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Straits Times
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
S'pore paralympic swimming medallist Theresa Goh makes sporting comeback with shooting
Former national para-swimmer Theresa Goh is back competing in shooting after coming out of retirement. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO SINGAPORE – Lining up at the Changwon International Shooting Range earlier in June, Theresa Goh felt the adrenaline surge, her heart racing and her mind pulling in another direction as she worked to bring it back. She was competing at the Changwon 2025 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup – her first international outing as a shooter – but the rush was anything but unfamiliar. These were sensations Goh had grown accustomed to after two decades of competing in the pool. Born with spina bifida – a condition in which the spine and spinal cord do not form properly – Goh went on to become Singapore's first female Paralympic swimmer at Athens 2004, the country's first swimming world champion in 2006, a world-record holder and a Paralympic bronze medallist at Rio de Janeiro 2016. Since retiring from swimming in 2019, Goh's life has taken on a different rhythm, giving her the time to explore interests like cooking, baking and gaming. While her return to the competitive arena came after a six-year break, it felt like a space she understood. The 38-year-old said: 'I didn't really realise how much I enjoyed the competitive aspect of it until I did my shoot. The adrenaline was there but then also I couldn't let it overrun because then my hand would shake. It's about how do I balance that. 'There's the heart racing and realising my brain is thinking one way and how do I bring it back, all the different things I never really had to place in a sporting context in such a long time.' At her debut, she finished 20th out of 24 with a score of 523 in the women's 10m air pistol SH1 event, clearing the qualifying mark for the Asean Para Games in Thailand in January 2026. She has enjoyed the journey so far, being part of a team again and settling into a structured routine. Though some aspects feel reminiscent of her past, Goh is mindful that this is still new territory, one she did not expect to revisit after hanging up her goggles. Goh, a pathway and performance manager at the Singapore Disability Sports Council, said: 'It was really nice to be retired after swimming... I really enjoyed the freedom and just not having to think about schedules so much or blocking out a certain period of my week for something. 'But at some point, early to mid-last year, I was starting to feel a bit lost, listless in certain aspects of my life.' She then came across a local modern pentathlon event in July 2024 that involved running and laser shooting and signed up for it. Although she was the last to arrive for the shooting leg, she was among the first to leave as she performed creditably, piquing her curiosity whether there was something worth exploring further. By October, she had begun training, though she was still weighing whether this was the path she wanted to take. Theresa Goh began to explore the idea of competing in shooting after taking part in a modern pentathlon event in July 2024. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO The support she received made a big difference. After just a few sessions, her coach Pheong Siew Shya passed her shooting glasses and a pellet box. Daniel Chan, Singapore's first shooter at the Paralympics, also lent Goh the gun that he used at the 2024 Paris Games. She said: 'It's been quite good, fun and I find myself always comparing it to swimming like at this point when I started swimming, how did I feel? It's interesting just being able to play a new game in a different way.' Pheong, a former national shooter, praised Goh's determination and discipline, noting that she has improved her understanding of the shooting process but still needs to work on her fundamentals. Nonetheless, Pheong was impressed by Goh's performance in Changwon, where she exceeded expectations by registering a personal best – 15 points higher than her previous mark. Pheong said: 'Her mental resilience and determination have inspired the team to believe that anything is possible. It gave the team a shot in the arm.' Sport has always held a magnetic pull for Goh, who also took up shot put around the same time as shooting and had dabbled in powerlifting during a break from swimming after the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. On what drives her to pursue different sports, she reflected: 'The act of learning something, being better at something, and then to the point of potentially mastering it, I like the idea of it.' She added: 'For me, it's always been about the environment. I've always mostly enjoyed (swimming) training because of the people around. I see it now in shooting – it's hard to say no because the people are so welcoming, I like their company and the environment's good.' She has also drawn on lessons from her swimming career, but remains cautious about assuming that the same approach will apply. She just wants to make sure that she enjoys the process. Having qualified for the Asean Para Games, Goh admits she is still working out what her goals may be, although making a return to the Paralympics has crossed her mind. ' I bought into the idea that once I was done with my swimming career, that's it. I've achieved what I needed and I can close my career. Many people have that self-placed barrier on themselves like this is as far as I can go. I want to see how far I can go,' she said. 'The main goal, if I can speak it into the world is, I do hope to achieve a similar success to my swimming. To get to the Paralympic Games would be quite nice. If I can, I can. If not, no problem. ' It seemed almost poetic that after this interview, as Goh posed for photographs beside a mural celebrating Singapore's athletes outside the High Performance Sport Institute gym, she found herself positioned next to a picture from her swimming days, a bridge between past and present. With her legacy already woven into the fabric of the nation's sporting history, she is now writing a new chapter in an already storied career. Kimberly Kwek joined The Straits Times in 2019 as a sports journalist and has since covered a wide array of sports, including golf and sailing. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
18-06-2025
- Sport
- CNA
'I want to see what my limits are': Retired Paralympian swimmer Theresa Goh is back in a new sport
