Appreciation of Partners for Toyota World Para Swimming Championships

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Seven-time world champion Yip Pin Xiu’s coach Michael Massey rejoined the swimmer’s team in 2020 to guide her Paralympic title defence, steering her to back-to-back golden doubles in the 50m and 100m backstroke S2 at both Tokyo and Paris.

But the Briton remembers an earlier chapter when he was still in Great Britain’s corner at the 2008 Olympics, and Yip found herself racing against one of his swimmers.

“I do remember that very much… It was one of the most thrilling nights in Beijing because the whole crowd embraced a very young lady. It was electric, and I hope that we can bring that same sort of electricity and that spirit and that incredible fervour into what we do in Singapore in September,” he said, referring to the upcoming Sep 21-27 World Para Swimming Championships, which will be the first to be held in Asia.

Speaking at a partners’ appreciation event on Tuesday (Aug 19), together with Yip and former world champion Theresa Goh, Massey recalled how all three of them were present in Beijing 2008. Now, Goh is currently a pathway and performance manager at the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC), while Massey is head coach of the para swimming team and SDSC’s performance director.

Of the trio, Yip is the only one still competing, and she even hinted at a possible tilt at the LA 2028 Paralympics. During the fireside chat, she turned to her coach and asked with a grin, “Are we going to Los Angeles?” Massey replied coolly, “We are,” drawing a round of applause from the audience.

But she will have her first real test next month as she seeks to extend her chokehold on her two pet events, the 50m and 100m backstroke, where she has triumphed in the past three editions in 2019, 2022 and 2023.

“Defending the title is going to be very special. Just because it has happened a few times doesn’t mean I expect it to be easy. So we’ve worked hard this year and in the years leading up to it to try to defend my title. We are excited,” Yip said.

“Normally, in year one (of the Olympic cycle)… is the year where you sort of take a little bit of a breather… And we’ve come out of Paris and been successful. Pin Xiu has had to get back onto that very quickly. And that in itself brings a little bit of pressure,” Massey added.

Meanwhile, Goh’s 2019 retirement from competitive swimming meant that she won’t be in the pool for the home championships, but the former world champion is taking on a different role behind the scenes as accessibility lead in the local organising committee.

“I hope Singaporeans take this opportunity, because it’s something you don’t get to see often. You’ll witness different bodies, different types of disabilities — and maybe swimmers you wouldn’t expect to be fast turning out to be incredibly quick. It changes mindsets. It shifts how people see the world,” said Goh.

Having raced at the world championships in Durban close to two decades ago, Goh admitted she never imagined the premier competition would one day be staged in Singapore.

“It never crossed my mind. And now, 19 years later, it’s quite amazing (to see). I didn’t realise how much we’ve grown, seeing the rise in support and resources. I’m pleasantly surprised that it is here in Singapore.

“Part of me kind of wishes I were still active, but at least I’m still involved. I’m glad I’m on the organising team. I still get to see the races and witness everything,” she added.

For Yip, who will line up in the home championships, the roar of Singapore fans promises to be a vital boost in her title defence.

“I didn’t understand what home-ground advantage was until 2015, having raced for close to 10 years. And then I raced on home ground, and I felt what it was. And it’s mad… Just knowing that I’m doing this for myself and all of them makes a phenomenal difference. And that small reminder just before the games, the cheering and everything helps as well,” Yip said, referring to the 2015 ASEAN Para Games hosted in Singapore.

At the 2023 Para Swimming World Series in Singapore, Yip thrilled the home fans by smashing both the world and Asian records in the 200m freestyle S2.

“I don’t go in with any high hopes or expectations. But the last two times I’ve raced here, I ended up breaking the world record,” Yip said with a laugh.

Though she tempered expectations of a new world best time, Yip will know that support will not be in short supply when she takes the pool at the OCBC Aquatics Centre in September.