Asian Para Games 2026: Toh Finds His Rhythm With “Satisfying” Silver

Toh ended his run of three bronzes with a silver in the 100m backstroke S7. Photo: SNPC/ Goh Si Wei

Swimmer Toh Wei Soong returned to the Nagoya City General Gymnasium Rainbow pool for his fourth final of the Asian Para Games on Thursday (Oct 22) night and left it with silver in hand.

Toh, who has already racked up three bronzes at the Games, went one better and finished second with a time of 1min 16.09 seconds in the men’s 100m backstroke S7.

China’s Ruan Jingsong took gold in a Games record time of 1:12.16, after erasing Toh’s 2023 mark of 1:14.99 in the morning heats, while India’s Tejas Nandakumar (1:18.58) completed the podium.

But for the defending champion, it was the performance in the pool that was a greater relief.

“I felt really good about it. This is more like what I expect of myself… I'm very harsh on myself sometimes, so this is more of what I expect from a race,” the 28-year-old said.

Toh claimed his eleventh Games medal with silver in the 100m backstroke S7. Photo: SNPC/ Goh Si Wei

“It's pretty satisfying, not necessarily for the colour, but for how hard I went out and fought, and the effort I put in, and the time I did.”

Toh, who competed in his first heats of the Games in the morning, said: “For most of my career, heats to finals has usually been the format. So going straight to finals is a different game in a sense. You don't have any time to make mistakes.”

“I had that this time. So I'm grateful for it.”

With five races and four straight days of racing under his belt, Toh is pleased with his recovery as he heads to his final race on Friday (Oct 23).

“(It has) been pretty good. I got my recovery routine down, so pretty happy with it,” Toh said, ahead of yet another title defence in the 50m freestyle S7.

Sophie Soon wrapped up her campaign in her fourth race of the Games, the women’s 50m freestyle S13.

Soon clocked yet another national record, finishing in a time of 32.97s to finish sixth.

“We were aiming for around this timing. I think it would have been better if it was a little bit quicker, but I am still learning to figure out S11. There was a little bit of bumping here and there, but I think overall, it was a pretty decent race.”

Returning to the Games, Soon took home with her new learnings ahead of a busy season. Photo: SNPC/ Dyan Tjhia

Reflecting on her second Games appearance after missing out on Hangzhou due to her events being omitted from the programme, Soon added: “There's a lot more learning than I anticipated. There's still quite a long way for me to go. I'm very grateful that in the last half of the campaign, I was able to pick it up and I think get better swims in.”

With the 2028 Paralympics in her sights, Soon is expecting a “heavy campaign” next year and is likely to compete at next July’s World Para Swimming Championships in Mexico.

Meanwhile, Wong Zhi Wei competed in his sixth race of the Games in the men’s 50m freestyle S13 final.

The sixth-fastest qualifier in the heats with a time of 26.97s, Wong set a new national record of 26.55 in the night’s final to finish fifth overall.

“I felt pretty good. Tried to work on the physical cues that my coach told me right before the race. Pretty happy given that the 50 free is not like an event that I usually train for. I train to focus on the 400… It’s nice to know that even my top speed in a sprint free is also getting better.”

Wong saw improvements in his one-lap sprint event. Photo: SNPC/ Dyan Tjhia

“Working on the 400 has actually helped me improve my efficiency. So every single pull that, when I do catch water, brings me forward a little. The only difference is that now I have to, if I want to focus on sprints, I have to rework my nervous system a little to try and pull faster.”

He is slated to take part in the men’s 200m individual medley SM13 final on Friday (Oct 23).

In her sole race of the Games, Danielle Moi opened her charge brightly with a new national record in the 100m butterfly S14 heats, clocking 1:12.33.

She eventually finished eighth overall, touching home in 1:12.95 in the final.

Moi made it count when it mattered with a national record in her only event of the Games. Photo: SNPC/ Dyan Tjhia

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.