SINGAPORE: Imagine a person as a cupboard with many drawers, each holding its own items. For most of us, the one labelled "work" is typically filled to the brim. For others, it might be "study", "hobbies" or "family" that is packed. There are also compartments which were once overflowing, but now left open. Such is the case for Theresa Goh, a retired swimmer, 2016 Paralympic bronze medallist and history-maker. She was Singapore's first female swimmer to qualify for the Paralympics, Singapore's first swimming world champion and remains Singapore's most bemedalled athlete at the Asean Para Games (APG). The 38-year-old retired from competitive swimming in 2019. While there was a sense of relief in being a "normal" person once again, Goh has in recent times felt something else – restlessness. There was one aspect of her life, one drawer, that lacked purpose. "I feel like work is very purposeful, and I feel fulfilled in the things that I do most of the time. (But) sometimes (there is also that) wondering, 'is there anything else I want to do more?'" she told CNA. Goh is a pathway and performance manager at the Singapore Disability Sports Council. "I think there's just something else (to life) besides work and social life ... Maybe it's that I was part of a sport for so long that it was just another piece of me." And so, six years after hanging up her googles, Goh is back representing Singapore again - this time in the sport of shooting. "THE VIBES ARE GOOD" It was at a local event organised by Singapore's pentathlon body in July last year where Goh discovered her aptitude for shooting. Modern pentathlon typically involves fencing, shooting, swimming, riding and cross-country riding, but this particular event had both running and laser shooting. "Everyone was running, so when they ran, they were all faster than me," she recalled. "I was the last to reach (the shooting table), but I was the first or second to leave." Various other "chance encounters" subsequently further ignited Goh's interest in the sport. "I found it's so much easier when you take to a sport and you do not too bad at it," she said. As someone who enjoys picking up new skills, shooting appealed to her. "I like learning. Learning new things and learning new techniques and knowing that there's better and more to do; more progress to be made. I like the idea of that," she said, "I like knowing that this is new and I can get better at it, and seeing the progress." Goh started training proper in October last year. She now trains twice a week, and often has to shuttle between the range in Yishun and her home in Tampines, a journey of close to two hours. "The culture and the feel of the people at the shooting range, it also helps. They're all so friendly, so helpful, and the vibes are good," she said. "I can do really well in the sport, but then if I don't like being at training where the people are, then it's not going to matter because I'm going to dread going to training." "HOW FAR CAN I GO?" While swimming and shooting are drastically different, Goh believes that her former sport has provided a base to build on. "I'm glad I started swimming, because it really encompassed a lot of the basic requirements that I need for some of the other sports," she said, "Swimming is not just physical. It's stamina, it's power, it's mental, it's everything that I needed ... now I have that foundation that I can use for shooting." But having dedicated much of her life to swimming, it felt "a bit weird" to get into a new sport, admitted Goh, who has also started training for yet another discipline - shot put. There are times she wonders if people might think she's "betraying" swimming. She has also questioned her choice to go through the rigour of competitive sport again. "I also then wonder - I've been at the top and I've got a Paralympic medal, why am I still doing this?" she added. Goh also shared how stress affected her during early competitions. Where nerves in swimming can be channeled into the pool, it is not the case with shooting, where the tiniest change to how one pulls a trigger can make a difference. "At the start I did a couple of local competitions, and I got so nervous that I was perspiring in an air-conditioned range, and I could feel myself just getting very warm, my heart rate just increasing," she said. "I realised the same level of nervousness that I can (use in) swimming, I can't really use it in shooting, because it might make me shake too much." But what drives Goh is to see what she is capable of. "Why do we have to limit ourselves so much? I want to see how much I can do. What can I do? How far can I go?" she said. "And that doesn't stop just because I've reached a certain level in another sport, you know? I want to see what my limits are." TAKING IT STEP BY STEP That was how she found herself at her first overseas competition - the World Shooting Para Sport World Cup in Changwon, South Korea - last month. It was a strange feeling, Goh said, not the least because of her International Paralympic Council (IPC) athlete licence number. She first registered with IPC more than two decades ago, so her number was much smaller compared to her peers and opponents. When it came to the meet itself, what helped Goh was the ability to apply some relaxation techniques picked up from the pool. "I was nervous, because it's been a couple of years since I've been in any kind of competitive environment," she said, adding that she calmed herself with the reminder that "it's not the end of the world if it's a bad shot". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Singapore Disability Sports Council (@sdsc) Goh also realised how much she missed being able to compete. "I do a little bit better in competition than in training. And the score was better than I've ever done in training," she added. While she did not make the finals of the competition, the Singaporean registered a personal best score and met the qualifying standard for the APG. The idea is to take things step by step, said Goh. Her goal is to eventually clinch a medal at future editions of the APG. At the same time, she hopes she will not lose this newfound passion for shooting. "At the start of swimming, when it started getting much more stressful, I think there was too much pressure," she said. "At a certain point in my career in swimming, I did lose a little bit of that love for it. I'm trying to see how that doesn't happen (now), making sure I really enjoy my training, enjoy what I'm doing, and try not to same go down the same path in certain ways." Fundamentally, Goh just wants to test herself as best she can, whether in shooting or shot put. "I've always been quite inclined to sport and in whatever sport I find movement, I've always been quite good at it at a base level. (But) I also know that that's not enough to do well in competitive sport. So am I then willing to put in that extra bit to be more than good?" Goh said. "For now, I'm totally willing to do what I need to do while juggling work and also a bit of shot put at the side. I've definitely missed it enough to come back."
