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New Paper
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Paper
Swimmer Tang Cheng-Yao, 96, proves age is no barrier at World Aquatics Masters
For nearly five minutes, Taiwanese swimmer Tang Cheng-yao commanded the attention of an entire arena at the World Aquatics Masters Championships. On Aug 10, about 150 competitors, officials, family and friends were on their feet at the WCH Arena, the cheers and applause thunderous as they shouted words of encouragement to the 96-year-old swimmer as she splashed her way to the finish of the 200m freestyle. Partially blind in her right eye and deaf in her left ear, the nonagenarian was the oldest female competitor at the July 26-Aug 22 championships. She was the only swimmer in the 50m and 200m freestyle and the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events (95-99 age group), and even set a championship record of 12 minutes 54.04 seconds in the 200m breaststroke on Aug 12. But records are not what Tang aims for, as being in the pool gives her happiness and keeps the doctor away. Speaking via a translator, Tang, who was born in Anhui, China, said: "Swimming makes me rarely sick. But my swimming journey has seen countless battles. In my youth, I swam with great energy, but now, at 96, I am slower. "At such an advanced age, some have already given up... yet here I am, still swimming. But of course, after swimming, it's either sore here or painful there." Back home, Tang, who has two sons and two grandchildren, swims 400m every day, though it takes a long time because "I swim very slowly". In the winter, when it gets too cold to swim, she goes on long walks. She first learnt to swim when she was four, when her parents took her to the seaside in Shandong. She credits her longevity in the pool to her Christian faith, adding: "I just keep my body and mind well every day. I go to classes at church as a small group, and I live joyfully. My religion comforts me and I don't burden myself with worries, and that's why I can focus on what I like to do." Even as a century beckons for the 96-year-old, she plans to continue swimming and taking part in masters competitions. She said: "It all depends on whether God gives me time. If he lets me live, I will swim." Tang has enjoyed her time in Singapore, where she had celebrity-like status at the arena with multiple requests for photographs as fellow athletes and officials marvelled at her longevity in the sport. Tang Cheng-Yao is 96 and is the oldest female participant at the World Aquatics Masters competition in Singapore. PHOTO: SINGAPORE 2025 The fiercely independent swimmer also shared an anecdote about her arrival in Singapore, when staff at Changi Airport offered her a wheelchair as she disembarked from the plane. She initially declined, turning to her 74-year-old son to ask why others assumed she needed one. Tang said: "Reluctantly, I complied but felt embarrassed, and I questioned my age constantly. My son assured me it was just company policy, and he said to me, 'You can run, you don't need a wheelchair'." The World Aquatics Masters Championships features about 6,000 athletes aged 25 and above from around 100 countries and territories competing in swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, and open water swimming. The swimming competition ran from Aug 7 to 14, with water polo and diving to be contested from Aug 16 to 22 and Aug 17 to 22 respectively. Among the participants at the month-long event were others like Tang, who defied their ages by remaining active and competitive. Japanese swimmer Kazuo Yasuda, the oldest male competitor at 97, is about four months older than Tang. There was also Margaret Jopling, who at 90 made her overseas debut and swam in the 50m and 800m freestyle, 50m and 100m backstroke and 50m breaststroke. Australian swimmer Margaret Jopling smiling after completing the 800m freestyle heats at the World Aquatics Masters Championships on Aug 7. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO. The Australian swims to stay mentally and physically fit, but more than that, she cherishes the friends she has made in the masters community and at her club, Port Macquarie Masters. "I have always been competitive, and I love being in the water," said Jopling, who is single. "My objective in a competition like this is to finish the race and not get disqualified. And yes, it keeps me fit, but I love that it keeps me in with all my friends. I live alone and I look forward to meeting them at swims. In Australia, we have social events, Christmas parties and those sorts. "I have enjoyed my time in Singapore and I hope to go to more masters events overseas after this."
