Paralympics: Singapore swimmer Yip clinches gold in 50m backstroke
By Ryan Huang, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 15 September 2008 1838 hrs

	Photos  of
	Related News • Paralympics: Singapore's Yip sets another world record • Swimmer Yip Pin Xiu clinches Singapore's first silver at Paralympics • Bigger challenge lies ahead for Singapore's Paralympic medallist

SINGAPORE: Swimmer Yip Pin Xiu has won the first gold medal for Singapore at the Beijing Paralympics in the 50-metre backstroke finals.

She clocked 58.75 seconds, way ahead of Britain's Fran Williamson who clinched the silver in 1:06.07.

Yip broke her own world record during the heats earlier Monday. She clocked a new world and Paralympic record time of 57.92 seconds. Fran Williamson was second with a time of one minute 6.75 seconds.

Yip on Saturday clinched Singapore's first silver at the Paralympics, in the women's 50-metre freestyle finals. Despite not coming in first in the finals, she maintains the new world and Paralympic record she set in the heats earlier on Saturday, with a timing of 57.04 seconds.

Yip will receive S$100,000 for her gold medal under the Athletes Achievement Award (AAA) set up by the Singapore National Paralympic Council.

However, fellow swimmer Theresa Goh finished empty-handed at the Paralympics. She failed to qualify for the 50-metre freestyle final, coming in last in her heat.

Singapore has won four medals in the Beijing Paralympics. Rider Laurentia Tan aced two bronze medals in equestrian.

The Paralympics ends on Wednesday.

- CNA/ir