Toh clinched silver in the men's 50m freestyle S7 to extend his medal streak at the Games. Photo: Commonwealth Games Singapore/ Lim Weixiang
Para swimmer Toh Wei Soong – already Singapore’s most decorated swimmer at the Commonwealth Games – further cemented his legacy by bagging silver in the men’s S7 50m freestyle on Wednesday (Jul 29, Glasgow time) at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
Two-time Paralympian Toh, who has suggested that the Glasgow Games could mark his swansong at the competition, secured his third consecutive medal in as many editions with the silver, adding to the bronze he won at Gold Coast 2018 and the silver from Birmingham four years ago.
His swim of 29.36 seconds put him just behind 2022 bronze medallist Christian Sadie of South Africa, who touched home in a Games record time of 28.06s.
England’s Bruce Dee rounded off the podium after finishing in 31.33s.
Despite initially laying down the gauntlet by targeting gold, Toh showed great sportsmanship after finishing runner-up, heading over to longtime friend and competitor Sadie to congratulate him with a hug.
“It's been a great honour to be part of these Commonwealth Games. This is my third one, and just racing against so many guys, like Christian, whom I've grown up with in the sport, has been a great privilege. This may be my last one, so I'd say it's a good way to end this story.”
The 27-year-old briefly voiced his disappointment at his timing after the race, but the perspective gained from years competing on the international stage quickly took over.
“The timing could definitely have been a bit faster, but we've been working really, really hard over the past few months through multiple overseas training camps. I'm really proud of all the effort that's gone into this,” said Toh, who is coached by Singaporean swimming icon and former 50m freestyle national record holder Ang Peng Siong.
“I've been in the sport for 13 years now. This is one of the races where I enjoyed going at it, and I haven't been able to say that for a while,” he reflected.
Gold was always going to be a tall order after Sadie set the benchmark in the heats with a then-Games record of 28.45s.
Still, Toh was determined to leave nothing behind in his final race in Glasgow. Second quickest off the blocks in the final with a reaction time of 0.62s, he gave his all and emptied the tank in what was his only event at these Games.
“I tried to go out harder than the morning and managed to do so by a little bit,” Toh said, having improved on his heats time of 29.44s.
But the biggest takeaway for Toh was neither his timing nor the medal, but the mindset shift.
“It was just about letting go of a lot of the anxiety and overthinking that I have always faced in this sport. It's a chronic problem that I have had for many years where I start talking to myself too much. I try to plan everything out and try to control every variable.”
“Going out there, not second-guessing myself, not questioning myself, and just owning whatever comes — that’s something I’ve really learnt as I’ve gotten older, and it’s something I’m really glad to have practised at this Commonwealth Games.”
Having made history back in 2018 when he won Singapore’s first-ever para sports medal with bronze, Toh hailed the inclusive spirit that sets the Games apart.
“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.”
And though Toh might be closing a chapter at the quadrennial Games, he insisted that there was still more to be written at other competitions.
“I do want to point out that I'm not done yet. I still got the LA 2028 Paralympics to go. We still have the Asian Games this year. I want to defend my title as Asian champ,” said Toh, who is the reigning Asian Games gold medallist in the 50m free S7, 50m butterfly S7 and 100m backstroke S7 events.
“And we've got another ASEAN Para Games next year. So there's still a lot to celebrate, there's still a lot to experience.”
Ever the competitor, Toh will also no doubt be targeting stronger finishes in the 50m free S7 and 50m butterfly S7 when the Paralympic Games return in two years, after placing eighth in both events at Paris 2024.
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.