Sports
Yip and Theresa receive their cash awards from Singapore National Paralympic Council
![](https://theonlinecitizen.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/2016/12/27062241/featured-image-yip.jpg)
Singapore Paralympic athletes, Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh received cash awards at the Athletes’ Achievement Awards reception held at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday (14 December) night for their achievements at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
![Source : Channel News Asia.](https://i0.wp.com/theonlinecitizen.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/2016/12/27062242/yip-pin-xiu-and-theresa-goh-posing-with-cheques.jpg?resize=740%2C416&ssl=1)
Source : Channel News Asia.
![Source : Today Online.](https://i0.wp.com/theonlinecitizen.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/2016/12/27062240/yip2.jpeg?resize=560%2C420&ssl=1)
Source : Today Online.
![Source : Today Online.](https://i0.wp.com/theonlinecitizen.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/2016/12/27062241/yip1.jpeg?resize=560%2C420&ssl=1)
Source : Today Online.
Yip, who won Singapore’s first-ever gold medal at an Olympics or Paralympics at Beijing 2008, earned S$400,000 for her two golden medals in the S2 50m backstroke and the 100m backstroke S2 event with a world record of 59:88 in the Paralympics.
While, Theresa took home S$50,000 for her bronze in the women’s SB4 100m breaststroke.
The two were presented the cheques by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), SNPC chairman and SDSC president Kevin Wong, and Fong Yong Kian, chief executive of Tote Board.
The financial rewards were given under the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) Athlete’s Achievement Award programme (AAA), which is funded by the Tote Board and Singapore Pools. In the program, one gold medal yields S$200,000.
Goh, who had been joining the Paralympics for four times,said that she was very “honoured” and hopes that the SNPC and Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) can build on the increased awareness of disability sports, and raise participation numbers.
Speaking to local medias at the sidelines of the event, she said, “We want to see the growth and more young athletes coming into the big picture, because we cannot do this forever. And not just at the APG (Asean Para Games); there has to be continuity and long-term goals.”
“They cannot just come for one Games and then not show up the rest of the time. It has to be a commitment and something they want to do; of course (we are) not forcing anybody to do it, but we want to see growth in our sport,” she added.
Yip also said that she hopes para-sports can move to the next level, saying, “We envision it having a bigger base of people, so when we want to pick a few for the elite level, there will be people.”
20 per cent of their awards being mandatorily channelled back to the SDSC. Commenting on this, Yip said, “Really, we hope that these funds will go to the training and development and maybe the talent scouting of these people, and we also hope that these people will be committed to what they want to do.”
However, the amount is one a fifth of able-bodied athletes earn, despite strong calls from citizens and non-ruling party Workers’ Party, to award Paralympians the same amount of reward.
Yip has been re-classified as an S2 swimmer as the muscular dystrophy that afflicts her advanced and progressively weakens her muscles. The International Paralympic Committee classifies S2 as swimmers who mainly rely on their arms for swimming. Their hand, trunk and leg function is limited due to tretraplegia or co-ordination problems, for example.
While, due to congenital spina bifida, Theresa does not have use of her legs. Therefore she had been classified as S5 swimmer. The International Paralympic Committee classifies an S5 as swimmers who suffers short stature and an additional impairment, with the loss of control over one side of their body (hemiplegia) or with paraplegia compete in this sports class.
Sadly, Mr Teo Ser Luck who was the then-Senior Parliamentary Secretary said in response to a question filed in Parliament on 19 September 2008, “One of the things that we have to look at is that the Olympics competition level is actually quite different. The Olympics competition is a free world competition. Paralympians can join Olympics. Olympians cannot join Paralympics. That is one thing you look at – the level of competition.”
“Secondly, the base of competition within the Olympics is a lot broader and the base of competition for Paralympics is smaller and is segmentised because Paralympics is based on the disabilities which are classified differently. So that is a different scale of competition,” he added.
In September, Godfrey Robert from The New Paper argues in his article, “Honour Yip, but don’t put her in the same league as Schooling” that people should not compare para-swimmer Yip Pin Xiu’s achievement with Olympic swimmer Joseph Schooling as they are of different league and ask for equal amount of reward for the para-swimmer with two gold medals in the Rio Paralympics 2016.