Independent Singapore
05-06-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
The Westin Singapore celebrates 3 years as an Official Elite Hotel by supporting PWDs at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon
SINGAPORE: The Westin Singapore expresses its support to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in reaching their athletic dreams at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) this year. This is to commemorate Westin's third year as the Official Elite Hotel of the event. Happening on Dec 6 and 7, PWDs will join other runners in the 5-km, 10-km, Half Marathon, and Marathon categories as they run and pass by some of Singapore's most well-known landmarks. Kelly Fan, Executive Director of the Singapore Disability Sports Council, said: 'We're grateful for the opportunity for persons with disabilities—both our para-athletes and members of the wider community—to be part of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon this year, where people of all abilities can run alongside one another. For some, it will be their first time taking part in a race like this, and it's a chance to step out of their comfort zone, stay active, and experience the energy of racing together with the wider community. For our para-athletes, it's also a meaningful way to build discipline as they prepare for this event alongside their regular training. We hope this inspires more partners to join us in building inclusive platforms that foster strength, resilience, and unity through sport, regardless of ability or background.' At the One Race, Many Journeys launch event last Jun 4, The Westin Singapore also announced that PWDs will have complimentary entry to their chosen race category. This gesture is made possible by the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and Westin Singapore ambassadors Gregory Burns and Natalie Dau. Gregory Burns is set to run 10 km at this year's event. The Paralympic gold medalist and Ironman athlete, who is also an artist, showcased his talent as part of this year's SCSM. He created Runners , a special artwork to honour SCSM 2025 participants, and this piece of art will be featured on exclusive merchandise. All proceeds would go to the Singapore Disability Sports Council. With this, Burns remarked: 'I'm pleased to see the mainstreaming of people with disabilities into serious public sporting events in Singapore. By normalising such participation, parents and society are encouraged to integrate those with challenges into the community. I'm honoured to collaborate with The Westin Singapore, whose commitment to inclusivity shines through in their support of this event as we welcome participants of all abilities and disabilities to push their boundaries together. These races serve as more than a physical challenge; they are a living canvas where people can press beyond their limits and expand new dimensions of themselves. While the race may begin and end on a single day, its impact and the personal stories it inspires endure long after the finish line is crossed.' He added: 'My mixed media artwork captures the transformative journey each runner takes from the starting line to the finish. While we may run alongside others, we ultimately grow and overcome life's obstacles step by step, as individuals. Each of us must scale our own walls to realise our potential. This race and this painting are invitations to strive for our best selves. I hope ' Runners ' inspires others to reach beyond their perceived limits, while also contributing to a meaningful cause.' Furthermore, ultramarathoner, author, and motivational speaker Natalie Dau has won all 11 ultramarathons she participated in, and recently, she completed her second 1,000-km solo run in the Philippines in 12 days to show support to underprivileged children. 'I am incredibly excited to be involved in this initiative spearheaded by The Westin Singapore for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon this year. The opportunity to participate in mass fitness events should be accessible to people of all abilities. This initiative is one I support deeply and is extremely important because it breaks down barriers, creating more inclusive opportunities for individuals who might otherwise be excluded from such empowering experiences. At the heart of it, it's about fostering a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of achieving their fitness goals,' Dau said. Both athletes were also present at the Cook & Brew launch event, where they shared their fitness journeys and offered training, recovery, and nutrition tips. Attendees also learned about warm-up, recovery, and fueling techniques, with post-run snacks and Hyperice recovery tools available. Moreover, runners who missed the event can look forward to more opportunities to hear from Burns and Dau, as Westin Singapore will host additional talks with them before the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. The 2025 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon is the region's only World Athletics Gold Label race, welcoming runners from around the world. It will provide a unique experience for runners of all levels. Last year's event saw a record-breaking 55,000 participants. Westin Singapore assures relaxation for runners The Westin Singapore gives runners a unique stay as the Official Elite Hotel of