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.

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.