Yip Pin Xiu breaks world record at Para Swimming World Series, wins 2 medals

Local paralympic swimmer Yip Pin Xiu set a new world record at the Citi Para Swimming World Series Singapore 2023, as she clinched a gold medal in the S2 women’s 200m freestyle event on Sunday (Apr 30). 

She clocked in a timing of 4min 41.46sec, beating the previous record held by China’s Feng Yazhu, by almost six seconds.

Pin Xiu also accumulated 1003 points, putting her first. She had 95 points ahead of Thailand’s Nattharinee Khajhonmatha, who came in second. Hong Kong’s Chan Yui Lam came third with 893 points.

“To break another world record again, eight years after my 50m backstroke at the ASEAN Para Games, is very special to me. I am very grateful that what my team has done in the lead up to this meet has come to fruition,” she said of her latest feat. 

Pin Xiu now holds three world records, including the S2 50m backstroke and the S2 100m backstroke S2. 

“I did not expect the world record because I just started swimming the 200m last year. It was only during the heats when I swam just 0.4 seconds behind it – I knew I had to go for it,” said Pin Xiu. 

Pin Xiu also thanked the Singaporean spectators for the overwhelming support shown to her, adding that she “enjoys swimming on home soil”. 

She also grabbed a silver medal in the Women’s 50m Backstroke multiclass event on the second day of the competition, after accumulating 884 points. The Philippines’ Angel Mae Otom took the gold medal with 994 points.

Singapore’s Toh Wei Soong also won a silver medal in the S7 men’s 50m fly event on the first day of the competition. He clocked in 29.99s, accumulating a total of 976 points and squeezing in a finish between Colombians Carlos Zarate and Nelson Crispin Corzo.