SCSM. It offers a 3D2N Move Well: Marathon Package , providing easy access to the race start, daily breakfast, exclusive merchandise, the Next Generation Heavenly Bed, and Hyperice recovery gear. Marriott Bonvoy members can also enjoy their stay with Marriott Bonvoy Moments . This is an exclusive package that includes a hotel stay, a meet-and-greet with elite runners and ambassadors, race tickets, VIP Start Pen access, and more. It also offers a post-race recovery lounge at the Padang. The General Manager of The Westin Singapore, James Walkden, said: 'We are delighted to be the Official Elite Hotel for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon for the third consecutive year. At The Westin Singapore, we're always striving to elevate our premier wellness experiences for our guests and partners. This year, we wanted to do more to support the community and encourage more people to get involved. Therefore, we came up with the One Race, Many Journeys initiative to provide complimentary entry to this year's SCSM to selected para-athletes and demonstrate that there are many ways to get to one destination and there is no one correct answer. This is in alignment with our Marriott International's Serve360, Doing Good in Every Direction initiative, as well as our Move Well pillar, which encourages movement for all. We hope to empower para-athletes to achieve their dreams by participating in Singapore's largest running event alongside fellow fitness enthusiasts and, at the same time, inspire the community to keep moving and living well.'
Straits Times
04-06-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Persons with disabilities to take part in 2025 StanChart Marathon alongside able-bodied participants
From left: Santoz Kumar, General Manager for Singapore for the Ironman Group; Natalie Dau, The Westin Singapore ambassador; James Walkden, general manager of The Westin Singapore; Gregory Burns, The Westin Singapore ambassador; Alister Ong, committee member of the Singapore Disability Sports Council; and Jenny Lim, director of sales and marketing of The Westin Singapore alongside Burns's artwork Runners. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO SINGAPORE – In a push for inclusivity, the 2025 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) will feature persons with disabilities (PWDs) alongside able-bodied participants, as part of an initiative titled One Race, Many Journeys. The initiative was launched at The Westin Singapore on June 4 in celebration of it being the official elite hotel for the SCSM for the third straight year, with the hotel pledging to help PWDs achieve their sporting goals at Singapore's biggest marathon. This is not the first time that the SCSM will see participation of PWDs, with wheelchair users having already featured previously. In 2018, it introduced an elite wheelchair racing category, which was also included in 2019 . James Walkden, general manager of The Westin Singapore , said: 'This year, we wanted to do more to support the community and encourage more people to get involved. Therefore, we came up with the One Race, Many Journeys initiative to demonstrate that there are many ways to get to one destination and there is no one correct answer.' Selected PWDs will receive complimentary entry to the category of their choice at this year's SCSM, those being the 5km, 10km, half-marathon or marathon categories. Showing their support at the launch were American former Paralympic champion swimmer Gregory Burns and Australian ultramarathoner Natalie Dau, both of whom are based in Singapore and ambassadors of The Westin Singapore. Natalie Dau (left) and Gregory Burns (right) are both ambassadors for The Westin Singapore. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Burns, who has been living in Singapore for the past 30 years, believes the initiative will help change public perception of PWDs in wider society. 'When I came here in 1995, there were much fewer physically challenged people out and about. But in 30 years, the physical infrastructure has got better,' said the 68-year-old, a three-time Paralympian with five medals (two golds, two silvers, one bronze). 'Singapore has developed and grown as a compassionate society and the SCSM is yet another way to show that these physically challenged people are out and about and we all can make the best of what we do.' Burns, who is also a passionate artist, unveiled an artwork he had been working on for the past month in support of the initiative. The artwork, named Runners, is a hybrid media piece that combines digital art with contemporary painting techniques. 'This is a collage painting and it's (also) a collage of a race of different people with different abilities and disabilities,' he said. Dau, who completed the second iteration of Project 1000 in May, this time running 1,000km through the Philippines over 12 days , encouraged those participating in the SCSM to be more actively inclusive. Dau, 53, said: 'There's still a big gap between the people that are starting and the people that may be a bit more experienced and I think what we've been missing in Singapore is real inclusivity and the community coming together.' 'Try to mend your passion with purpose. If you have the opportunity to run the marathon for something bigger than yourself, make the most of that,' she added. 'A lot of us don't have friends with disabilities, so if you are running next to someone who is not able-bodied, then have a chat (with them) and welcome them into the community.' After the event launch, both Burns and Dau went for a short 2.4km run with members of the public. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO The 2025 SCSM will take place on Dec 6 and 7. Registration is open till Nov 30, or until all slots are sold out. The 2024 edition drew about 55,000 runners over three days, including close to 13,000 international participants from 84 countries. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Paper
