Gan Ching Hwee leads historic performances as Singapore caps swimming campaign in style
A malfunctioning scoreboard could not dim what was a defining night for Singapore swimming. At the Huamark Aquatic Center in Bangkok, records fell, milestones were reached, and a new chapter of regional dominance was written.
Gan Ching Hwee’s Historic Triple-Triple
On Dec 15, Singapore’s Gan Ching Hwee sealed her place in SEA Games history by winning the women’s 800m freestyle in a Games record time of 8:33.13. Despite a scoreboard malfunction, the margin was unmistakable as she finished well ahead of Vietnam’s Vo Thi My Tien and Thailand’s Kamonchanok Kwanmuang. The victory completed a rare 200m, 400m, and 800m freestyle sweep across three SEA Games, a feat unmatched by any Singaporean swimmer.
A Milestone Built Over Years
At just 22, Gan became the first Singaporean to achieve the triple-triple, a milestone previously reached only by Malaysia’s Nurul Huda Abdullah between 1985 and 1989. Reflecting on her journey since winning her first 800m gold in 2019, Gan described the achievement as a testament to years of growth, resilience, and experience gained from once being an underdog.
National Records and Breakthrough Golds
Singapore’s success extended beyond Gan. Debutant Chan Chun Ho claimed the men’s 50m breaststroke gold in a national record time of 27.68 seconds, edging out rivals from Malaysia and Indonesia. The 21-year-old called it a defining moment at his first major international meet, highlighting Singapore’s growing depth in sprint events.
The Quah Siblings’ Golden Day
The Quah siblings delivered a remarkable sweep on the final day. Ting Wen reclaimed the women’s 50m butterfly title in a Games record 26.42 seconds, adding to her illustrious medal haul that now stands at 65 SEA Games medals. Her brother Zheng Wen followed by winning the men’s 200m backstroke, a deeply personal victory after missing out on Paris Olympic qualification earlier this year.
Drama and Triumph in the Medley Relay
The meet ended with high drama as the women’s 4x100m medley relay team clinched gold in a Games record 4:05.79. A last-minute injury forced 14-year-old Julia Yeo into the lineup with no warm-up and borrowed equipment. She delivered a personal best backstroke leg, calling the win her most special race yet as she secured her first SEA Games gold alongside senior teammates.
Campaign Results and What Comes Next
Singapore concluded the swimming program with 19 golds, eight silvers, and seven bronzes, matching their 2017 gold tally despite it being the lowest in four editions. Gan now shifts focus to open water competition in Pattaya, preparing for the mixed relay finals on Dec 20, where she hopes to add another podium finish to an already historic campaign.
The final day at the pool underscored Singapore’s enduring strength in regional swimming, blending seasoned champions with emerging talents. For both Indonesians and Singaporeans, the performances reflected how long-term investment in athlete development continues to elevate Southeast Asian sport on the international stage.
Sources: Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: Gan Ching Hwee, Singapore Swimmers, SEA Games Swimming, Huamark Aquatic Center, Quah Siblings