This article drew attention of netizens. A former journalist, Claire Leow, commented on her Facebook post in response to Godfrey’s article, saying that we cannot measure (or reward) human endeavour by money alone but withholding it sends a wrong message to society too.
“Yes, she competed in a smaller field, in the reporter’s eyes. But that doesn’t diminish her efforts. Even the reporter admitted her feat was “superhuman”. I am glad it was a smaller field — I am glad because each of those six competitors had a disability no one wishes on them. But it is also a bigger field – the six only represented the many others with more severe disabilities that could not possibly have gotten them into competition. They are bedridden, in hospices and hospitals, watching the TV and marvelling at Yip’s Herculean efforts. They are being inspired outside of our scrutiny. It is them we need to uphold in any argument of equality,” she said.
Malaysia has since awarded its Paralympians RM1 million, the same amount as its Olympians. Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin wrote on his Facebook page, “Our para-athletes’ achievements and sacrifices must be honored the same as other athletes. Not 30 percent of ‘normal’ athletes.”
“I would not know how to feel 30 percent proud of them. I only feel 100 percent proud of our para heroes. They have shown us that yes, they are not ordinary. They are extraordinary,” he added.
![](https://theonlinecitizen.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023/03/26202010/TOC_newlogo_small.webp)
Singapore
Jeralyn Tan makes history with Singapore’s first-ever Paralympic boccia medal
Jeralyn Tan made history by winning Singapore’s first-ever Paralympic boccia medal, clinching silver in the women’s individual BC1 final at the Paris Paralympics.
The 35-year-old narrowly lost 4-5 to France’s Aurelie Aubert. This achievement marks Tan as the fourth Singaporean Paralympic medallist, joining the ranks of swimmers Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh, and equestrian Laurentia Tan.
![](https://theonlinecitizen.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/09/03113012/Tan.jpg)
SINGAPORE: Jeralyn Tan has made history by winning Singapore’s first-ever Paralympic medal in boccia, clinching a silver in the women’s individual BC1 final at the Paris Paralympics on Monday (2 September).
The 35-year-old world number 2 narrowly lost to France’s Aurelie Aubert with a score of 4-5 in a thrilling match.
Tan had previously defeated Aubert 6-1 in the preliminary pool round. However, the French world number 16 managed to turn the tables in the final, securing the gold on home soil.
This achievement marks Tan as the fourth Singaporean Paralympic medallist, joining the ranks of swimmers Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh, and equestrian Laurentia Tan.
Ms Tan’s coach, Yurnita Omar, took to Facebook to share her excitement about the momentous achievement and reflect on the journey that led to it.
“The Paralympics is a platform that will challenge and test your skills, talent, composure, strength and adaptations,” Omar said, emphasizing the significance of the event.
“The final act at ONE major event, Four years of hard work culminate in one platform.”
Omar highlighted the immense dedication and effort that athletes and coaches invest in preparing for the Paralympics.
“Many athletes and coaches put in so much effort, hours, energy, time in training to be the best. Sacrificing life simple pleasure. All targeting at the 3 shiny medals.”
The coach expressed deep gratitude to the community that supported them throughout their journey.
“To all our loving friends, family and support system from Singapore that was with us from day one. We would like to dedicate the medal to all our Singaporean community”
Reflecting on her performance, Tan expressed her gratitude and determination.
“Thanks for all the supporters who cheered me up. I worked my hardest and gave it my best. I’ll come back and go for it again,” she told CNA after the match.
Boccia, a precision sport similar to bowls, is played by athletes with physical disabilities who use wheelchairs.
The game involves throwing or releasing balls towards a white target ball, called a jack.
The objective is to place one’s ball as close to the jack as possible, while also potentially knocking the opponent’s balls away.
Points are awarded based on proximity to the jack, with the player having the most points after four rounds declared the winner.
In the final, Aubert took an early commanding lead of 5-0 after two rounds.
However, Tan mounted a strong comeback, closing the gap to 5-3 by the third round.
Needing two points in the final round to tie, Tan’s crucial throw fell just short, missing the opportunity to extend the match and ultimately settling for silver.
Earlier in the competition, Tan had topped Pool B with victories over Aubert and Spain’s Amagoia Arrieta (5-1).