25-05-2025
- Health
- New Paper
Boy, 5, discovers love for sport, thanks to therapy for neuromuscular disorder
Exercising two to four times a week has become part of Devdan Devaraj's routine, with the five-year-old taking part in sports such as swimming, wheelchair rugby and table tennis. But, a few years ago, his mother, See Shu Wen, never imagined her son would be able to lead such an active lifestyle. When he was just several months old, Devdan was diagnosed with Type 2 spinal muscular atrophy - a genetic condition that affects nerves and muscles. From initially feeling lost and unsure of what to do, Devdan's family were handed a lifeline just before his second birthday: A nationwide crowdfunding campaign raised the $2.9 million needed for him to receive Zolgensma, a one-time gene therapy treatment for children with this condition. See, 36, said: "It (Zolgensma) definitely has given him a lot more independence. Previously, he couldn't stand or bear weight on his legs and today, he can walk a few steps independently and, with support, he can walk a long way. "Just by walking, it's a huge step because the doctor's diagnosis was that he would never walk. Him being so active and enjoying his life, it's a bonus for us." Devdan, a Kindergarten 2 pupil, fell in love with sports about two years ago, when his parents sought alternative ways for him to stay active beyond physiotherapy. He first picked up swimming and later took up power soccer - a modified version of football played by power wheelchair users - along with wheelchair rugby and table tennis, which he enjoys as they allow him to stay active and make friends. On May 24, he was among 60 individuals who collectively completed a 100-lap commemorative swim at Delta Swimming Complex to launch SG60 SwimTogether Singapore, an initiative by the Singapore Disability Sports Council to encourage Singaporeans of all abilities to swim together and use the sport to uplift lives. The participating swimmers included former Paralympic bronze medallist Theresa Goh, former Olympian Mark Chay, national para-swimmer Wong Zhi Wei and multiple SEA Games swimming champion Amanda Lim. The swim was flagged off by guest-of-honour David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth. It was part of a 100-day countdown celebration to the Sept 21-27 World Para Swimming Championships, with Toyota Motor Asia also unveiled on May 24 as the event's headline sponsor. Staged in Asia for the first time, the world para championships will welcome over 600 participants from more than 60 countries and territories. Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo (left) greeting para-swimmer Raelynn Foo, 10, at the 100-day countdown celebration to the World Para Swimming Championships. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO See, a designer, said participating in this commemorative swim is good exposure for Devdan. She added: "He's quite a shy kid and I want him to be more confident and meeting people with different disabilities will help him learn more, that they're able to do much more. And also, we want continued support for inclusion." Wong, an Asean Para Games gold medallist, is hoping to make his third world championships appearance alongside compatriots Yip Pin Xiu, Toh Wei Soong and Sophie Soon, all of whom have qualified for the meet. The 22-year-old, who is visually impaired, has several competitions lined up before the qualifying window closes in July. Recalling the home crowd at the Citi Para Swimming World Series Singapore in 2024, the National University of Singapore undergraduate said: "For almost every Singaporean athlete, being able to compete at an international-level competition that is hosted in our backyard is one of the biggest privileges we can experience. "It would be a real honour to be able to participate on home ground, witnessing the support that Singaporeans have for us." National para-swimmer Wong Zhi Wei is hoping to qualify for the Sept 21-27 World Para Swimming Championships. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Making his first public appearance in his new role since Singapore's new Cabinet was unveiled by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on May 21, Mr Neo was heartened to see people coming together to promote an inclusive and active society. With about 100 days to the world para championships, the political newcomer also urged Singaporeans to show their support for the Republic's athletes. Mr Neo added: "Having just taken over, I will prioritise my time together with stakeholders and partners from sports, community, arts and youth groups, so that I can listen to them, hear from them, and see how MCCY can really partner them to nurture a more caring, cohesive and confident Singapore."
