Disabled athletes win 14 medals at World Games in Taipei
By Jessica Yeo, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 18 September 2007 2145 hrs

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SINGAPORE : Singapore's disabled athletes have scored a big win at an international sports meet in Taipei.

The bi-annual event is known as the International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Wheelchair and Amputee Games 2007.

Singapore sent five athletes to take part in wheelchair racing and seven in swimming. They joined over 1,000 disabled athletes from 43 countries.

In total, Singapore's 12 athletes achieved 14 medals and 21 personal bests. All, but one, of the medals came from swimming events.

The biggest haul came from 20-year-old Theresa Goh Rui Si. She collected 3 golds, 3 silvers and 1 bronze. Theresa also attained two personal bests.

Another golden girl is 15-year-old Yip Pin Xiu, who got four gold medals and attained three personal bests.

13-year-old Khristine Quek got 1 gold and 1 silver.

Another swimmer, Joanne Liu Xin Yan, attained personal bests in all her events.

As for male swimmers, Lieu Teck Hua will return with four personal bests. He also emerged fourth in the 100m Breaststroke event.

James Leow Chen Hai scored two personal bests and emerged fourth in the 50m Freestyle event.

Lim Keng Joo will also return with a personal best in the 100m Breaststroke.

The swimmers will return on Wednesday at 6.45pm.

In the 100m wheelchair race, Singapore's Eric Ting Chee Keong came in second and recorded his personal and seasonal best.

In a separate 100m wheelchair race, 19-year-old Firdaus Nordin came in fourth place. He was just 0.03 seconds short of a third place win. He also took the fourth spot in both the 200m and 400m races.

Other wheelchair racers Norsilawati Mohd Sa'at and Dr William Tan also attained personal bests in all their events.

Newcomer Firdhaus Osman, who started wheelchair racing only since February, also got a personal best. - CNA/ms