In her fifth Paralympics, Singapore swimmer Yip Pin Xiu still gets a ‘kick’ from competing

Five-gold Paralympic champion Yip Pin Xiu will be looking to retain her 50m and 100m backstroke S2 titles at the Paris Paralympics. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

SINGAPORE – Anywhere in Singapore, any mention of para sport and swimmer Yip Pin Xiu’s name will inevitably come up.

The 32-year-old, whose burgeoning trophy cabinet includes five Paralympic gold medals, is easily one of the country’s most recognisable para-athletes.

Behind all her success, said Yip, is one moment that defines her career and set her on this path.

“Rio 2016 really was the point for me, where it kind of showed me what consistency looks like. After winning in Beijing (2008), I took some time off, went to study, and didn’t really know what I wanted to do. It took me a long time to realise that I still wanted to chase glory for my country,” said the veteran swimmer, who has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease which causes the progressive loss of muscle tissue and touch.

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