Wong Zhi Wei picked up his first gold of these Games, winning the men's 100m butterfly S13 in a new Games record time. Photo: SportSG/Abd Rahman
By May Chen
Spirits are high within the Singapore para-swimming team in Cambodia, and it is little wonder why.
The team have a sizeable medal haul just three days into competition at the 12th Asean Para Games. There has also been a considerable number of personal bests, national and meet records that come with the silverware.
After one bronze and two silvers, Wong Zhi Wei finally stood atop the podium on Tuesday (June 6) when he took gold in his pet stroke.
He did it in style too, clocking 1:03.87 to take gold in the men’s 100m butterfly S13 with a new Games record.
Said the 20-year-old: “It feels pretty good. Fly was always my best stroke. I was gunning for gold. Overall, quite satisfied with the results, though I could have paced it better.”
The butterfly is Wong's preferred stroke, and he won the event in style. Photo: SportSG/Abd Rahman
That his pet event came on the third day of competition was a welcome coincidence.
He said: “Usually the first swim of the meet is to get rid of the nerves. It gets easier to go out (as the meet goes on) without thinking too much, because we're less nervous overall. So I’m pretty glad I had my pet event on the third day.
“I feel pretty okay about my performance. I wish it could be better but I think I'm not at the right level of fitness or confidence in my weaker strokes. Overall, it's been a nice experience in Cambodia.”
Wong also won a silver in the men’s 100m freestyle S13.
Janelle Tong was not expecting to make the podium in an event she rarely competes in. Photo: SportSG/Abd Rahman
Teammate Janelle Tong picked up a surprise bronze in the women’s 200m individual medley SM10. Her 3:50.12 was also a new personal best and national mark.
She said: “I don’t usually compete in the medley, so I was a little more nervous than usual going into the race. I was pleased and surprised with the outcome.
“The nerves come every time before an event or race and it’s quite hard to get used to it, although it does get easier as the days go on.”
The swimmers are competing in Cambodia on the back of a packed schedule, having competed in the World Para Series in Singapore, then Berlin in the weeks just before the Asean Para Games.
Danielle Mok in action in the women's 200m IM SM14. Photo: SportSG/Abd Rahman
Said Danielle Mok, who won a silver in the women’s 100m fly S14 and bronze in the 200m IM SM14: “There’s definitely some tiredness. But it’s very good to see that we’ve improved and we’re hoping for more results to come our way.”
Tong gave credit to the camaraderie of her team, something that has helped soothe the butterflies in her stomach before a race.
She said: “We have a very strong team spirit and bond for this Games. This really motivates and helps us get through the races, and for us to be motivated to give our best. This contributes to the good results that we’re having.”
The Soon siblings also picked up more medals on Tuesday.
Younger brother Colin posted his third Games record in as many days to win the men’s 100m freestyle S13, before adding a silver in the 100m backstroke S13.
Sophie, meanwhile, won her second gold of the Games in the women’s 100m fly S13.
The 12th Asean Para Games are held in Cambodia from 3 to 9 June 2023. 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.
Related Articles
Related Topics
Recent Events & Programmes
Related Articles
Related Topics
Related Topics
[BlogPost 164438712123 NSG 2024 Badminton: Senior Div Girls Quarter-Finals, BlogPost 164238055490 Evergreen Aleksandar Duric Still Making Headlines at 53, BlogPost 164170080646 NSG 2024 Rope Skipping: Junior Div Girls Freestyle Team Finals, BlogPost 162884973666 Move and Rest Better With Data From Your Own Body, BlogPost 163393049482 Life Comes Full Circle For Serangoon Garden Secondary School's Fahrish Khan, BlogPost 163258797651 Making Golf a Sport for All, BlogPost 162512222328 NSG 2024 Sepaktakraw: Senior Div Yuhua Primary School vs Qihua Primary School, BlogPost 162233592997 Gritty Lions Suffer Loss to China, BlogPost 162089384371 On Your Mark, Get Ready, Go Running, BlogPost 161670652697 Lions' Excellent Showing Against China, BlogPost 161435270031 Ogura Optimistic for Exciting Clash against China, BlogPost 161127614758 The Future of Basketball in Singapore: Why 3x3 is Here to Stay, BlogPost 161033673012 The Active Lifestyler's Guide to the New ActiveSG Delta Sport Centre, BlogPost 161128356680 Grand New Champions Crowned at WTT Singapore Smash 2024, BlogPost 160844835218 NSG 2024 Table Tennis: C Div Boys Pool Round, BlogPost 160210745115 NSG 2024 Basketball: Senior Div Girls Tampines Primary School vs Frontier Primary School, BlogPost 159881180544 Whirlwind Return to Women's Football, BlogPost 159633541417 Singapore Smash to Elevate a New Legacy, BlogPost 158983580420 NSG 2024 Rugby: B Div Damai Secondary School vs Peirce Secondary School, BlogPost 159003960202 SFA Fiesta: Kicking off 2024 to a Roaring Start, BlogPost 158830735126 NSG 2024 Football: B Div Girls Preliminary Round Meridian Secondary School VS Bowen Secondary School, BlogPost 158536989718 Team Nila Volunteers Recognized At Awards Ceremony, BlogPost 158270107806 NSG 2024 Hockey: B Div Boys Preliminary Round Raffles Institution VS St. Hilda Secondary School, BlogPost 157966862615 NSG 2024 Floorball: B Division Preliminary Rounds Kick Off!, BlogPost 157562433712 What Is Safe Sport?, BlogPost 157559446197 Sengkang Secondary: Cultivating Well-Rounded Footballers, BlogPost 157368261167 New National Training Centre for Cricket at West Coast Ground, BlogPost 155340164987 Active Ageing with Joey Bonifacio, BlogPost 155930815517 Inaugural Singapore Youth League kicks off from 24th February 2024, BlogPost 155340164727 Bukit Canberra : the Coolest Spot in the North, BlogPost 155368905255 How Padang Fandi Inspired Ayden to Chase his Dream, BlogPost 154755572826 Ageing Backwards with Elizabeth Cheang, BlogPost 154094657315 Running For Fitness, BlogPost 153318636178 Excitement Builds for FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024, BlogPost 153198644247 World's Top Four Confirmed for 2024 HSBC Women's World Championship, BlogPost 149413941770 Cultivating Your Kids’ Interest in the Outdoors, BlogPost 149413941163 Making Sport More Appealing for Our Kids, BlogPost 149412549409 Solo Or Team Sport – Choosing the Best for Your Child, BlogPost 151197478798 Former Lions Stalwart Baihakki Khaizan Sheds Light on New Accreditation to Elevate Grassroots Football and Youth Development, BlogPost 80703591291 New Year, Fitter You! Here are the top 3 workouts for the New Year, BlogPost 81171151456 7 Reasons Why Sports are Great for Children’s Mental Health, BlogPost 80542065330 17 Best Yoga Classes & Studios in Singapore [+ Rating & Prices], BlogPost 149404351798 From Brush to Lens: A Student's Journey in the World of Art and Sports Photography, BlogPost 149402825063 The Benefits of Active Parenting, BlogPost 149397832009 Sweden Claim 9th Straight Gold at the Women's World Floorball Championship, BlogPost 149397831449 Lion City Sailors Win 2023 Singapore Cup, BlogPost 148511324266 Pitch Perfect with Jonathan Teo, BlogPost 148511724402 Seniors: Increase your flexibility bit by bit with these stretches, BlogPost 147866574167 A Valuable Experience In Spain for Singapore's National Development Centre U-14 Boys, BlogPost 146915317264 How one magical Kallang night changed the lives of Abirami and Daania forever]