Quick Read
- Gan Ching Hwee won gold in the women’s 400m freestyle at the 2025 SEA Games with a time of 4:11.88.
- This is her third consecutive SEA Games title in the event, bringing her closer to a rare triple-triple achievement.
- Singapore’s men’s 4x100m medley relay team took gold for the seventh time in a row.
- Young Singaporeans Julia Yeo and Russel Pang broke national records in their events.
- Quah Ting Wen’s winning streak in the women’s 100m freestyle ended with a bronze medal.
Gan Ching Hwee Extends Her SEA Games Dominance in Bangkok
On a brisk December evening at Bangkok’s Huamark Aquatic Center, Singapore’s Gan Ching Hwee sliced through the waters with a purpose. Her time: 4 minutes 11.88 seconds in the women’s 400m freestyle — not just a gold, but a statement. For the third consecutive SEA Games, Gan stood atop the podium in this event, and the margin was emphatic: Thailand’s Kamonchanok Kwanmuang trailed at 4:13.56, while Vietnam’s Vo Thi My Tien finished in 4:17.39. The clock and the crowd, both witnesses to a streak that is becoming the stuff of Southeast Asian swimming legend.
This victory, reported by Channel NewsAsia and The Straits Times, brings Gan one step away from a rare feat: the ‘triple-triple’ — gold medals in the 200m, 400m, and 800m freestyle at three consecutive SEA Games. Only one athlete, Malaysia’s Nurul Huda Abdullah, has managed this before, between 1985 and 1989. The historic parallels are compelling; Singapore’s Junie Sng swept the three events in 1977, 1981, and 1983, but was edged out in the 200m in 1979. For Gan, the upcoming 800m freestyle race looms not just as another contest, but as a potential passage into regional sporting history.
Singapore’s Swimming Team: Record Breakers and Rising Stars
Gan’s gold was not the only highlight for Team Singapore. The men’s 4x100m medley relay team — Quah Zheng Wen, Chan Jun Hao, Jonathan Tan, and Mikkel Lee — continued their own dynasty, taking gold in 3:38.47 and marking Singapore’s seventh straight win in the event since 2013. Their performance was not just about victory, but about teamwork, resilience, and passing the torch. “Thanks to these guys, they make my life easy,” said Lee, who anchored the freestyle leg. The camaraderie was palpable, the result a testament to years of collective discipline.
But perhaps the most stirring moments came from Singapore’s youngest competitors. Julia Yeo, just 14 years old, shattered a national record in the women’s 200m backstroke, clocking 2:16.51 and breaking Tao Li’s 2009 mark. Though she finished fourth, Julia’s response was genuine: “I’m shocked that I broke the national record. I’m glad that my hard work paid off.” Russel Pang, 15, also made headlines by eclipsing Glen Lim’s 2019 record in the men’s 1500m freestyle, finishing with 15:28.46 and securing bronze. For these debutants, the SEA Games proved to be more than just a competition — it was a launchpad for future dreams.
Pressure, Motivation, and the Making of a Champion
Even for Gan Ching Hwee, the path to gold was not without its hurdles. After a less-than-ideal morning swim in the 200m freestyle, she admitted to moments of self-doubt. “I came into tonight’s finals with a little bit of self-doubt,” she shared. The words from her coach — trust yourself, swim like you’ve always trained — became her anchor. The result was not just a personal best, but the successful defense of her 200m freestyle crown on December 11. For Gan, inspiration came from watching the teenage record-breakers, Julia and Russel, from the training pool. “Watching them really gave me a lot of motivation coming into today’s race,” she said, reflecting a cycle of inspiration that lifts the entire team.
Singapore’s Quah Ting Wen, another stalwart, saw her own winning streak end in the women’s 100m freestyle, as she took bronze behind Philippines’ Kayla Sanchez and Heather White. Quah hadn’t lost in the event since 2015, and her result served as a reminder that every champion faces both victory and defeat — sometimes on the same night.
SEA Games 2025: A Watershed for Singapore Swimming?
As the 33rd SEA Games swimming meet pushes toward its conclusion, the Singapore squad sits atop the medal count, driven by veterans and newcomers alike. Seven golds in three days, multiple national records, and a palpable sense of momentum. The relay team’s win, the individual brilliance of Gan Ching Hwee, and the emergence of young stars like Julia Yeo and Russel Pang all point to a bright future for Singapore swimming.
Yet, for Gan, the coming days hold special significance. The 800m freestyle on December 15 is more than just another race; it could be the moment she joins Nurul Huda Abdullah in the annals of Southeast Asian sport, a rare triple-triple that cements her legacy. For now, she remains focused, drawing strength from her teammates, her coach, and the rising tide of young talent beside her.
Fans can catch the SEA Games action live, as well as follow updates on Mediacorp Sports’ social channels. The energy around the Singapore team is infectious, and the sense of possibility is tangible. Each race, each record, and each medal carries the weight of history — and the promise of what comes next.
Gan Ching Hwee’s performance at the 2025 SEA Games is not just about medals, but about leadership and legacy. Her ability to overcome doubt, inspire her teammates, and motivate a new generation of swimmers marks her as a true champion — one whose impact will be felt far beyond the pool.