Singapore’s Toh Wei Soong hopes for a medal in second Paralympic bid


Toh, a Singaporean freestyle and butterfly swimmer, is setting his sights on medaling at the 2024 Paris Summer Paralympic Games.

Singapore National Paralympic Council

The 2024 Paris Games offer Singaporean para-athlete Toh Wei Soong a second chance.

After narrowly missing out on the podium at the 2020 Tokyo Games, Toh is hoping to medal when he competes in the Paralympic Games this summer.

Diagnosed with transverse myelitis at a young age, the inflammation in Toh’s spinal cord affected his lower nervous system and restricted the use of his legs. Toh started swimming regularly for physiotherapy, but it quickly became much more than that.

“Despite my condition, I realized that not only did I enjoy swimming, but I was good at it,” he told CNBC Make It. “It was a source of pride and identity, especially during my teenage years when I represented my school in national competitions.”

As Toh dedicated himself to the sport, he set his sights on the international para stage.

But pursuing those dreams meant Toh spent up to 24 hours a week in rigorous training, which often meant skipping social outings or holidays.

“Water is not a natural environment for us … it’s something we have to learn how to do and naturally the technique doesn’t come to us,” he said. “To maintain that technique takes a lot of effort.”

Overcoming lows

Future aspirations



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