Singapore's Yip Pin Xiu wins 50m backstroke S2 gold at World Para Swimming Championships
This is Yip's eighth world title.
Singapore swimmer Yip Pin Xiu celebrates after winning the finals of the Women's 50m Backstroke S2 during the Toyota Para Swimming Championships held at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on Sep 26, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Wallace Woon)
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SINGAPORE: It was a swim not just for herself, but for her country.
And one of the first thoughts to cross Singapore swim star Yip Pin Xiu's mind after storming to victory at the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships on Friday (Sep 26) was that Majulah Singapura would soon play for the first time at the competition's Asian debut.
The defending champion came from behind to win gold in the 50m backstroke S2 with a time of 1:04.31 at the OCBC Aquatics Centre, and in front of dignitaries such as Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
This was Yip's fourth consecutive world title in the event, and her eighth Championships gold.
Yip was made to work for it, though, as Arjola Trimi would lead the field in the first 25m. But, the Italian could not maintain her pace, as Yip pipped her (1:05.83) and second placed Russian neutral athlete Diana Koltsova (1:05.72) to victory.
"It's extremely special that I'm able to do it in front of all the people who support me," said Yip, who topped the heats earlier in the morning.
Yip currently holds the world record in the event as well as the world and championship record in the 100m backstroke S2.
She is also a three-time Paralympic champion in each event, winning them both at the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Paralympics.
Earlier in the meet, Yip took silver in the 100m backstroke S2.
"It definitely did change the prep (for the 50m). Last night I really couldn't sleep properly because I think there was a kind of energy in me that really wanted to do well today," she said.
"The difference was that this time round, I tried to enjoy the race as much as I could. This time around, I just wanted to have fun."
Judging by the roars which reverberated off the swimming arena as Yip clinched victory, she was not the only one.
