'It's been phenomenal': Singapore's Yip Pin Xiu reflects on Paralympics gold, historic three-peat

SINGAPORE: The pressure to make history weighed a little heavier than usual for Yip Pin Xiu ahead of the Paris Paralympics, but as she always has, the 32-year-old delivered.

At the La Defense Arena on Friday (Aug 30), Yip won gold in the women’s 100m backstroke S2 final, notching a remarkable three-peat.

The defending champion clocked a time of 2:21.73 to clinch Singapore’s first medal of the Paris Games. She finished just ahead of Mexico's silver medalist Haidee Aceves (2:21.79) and Italy's Angela Procida (2:24.48), who took bronze.

Yip, 32, won gold in the event at the 2016 and 2020 Paralympics.

"I don't even have words for it. The emotions haven't really touched me, but for now I'm just ... very relieved," she told CNA after her race.

"I've been training very hard (with) my coach, with my team ... The pressure this time round to do a three-peat, even on myself, has been quite a bit."

And while it has been "exhausting" at times, Yip said she was thankful for all the support from all quarters.

Singapore’s most decorated Paralympian, Yip is the current world record holder in the event, and also holds the world record for the 50m backstroke S2.

Earlier in the day, she topped the heats, finishing close to four seconds ahead of her closest competitor Aceves.

"It's (about) having to be really consistent," said Yip. "Training hard is one thing, but being disciplined and consistent is another thing ... I'm out there representing Singapore and to really show the world what we are and what we can do."

The now six-time Paralympic gold medallist is among three Team Singapore para swimmers who have qualified for this year’s Games. Toh Wei Soong and Sophie Soon will also take to the pool later in the competition.

Yip will next compete in the