Goh mines 2nd gold

Goh mines 2nd gold

The golden touch continued for swimmer Theresa Goh yesterday as she triumphed for a second straight day at the Asean Para Games in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.

The Singaporean put in an imperious performance in the women's 200m freestyle (S5) final, coming home in 3min 51.38sec.

The 26-year-old was more than a minute ahead of second-placed Nguyen Thi Den of Vietnam (5:06:91).

Bronze went to Myanmar's Aye Thu Aung (6:48:54).

Goh had also won the 50m breaststroke (SB4) on Wednesday.

SB relates to the class of swimming while the number is the category given according to the disability. On a scale of one to 10, one refers to the most severe types of disability.

The two golds meant that Goh has won a total of 22 golds since her Asean Para Games debut in 2001.

The two-time Singapore Sportsgirl of the Year (2002 and 2003) said: "To be honest, this isn't my top form but I'm getting back there. Maintaining training sessions have helped me keep on top in South-east Asia."

Other Singaporeans also put in good showings at the Wunna Theikdi Swimming Complex.

Benson Tan claimed gold in style, setting a Games-record time of 1:02.88 in the 100m freestyle (S14) to surpass the previous mark of 1:03.79 which he set in 2011.

Chou Han Liang took silver in the 50m breaststroke (SB14), clocking 36.55sec, while Lawrence Tay (37.40) settled for the bronze.

There were silver medals too for the women, with Chew Zi Ling (1:27:11) doing well in the 100m freestyle (S14) and Charlotte Lee (55.73) in the 50m breaststroke (SB14).

Meanwhile, paddler Eugene Soh picked up a joint bronze - awarded to losing semi-finalists - in the men's open singles class 1-5. He lost 5-11, 6-11, 7-11 to Indonesia's Hardiyanto Tatok in the final four.

Singapore's 52 athletes are contesting in sports such as athletics, boccia and cerebral palsy football.

Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong visited the Singapore contingent at the Games Village yesterday morning.

Mr Wong, who also caught some swimming action, penned his best wishes and had lunch with some athletes.

After two days of competition, Singapore's medal tally stands at four golds, four silvers and one bronze.

The Games, which run until Monday, features 1,500 athletes from 10 South-east Asian nations competing across 12 sports.


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