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Toh added an eighth medal to his Asian Para Games haul with a 400m free S7 bronze. Photo: SNPC/ Dyan Tjhia
Aichi-Nagoya marks swimmer Toh Wei Soong’s fourth Asian Para Games appearance, but some things never change.
Just as he did three years ago in Hangzhou, Singapore’s most bemedalled athlete at the Games opened the Republic’s medal account, this time at the Nagoya City General Gymnasium Rainbow Pool.
The reigning silver medallist clinched bronze in the 400m freestyle S7 on Monday (Oct 19) evening for his “lucky number eight” medal at the Games.
“I feel really good. This is my fourth Asian Para Games, and I started all the way back in 2014 when I was 16… It’s been a long journey from when I was a kid… It’s a real privilege and treasure.”
Toh demonstrated his world-class top-end speed, leading the charge over the first three laps before slipping back to third, where he eventually finished.
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Toh led the field in the first 150m. Photo: SNPC/ Dyan Tjhia
Toh clocked 5min 24.23sec to finish behind good friend Ernie Gawilan of the Philippines, who claimed gold in 4:56.72, and China’s Zhang Yilong (5:01.36).
“(My plan was to) just hang loose and go out at a good pace and try to come back faster… It’s a good way to start the Games,” the 28-year-old said. “The great thing about going straight into the final is that it’s a sprinter’s dream… You just gamble everything on the final.”
“This is the best I've felt swimming for a long time and the most fun I've had. I am looking forward to the next few days of racing.”
With 400m free bronze in the bag, the sprint specialist is looking forward to his pet events and is slated for four more races.
He will have a target on his back as he looks to defend titles in the 100m backstroke S7, 50m free S7 and 50m butterfly S7.
“It’s never easy. There’s always gonna be something in the way or someone coming up. You just got to take what comes.”
The 2018 gold medallist did not compete in the 100m free S7 in Hangzhou but is pencilled in for the event on Tuesday (Oct 20).
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Soon was back in action at the Games after missing out on the last edition, due to a lack of competitors in her events. Photo: SNPC/ Dyan Tjhia
Sophie Soon was sixth in the women's 100m freestyle S13 final with a time of 1:20.45.
In the men's 100m freestyle S13, Wong Zhi Wei was fourth after touching home in 58.55.
At the Sky Hall Toyota, paddler Rodrick Li came close to silverware on his debut campaign.
Despite going close in the opening set of the men's singles class 2 quarter-final, he fell 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-6) to South Korean veteran and world No.36 Kim Kyung-hyun, missing out on a joint-bronze.
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Li's debut ended at the quarter-final stage. Photo: SNPC/ Goh Si Wei
In the para badminton men's singles SU5 group stage, Tay Wei Ming lost to India's world No. 10 Hardik Makkar 2-0 (21-19, 21-7) to finish third in his four-man group and did not progress to the knockout stage.
The 5th Asian Para Games are held in Japan from 18 to 24 October 2026. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.
