The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games September 6-17, 2008
The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games September 6-17, 2008
Yip Pin Xiu may be the poster girl for those romantics who believe that being sixteen is good luck.
Her list of accomplishments as a swimmer here at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, her first, include breaking two world records and taking home Singapore's first ever gold and silver Paralympic medals.
During her qualifying heat in the 50m Freestyle on September 13, she touched the wall in world record-breaking time, 57.04 seconds. Later that evening, she came in second in the final in 57.43s, but her world record time remained intact.
On September 15, in the 50m Backstroke, there was a partial replay of what had happened two days before.
Yip broke the world record in the event in her qualifying heat, timing 57.92s.
"I was expecting to win, but after the heats I kind of felt pressured because I was thinking 'What if…? What if…?' A lot of things can happen," she said.
Nothing unexpected happened. She nabbed the gold in the final, with a 58.75s finish that was perhaps even more dramatic than her world record-setting heat swim, as she came in 7 seconds ahead of her nearest rival (Fran Williamson of Great Britain, who clocked 1:06.07).
"I knew I was winning the whole time because my goggles were clear. But I'm not really happy with my time; I could have gone faster," said Yip, who tore down the previous world record, which she set only a few months before, by almost 3 seconds.
Nonetheless, she was pleased with her win. "I'm very honored to win a gold for my country. It's special to do it; I'm very touched."
"It's my first Paralympic gold medal and it's also Singapore's first Paralympic gold medal so I'm very happy," Yip said proudly.
She will be 20-years-old when the London Games come around, and although she will still be in her prime, her disability may have a strong affect on how she fares four years later.
Yip has been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a disease that progressively weakens muscles and affects motor control. She moves around on dry land with a wheelchair and her eyesight has gotten worse.
She hasn't yet let her condition slow her down, though, swimming competitively since she was 12. Her strong spirit continues to push her forward. Yip has her heart set on storming the Paralympic podium again.
"I will definitely continue swimming; London is definitely in my sights. I will be training as usual," she assured her fans.
