Toh Wei Soong

Toh Wei Soong (Chinese: 杜维崧; pinyin: Dù Wéisōng; born 1998) is a Singaporean competitive swimmer. He was a bronze medallist in the S7 50M Freestyle at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.[1] and he was also a two-time gold medallist at the 2018 Asian Para Games for the S7 50m Freestyle and the S7 100M Freestyle events.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Toh.
Toh Wei Soong
Personal information
Nationality Singapore
Born (1998-09-11) September 11, 1998
Singapore
Height1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight70 kg (154 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle
ClassificationsS7

He is currently studying at the National University of Singapore in the University Scholars Programme.[2]

Early life

At the age of 2, Toh was affected by Transverse myelitis,[3] a condition which is caused by the inflammation of the spinal cord and has affected his lower nervous system.[4] The eldest of two children in his family, Toh studied in Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) and Anglo-Chinese School (Independent),[5] graduating from the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme in 2017.

Swimming career

Toh started swimming competitively at the age of 14. He won the first-ever Special Event at the annual SSSC Championships, competing as a para-swimmer for ACS(I). In 2013 he joined Aquatic Performance Swim Club under the Singapore National Para-Swimming Team and met his current coach, Ang Peng Siong, a former Singaporean Olympic swimmer.

2013 Asian Youth Para Games

At the 2013 Asian Youth Para Games held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Toh won a silver medal in the Men's 100 metre freestyle S8 event, his first medal in an international event.

2015 ASEAN Para Games

At the 2015 ASEAN Para Games held in Singapore, Toh rose to prominence by winning three gold medals and one silver medal from his 4 events.[6] He was also a torch bearer alongside other Singaporean athletes such as Yip Pin Xiu and Tay Wei Ming[7]

2017 ASEAN Para Games

At the 2017 ASEAN Para Games held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Toh won two gold medals and one silver medal from his 3 events,[8] breaking several Games records for his events.

2018 Commonwealth Games

At the 2018 Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia, Toh won the first para-swimming medal for Singapore in the Men's 50 metre freestyle S7 event, obtaining a bronze medal. He is also the second person to win a swimming medal for Singapore at the Commonwealth Games, following up on Joseph Schooling's silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, UK.

2018 Asian Para Games

At the 2018 Asian Para Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia, Toh won the first medal for Singapore at the 2018 Asian Para Games, obtaining a gold medal in the Men's 50 metre freestyle S7 event on the first day of competition, beating competitors Daisuke Ejima from Japan and Ernie Gawilan from the Philippines. He went on to win another gold medal in the Men's 100 metre freestyle S7 event as well as a bronze medal in the Men's 100 metre backstroke S7 event,[9] becoming the most decorated Singaporean athlete of the Games.[10]

References
  1. "Commonwealth Games: Toh Wei Soong clinches swimming bronze in S7 50m freestyle final securing Singapore's first-ever Para Sports and Para Swimming medal at the Commonwealth Games". Straits Times. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  2. "NUS University Scholars Programme". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  3. "Asean Para Games: Winner is a study in balance". Straits Times. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  4. "Looking to do Singapore proud at Asean Para Games". The New Paper. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  5. "Swimmer Toh Wei Soong hungry for more". Straits Times. 5 December 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  6. "Asian Para Games: Mental images of race help swimmer Toh bag Singapore's first medal - a gold - in Jakarta". Straits Times. 7 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  7. "Asean Para Games: Pride is different this time, says cauldron lighter Yip". Straits Times. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  8. "Asean Para Games winners reap S$19,000 in cash rewards for gold medal performances". Today. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  9. "Asian Para Games: Swimmer Toh Wei Soong wins third medal". Channel NewsAsia. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  10. "Team Singapore net record medal haul at Asian Para Games". Channel NewsAsia. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
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