Commonwealth Games 2026: Gan Smashes 400m Freestyle National Record on Games Debut

Gan shaved almost half a second off her previous national record in the 400m free. Photo: SpexSG/ Andy Chua 

Just shy of a year after breaking Lynette Lim’s 15-year-old national record in the women’s 400m freestyle at last year’s World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, distance specialist Gan Ching Hwee has lowered her own national mark once again, clocking 4min 9.34sec in her first Commonwealth Games final.

Gan, who turned 23 just a few days earlier, couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present as she produced a lifetime best to finish fifth in a high-quality field in Saturday’s (Jul 25, Singapore time) final.

"I am very elated. It's been a while since I had such a good 400m race... Being able to get there tonight made me really excited for the rest of the week," she said.

“The record means a lot. It shows how much I’ve grown as a swimmer — from a young girl who was probably so nervous and never thought she could even make a final on this kind of international stage. So, it brings me great joy."

The sole Asian representative in the decider, Gan was up against the likes of New Zealand’s former world champion Erika Fairweather and Australian ace and eventual gold medallist Lani Pallister – the third fastest woman in this event this year – but rose to the occasion with a well-executed swim.

"Tonight I came in and was able to embrace the atmosphere. Being the first to walk out I was very nervous... but I told myself to just soak it in and enjoy the experience," Gan said. 

Gan was the quickest off the blocks, reacting in just over six tenths of a second, but sat in sixth place for a majority of her race before turning on the afterburners down the final lap as Canada’s Ella Jansen slipped behind.

Having completed a historic clean sweep of the women's 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle titles at last December's SEA Games, Gan has continued her impressive form in her first Commonwealth Games appearance. 

She will return to the pool to contest the 800m and 1,500m freestyle events.

"(Today's result) puts me in a good spot, gives me confidence for the rest of the week, and I am just really excited to race," Gan added.

Sim will look forward to the 200, 800m and 1,500m freestyle events. Photo: Commonwealth Games Singapore/ Lim Weixiang

Teammate Sarah Sim also competed in the preliminary round of the 400m free but finished seventh in heat two to place 22nd overall (4:29.36).

Para swimmer Wong Zhi Wei opened his campaign in the 100m freestyle S13, where he qualified for the final in sixth, clocking a time of 59.93s.

Wong finished sixth in his opening race and has one more event to go. Photo: Commonwealth Games Singapore/ Lim Weixiang

In the final, he shaved  nearly a second off his time to clock 58.98s, less than half a second off his personal best of 58.50s, which he set at the Para Swimming World Series Australia last February,  and placed sixth overall.

"I think it was an okay result. There are things to work on, and I can do better," Wong said. "(Such as) holding stroke in the last 25 metres and having the confidence to go out faster, but it will take some time to get there."

Wong is set to compete in his second and final event, the 50m freestyle S13, next Tuesday (Jul 28).

The 23rd Commonwealth Games are held in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August 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.