Paris Paralympics: Singapore's defending champion Yip Pin Xiu
Yip is the defending champion in the event, having also triumphed at the 2016 and the 2020 Paralympics.
WHO IS YIP PIN XIU?
Yip Pin Xiu a Singaporean backstroke swimmer. She is a five-time Paralympic gold medallist and 5 time World Champion, with two world records in the 50 m backstroke S2 and the 100 m backstroke S2. Yip is Singapore’s most decorated Paralympian.
She has Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome and competes in the S2 category for physically impaired athletes. Since 2005, she has earned medals at international events such as the World Wheelchair and Amputee Games, Japan Paralympic Swimming Championships, and International German Paralympic Swimming Championships. At the 2008 Summer Paralympics, she won a gold medal in the 50 meters backstroke and a silver medal in the 50 meters freestyle, setting world records in both events. At the 2016 Summer Paralympics, she claimed a gold medal in the 100 meters S2 backstroke, setting a world record, and also set a world record for her 50-meter split.
In 2009, she was named “Young Woman Achiever of the Year” by the local magazine Her World. For her remarkable performances at the Paralympic Games, she was awarded the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Meritorious Service Medal) during the National Day Awards ceremony in 2016. More recently, Yip was honored as Sportswoman of the Year (swimming) at the Singapore Disability Sports Awards 2022. This accolade marked her third win of the award, having previously won in 2019 and 2021. Her accomplishments have significantly raised the profile of disabled athletes in Singapore.
SINGAPORE ATHELETES
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Yip Pin Xiu has qualified for the 100m backstroke S2 final at the Paris Paralympics after topping the heats on Thursday (Aug 29).
The defending champion clocked a time of 2:18.19 and finished in first place overall.
The top eight swimmers from the two heats advanced to the final.
Yip, 32, took gold in the event at the 2016 and 2020 Paralympics.
She is also the current world record holder in the event, as well as the 50m backstroke S2.
Related:
Singapore para swimmers eye medals in upcoming Paris Paralympic Games
A five-time Paralympic gold medallist, Yip will compete in the finals of the 100m backstroke S2 on Friday at 12.10am Singapore time.
She is among three Team Singapore para swimmers who have qualified for this year’s Games. Toh Wei Soong and Sophie Soon will also take to the pool later in the meet.
In total, 10 Team Singapore para-athletes will compete in six sports at the Paralympics: Boccia, archery, shooting, swimming, equestrian and athletics (shot put).