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Swimmer Tang Cheng-Yao, 96, wows the crowd at the World Aquatics Masters Championships
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Tang Cheng-Yao (left), 96, is the oldest female participant at the World Aquatics Masters competition in Singapore. On her right is Argentina swimmer Elena Placci, 90. SINGAPORE – For nearly five minutes, Taiwanese swimmer Tang Cheng-yao commanded the attention of an entire arena at the World Aquatics Masters Championships. On Aug 10, about 150 competitors, officials, family and friends were on their feet at the WCH Arena, the cheers and applause thunderous as they shouted words of encouragement to the 96-year-old swimmer. Partially blind in her right eye and deaf in her left ear, the nonagenarian was the oldest female competitor at the July 26-Aug 22 championships. She was the only swimmer in the 50m and 200m freestyle and the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events (95-99 age group), and even set a championship record of 12 minutes 54.04 seconds in the 200m breaststroke on Aug 12. Though records are not what Tang aims for, as being in the pool gives her happiness and keeps the doctor away. Speaking via a translator, Tang, who was born in Anhui, China, said: 'Swimming makes me rarely sick. But my swimming journey has seen countless battles. In my youth, I swam with great energy, but now, at 96, I am slower. 'At such an advanced age, some have already given up… yet here I am, still swimming. But of course, after swimming, it's either sore here or painful there.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 100 people being investigated for vape offences, say MOH and HSA Singapore Bukit Merah fire: Residents relocated as town council carries out restoration works Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore askST: What are the fire safety rules for PMDs? Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at wrong airport in South Korea Opinion Could telco consolidation spell the end of attractive mobile plans? Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength Back home, Tang, who has two sons and two grandchildren, swims 400m every day though it takes a long time because 'I swim very slowly'. In the winter when it gets too cold to swim, she goes on long walks. She first learnt to swim when she was four, when her parents took her to the seaside in Shandong. She credits her longevity in the pool to her Christian faith, adding: 'I just keep my body and mind well every day. I go to classes at church as a small group, and I live joyfully. My religion comforts me and I don't burden myself with worries, and that's why I can focus on what I like to do.' Even as a century beckons for the 96-year-old, she plans to continue swimming and taking part in masters competitions. She said: 'It all depends on whether God gives me time. If he lets me live, I will swim.' Tang has enjoyed her time in Singapore, where she had celebrity-like status at the arena with multiple requests for photographs as fellow athletes and officials marvelled at her longevity in the sport. Tang Cheng-Yao is 96 and is the oldest female participant at the World Aquatics Masters competition in Singapore. PHOTO: SINGAPORE 2025 The fiercely independent swimmer also shared an anecdote about her arrival in Singapore, when staff at Changi Airport offered her a wheelchair as she disembarked from the plane. She initially declined, turning to her 74-year-old son to ask why others assumed she needed one. Tang said: 'Reluctantly, I complied but felt embarrassed, and I questioned my age constantly. My son assured me it was just company policy, and he said to me 'you can run, you don't need a wheelchair'.' The July 26-Aug 22 World Aquatics Masters Championships will see about 6,000 athletes aged 25 and above from around 100 countries and territories competing in swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, and open water swimming. The swimming competition ran from Aug 7 to 14, with water polo and diving to be contested from Aug 16 to 22 and Aug 17 to 22 respectively. Among the participants at the month-long event were others like Tang, who defied their ages by remaining active and competitive. Japanese swimmer Kazuo Yasuda, the oldest male competitor at 97, is about four months older than Tang. There was also Margaret Jopling, who at 90 made her overseas debut and swam in the 50m and 800m freestyle, 50m and 100m backstroke and 50m breaststroke. Australian swimmer Margaret Jopling smiling after completing the 800m freestyle heats at the World Aquatics Masters Championships on Aug 7. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO. Jopling swims to stay mentally and physically fit, but more than that, she cherishes the friends she has made in the masters community and at her club, Port Macquarie Masters. 'I have always been competitive and I love being in the water,' said Jopling, who is single. 'My objective in a competition like this is to finish the race and not get disqualified. And yes it keeps me fit but I love that it keeps me in with all my friends. I live alone and I look forward to meeting them at swims. In Australia, we have social events, Christmas parties and those sorts.' 'I have enjoyed my time in Singapore and I hope to go to more masters events overseas after this.'
