Fly, and a world record and gold by Yip Pin Xiu for Women’s 200m Free events. Toh touched home in 29.99s, squeezing in a finish between Columbians Carlos Zarate and Nelson Crispin Corzo with 976 World Para Swimming (WPS) points, and secured Singapore’s first medal to a rousing audience in this home edition. The atmosphere went to an all-time high when Yip Pin Xiu broke the world record for S2 Women’s 200m Free with a timing of 4:41.46, almost six seconds faster than the previous record held by China’s Feng Yazhu. She finished with 1003 pointsto win gold, 95 points ahead of Thailand’s Nattharinee Khajhonmatha. Chan Yui Lam of Hong Kon was third with 893 points. “I did not expect the world record because I just started swimming the 200m last year. It was only during the heats when I swam just 0.4 seconds behind it – I knew I had to go for it,” said Yip. “Singaporeans have been so supportive here at OCBC Aquatic Centre and I really enjoy swimming in this pool. To break another world record again, eight years after my 50m backstroke at the ASEAN Para Games is very special to me. I am very grateful that what my team has done in the lead up to this meet has come to fruition.” The World Para Swimming World Series is competed using the Multi-Class Point System (MCPS) where each swimmer’s result is compared to the world record for their specific disability and awarded points. The closer the performance is to the relevant record, the higher the points. The 2023 World Series will take place in 9 countries, across 4 continents and Singapore is the only Asian stop. Hosted by the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC), this is the second time Singapore has hosted the event. The action in the pool will continue Sunday, 30 April and Monday, 1 May. Tickets are on sale here. ### Please download full media release from here.
[Media Release] Local Students Gain Inspiring Experience Meeting Para Swim Stars of the Para Swimming World Series Singapore 2023
(Above) Spanish Paralympian Teresa Perales (back middle), meeting with learning journey participants from Cherie Hearts @ Charlton, together with (on her right) Ms Mercedes Alonso Frayle, Spanish Ambassador to Singapore, and (on her left) Ms Angeline Peh, Vice President, Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC). Over 400 students, including preschoolers as young as four years old, were given a unique opportunity to observe para swimmers in action and learn about the different roles involved in organizing a world-level parasport competition, thanks to free learning journeys provided by the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) during the only Asian leg of the Para Swimming World Series 2023. Classification, a system unique to parasport competitions that determines which athletes are eligible to compete in a sport and how athletes are grouped together by the degree of activity limitation resulting from their impairments, was one of the aspects the students learned about. During the free learning journeys, students were introduced to themes of inclusivity and accessibility and had the chance to learn about the different adaptations and equipment used by para swimmers, including tappers who use a long device, akin to a fishing rod with a tennis ball at the tip, to tap visually impaired swimmers when they are approaching the end of the pool to avoid injury or to make a turn if necessary. The students had the opportunity to meet two para swim legends, Teresa Perales and Yip Pin Xiu, who are internationally recognized for their achievements in the sport. Mark Tan, a lecturer at ITE College Central who volunteered as one of the facilitators for the learning journeys, said, “The activities are interesting and informative, and good for encouraging inquisitive minds. For older students, it’s good for them to be more accepting and understanding of people with differing abilities, and to see that they are still able to achieve their goals.” Kelly Fan, Executive Director of SDSC, emphasized the importance of inclusivity in sports, stating, “We believe that sports should be accessible to all, regardless of ability. The learning journeys were a chance for our younger generation to get an early start in witnessing the power of sport in not only breaking down barriers but also building resilience.” The Para Swimming World Series will be held at the OCBC Aquatic Centre from April 29th to May 1st, 2023. Singapore marks the 5th leg of the 2023 World Series and the only Asian leg. This is the 2nd time that Singapore is hosting the event, the first being 2019. A total of 174 para swimmers from 21 countries would be racing over the three days, using a multi-class point system. Tickets are on sale on SISTIC website at $10 for a day pass and $25 for a 3-day season pass. A livestream of the heats and finals will also be available on MeWatch. ### Please download full media release from here.
