Toh after snagging his third medal in the 50m free S7 in as many editions. Photo: Commonwealth Games Singapore/ Lim Weixiang
Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre, where former Olympic champion Joseph Schooling captured Singapore's first-ever Commonwealth Games swimming medal in the men's 100m butterfly in 2014, again became the backdrop for new milestones as records were broken and memorable performances unfolded at the 2026 Games.
Distance queen Gan Ching Hwee got the ball rolling a day after leading Team Singapore as its flagbearer, finishing fifth in the women's 400m freestyle final in a national record time of 4min 9.34sec. The debutante improved on her previous mark of 4:09.81, set at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, by 0.47sec.
Two days later, Gan came within touching distance of becoming the first Singaporean woman to win a Commonwealth Games swimming medal.
Up against a stellar field featuring world champions Australia's Lani Pallister and New Zealand's Erika Fairweather, Gan more than held her own, but narrowly missed out after placing fourth in the 1,500m freestyle in 16:06.
Her entry time of 16min 1.29sec — the national record she set at last year’s world championships — would have been enough to secure bronze in Glasgow. But she was denied by Australian teenager Molly Walker, who, at her senior international debut, produced a stunning swim to slash 12 seconds off her personal best.
Gan after setting a new national record in the 400m free. Photo: Commonwealth Games Singapore/ Lim Weixiang
Gan rounded off her debut outing with a creditable sixth-place finish in the 800m freestyle in 8:33.65.
Meanwhile, seasoned campaigner Toh Wei Soong added yet another notch under his belt, in what could be his final Commonwealth Games, when he claimed silver in the men’s 50m freestyle S7 on Wednesday (Jul 29, Glasgow time) evening.
Touching home just behind longtime friend and 2022 bronze medallist Christian Sadie of South Africa, who blitzed the pool in a Games record time of 28.06s, Toh’s latest achievement extended his record as Singapore's most decorated swimmer at the Games – having already won bronze in the same event in 2018 before upgrading to silver in 2022.
Despite his remarkable success across three appearances at the Games, Toh’s memories of the Games will extend beyond the medals, with the spirit of inclusivity leaving the deepest impression.
“The Commonwealth Games is always one of my favourite major Games because it's a combined Games of both the able-bodied and the para contingents. And that is a special experience I've never had anywhere else. I'm going to miss that very, very much. And just seeing everyone swimming in the same pool, warm-up in the same pool, that's fantastic.”
Fellow para swimmer Wong Zhi Wei also enjoyed a notable debut, reaching the finals in both his events, securing sixth place in the men’s 100m free S13 with a time of 58.98s, as well as seventh in the 50m free S13 in 26.83s.
Reigning silver medallist in the men's 50m butterfly Teong Tzen Wei battled against injury and sickness after nursing a sprained ankle and falling ill on competition day,
The former short-course Asian record holder still pulled out a 23.64s swim to finish 10th out of 16, missing out on outright qualification for the final by slightly over a tenth of a second.
Such was the competitiveness of the field that a swim-off was needed to decide the final spot between Wales’ Lewis Fraser and Nigeria’s world junior championship medallist Abduljabar Adama.
Over in the 50m freestyle sprint, reigning SEA Games gold medallist Mikkel Lee surpassed his 2022 performance in Birmingham by reaching the final in Glasgow, and touched the wall in 22.23 seconds to finish eighth.
In the men’s distance events, teenage sensation and debutant Russell Pang saved his best for last, proving he could mix it with the best in the blue-riband event.
Racing alongside the likes of defending champion Sam Short, Olympic bronze medallist Daniel Wiffen and rising star Benjamin Goedemans in the 1,500m free final, Pang underlined his arrival on the international scene with an impressive fifth-placed finish.
The 16-year-old, who holds both national records in the 800m and 1,500m free, also set a new national standard when he clocked 15:25.58.
Shaving off close to three seconds from his previous mark, the SEA Games bronze medallist said, “I am feeling pretty good, a lot better than I have felt the past few days, especially since I hit a PB (personal best).”
“For this race, because my past two races haven’t been executed really well, my coach and I agreed that I should put the time aside and focus on the execution — the catch and efficiency. If all goes well, the timing will come,” said Russel, who credited teammate and roommate Teong for sharing valuable pointers on mindset and racing.
From farewell swansongs to barnstorming debut performances, Glasgow certainly added a memorable new chapter for Team Singapore swimming.
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.