Singapore para swimmers to use upcoming Swimming World Series as preparation for Paralympics
Toh said: “(The Citi Para Swimming World Series) is a big chance for me to refine what I need to work on and to really see all the things, all the problems that need to be ironed out before we get into that race in Paris. And I’m excited to participate on home ground.”
The last several months have been busy for Toh, who became the most decorated Singapore athlete at the 2022 Asian Para Games held in China’s Hangzhou last October after he bagged three golds and one silver.
It was his second medal haul of the year. At the 2023 ASEAN Para Games held in Cambodia in June, he won three golds and two silvers, setting new tournament records and a new national record in the process.
Toh, who graduates from the National University of Singapore later this year, has transverse myelitis – a rare neurological condition caused by inflammation of the spinal cord.
“This is one of the big opportunities to bring people down to share the message, to really demonstrate … firsthand why it’s important to have these events, the stories that can be told, and the inspiration that can be gleaned from witnessing people with disabilities compete on the world stage at the world level,” he noted.
Toh will be among 13 Singapore athletes going head-to-head this weekend. A total of 126 para swimmers from 21 countries are also competing, including two-time Paralympic gold medallist Takayuki Suzuki from Japan.
Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, president of the Singapore Disability Sports Council, similarly called for Singaporeans to support the nation’s para swimmers.
“Come out and really see that anybody with a disability (can) also enjoy sports. And they can be so good at their competitions at the sport they chose because they also train very hard to demonstrate their abilities,” she added.