She then went on to defeat Brazil’s world number 1, Andreza Oliveira, 7-5 in the quarter-finals, and secured her place in the final with a 5-1 win over Japan’s Hiromi Endo in the semi-finals.
Tan began her journey in boccia in 2008 as a student at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS) School.
Over the years, she has represented Singapore in various international competitions, including the ASEAN Para Games, where she won silver in the women’s BC1 event last year.
Sports
Yip Pin Xiu secures historic victory in 50m backstroke S2 at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
Yip Pin Xiu clinched her third straight 50m backstroke S2 gold at Paris 2024, adding to her 100m backstroke win. She now holds seven Paralympic golds, solidifying her status as a swimming legend.
![](https://theonlinecitizen.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/09/02082744/Yip-Pin-Xiu-50m.png)
On 31 August 2024, Yip Pin Xiu’s journey in the pool at the Paris Paralympic Games culminated in a historic moment. As she stepped onto the platform at La Defense Arena, the weight of expectation was palpable. She was about to defend her title in the 50m backstroke S2, a race that she had dominated in the last two Paralympic Games.
The pressure was immense, but Yip was no stranger to it. At 32, she had spent two decades honing her craft, her determination unwavering. As she entered the water, all eyes were on her. The race began, and Yip found herself slightly behind Haidee Viviana Aceves Perez of Mexico. Yet, with every stroke, she drew on her vast experience, her mind focused and composed.
Halfway through the race, Yip made her move. The crowd watched in awe as she surged ahead, leaving her competitors in her wake. When she touched the wall, the clock stopped at 1 minute 5.99 seconds. Nearly three seconds separated her from Aceves Perez, who finished second, and Teresa Perales of Spain, who came in third. Yip’s victory was not just a win; it was a statement—a declaration of her continued supremacy in the sport.
In the aftermath of her triumph, Yip reflected on the journey that brought her here. She acknowledged the high stakes, the pressure of defending her title for the third consecutive Games. But she also spoke of the calm that had come over her before the race, a sense of clarity that allowed her to execute her strategy to perfection. “I’m just glad that all the 20 years of experience really paid off today,” she remarked.
Yip’s success in Paris was no surprise to those who had followed her career. Earlier in the year, she had already established herself as the fastest swimmer in the 50m backstroke S2 with a time of 1:04.89 at the Citi Para Swimming World Series in Singapore. In Paris, she had reaffirmed her dominance by topping the morning heats.
Two days before her 50m backstroke S2 victory, Yip had won the 100m backstroke S2 by a mere 0.06 seconds. That race had been a close call, but today’s performance was different—she was clearly in a league of her own.
As Yip waved to the crowd, a smile spread across her face. She knew this was more than just a race; it was a testament to her resilience and passion for the sport. Her haul of Paralympic medals now included seven golds and a silver, a record that began with her historic win in 2008 when she became Singapore’s first Paralympic champion in the 50m backstroke S3.
But Yip’s journey is far from over. After the race, she spoke candidly about her love for the sport and her plans to continue competing. “The plan is to keep winning for as long as possible,” she said, her eyes shining with determination. As she left the pool, her legacy as one of the greatest Paralympians of all time was already secure, but her story was still being written.
-
Opinion4 days ago
Singaporean voters and the ‘Battered Wife Syndrome’
-
Diplomacy3 days ago
India PM Narendra Modi meets with PM Lawrence Wong; Four MoUs signed
-
Food3 days ago
NTU stall food prices questioned after parent pays S$6.30 for meal
-
Politics2 days ago
PAP adopts SDP policies after criticizing them: Dr Chee urges Singaporeans to see through tactics
-
Civil Society4 days ago
CIVICUS Monitor labels Singapore as ‘repressed’ for crackdown on civic freedoms
-
Opinion6 days ago
Is the shuttle bus service at Marine Parade town cluster just a S$1 million political ad campaign?
-
Economy4 days ago
IRAS reports S$80.3 billion in tax revenue for FY2023/24, a 17% increase from the previous year
-
Parliament4 days ago
Workers’ Party to question Govt on Mobile Guardian breach and entry of extremist preacher in upcoming parliamentary sitting