Toh Wei Soong kicked off Singapore’s 2025 ASEAN Para Games (APG) with a silver in the 400m freestyle S7, touching home in 5:22.87 behind reigning champion Ernie Galiwan of the Philippines (5:02.39) on Wednesday (Jan 21) morning.
“I’m feeling really grateful for everyone supporting me. Those who’ve come down all the way from Singapore and the ones watching at home,” he said.
The 28-year-old replicated his runner-up finish from the 2023 edition in Cambodia, where the Filipino long-distance specialist also bested him.
“I’ve been competing with (Ernie) for a long time. It’s always a joy to see him at competitions,” he added.
Toh did well to keep pace with the four-time Asian Games champion till the third lap, but the latter began to pull away at the halfway mark as Toh settled for second at the 80th National Stadium Nakhon Ratchasima Swimming Complex.
Toh’s program at the Games will continue with the 50m free, butterfly and 100m free and backstroke events. The sprint specialist is the reigning champion in the first three events and will have Gawilan for company for most of the races.
“The focus for me is doing my best and following the training and race plans in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games and Asian Para Games. I’m looking forward to the sprints. Those are the events I enjoy the most. So, let’s see what happens over the next few days.”
Danielle Moi followed up with a silver in the 100m fly S14 race, clocking 1:14.83 to match her 2023 result. Moi finished just behind Indonesia’s defending champion Syuci Indriani (1:11.41) with Thailand’s Luksika Uttisen closing out the podium.
Darren Chan, Han Liang Chou and Benson Tan also featured in the 100m breaststroke SB14 event, finishing seventh, ninth and 10th respectively.
