Singaporean of the Year finalist: Paralympic champion Yip Pin Xiu staying in her own lane

SINGAPORE – When Yip Pin Xiu was 15 and a rising talent in the swimming pool, she was taught a key lesson by a sports psychologist that has stayed with her throughout her career.

She was then competing in a race in Germany and “very excitedly snatched” the printed start list for her event as she was eager to see who she was up against.

In an interview with The Straits Times, Yip said the sports psychologist, Dr Andrea Furst, “gently took this piece of paper away from me”.

Dr Furst told her that “it doesn’t matter how fast your competitors swim because at the end of the day, you are going to swim your own race, in your own lane, focus on your own times, and only you can control your own times”.

That career-defining lesson became the cornerstone of her journey, guiding the 32-year-old as she rose to become one of the Republic’s biggest sporting stars.

Yip said: “This was really one of the biggest lessons I’ve had, to stay in my lane and not worry about the things that I cannot control. Even my disability – knowing that it’s not something I can control, but how to make the best out of it.”

The swimmer has certainly made the most of herself, despite being diagnosed at two years old with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which causes the muscles to progressively weaken.

It did not stop her from winning titles at major events such as the Asean Para Games, Asian Para Games and Paralympics.

In 2024, she had a banner year in and out of the pool.

In February, she became the first para-athlete to have a wax figure at Madame Tussauds Singapore. Six months later at the Paris Paralympics, Yip retained her women’s 50m and 100m backstroke S2 titles, extending her record haul to seven golds and a silver in five editions of the Games.

It was also the third consecutive Games where Singapore’s most decorated Paralympian clinched a double triumph.

The following month, Yip and her Paralympian teammates went on an open-top bus parade through the heart of the city, soaking in the cheers and congratulations from fellow Singaporeans.

Three months later, she claimed her fourth straight Sportswoman of the Year accolade – and fifth overall – at the Singapore Disability Sports Awards.

It was a phenomenal year for Yip, capped off when she became engaged to her boyfriend, Mr Bruce Boo, 33, in early December.

Beyond her sporting talent, the former nominated MP is also a disability advocate and has used her platform to push for more inclusiveness in Singapore society. In September, Yip, who has used a wheelchair since her early teens, called for a kinder and more empathetic society as she highlighted the issues she has faced when commuting.

For flying Singapore’s flag proudly on the international stage and being a role model to three distinct groups – persons with disabilities, athletes and women – Yip is a finalist for the Singaporean of the Year award, organised by The Straits Times.

The award is given to a Singaporean, or a group of citizens, who has made a significant contribution to society.

This can be through achievements that put Singapore on the world stage, or by going beyond the call of duty to selflessly improve the lives of others in the community, among other ways.

The award, now in its 10th year, is presented by UBS Singapore. This is Yip’s fourth appearance as a finalist after nominations in 2015, 2016 and 2021.

When asked about being a role model, Yip broke into a wide smile, admitting that the recognition gave her goosebumps.

She added: “I don’t set out every day to want to be somebody that people see as a role model. I think I do what I have to, and I’m very fortunate that they are inspired by what I do. It gives me a lot of meaning... and I will continue working very hard.”

Aside from planning for her wedding, she will be busy preparing for the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore from Sept 21 to 27.

Yip said: “I would like to think that there is Los Angeles 2028 (Paralympics) on the cards. But right now, we are focusing on the World Championships happening in Singapore.

“The community is very excited to come to Singapore to compete. We’re just really focusing, and training really hard for that.”

A sixth Paralympic Games may be on the cards and one thing is clear: Yip is focused on herself and staying in her lane.

The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year (SOTY) is an award that is given to a Singaporean or group of citizens who have made a significant contribution to society. This can be through achievements that put Singapore on the world stage, or by going beyond the call of duty to selflessly improve the lives of others in the community, among other ways.

Organised by The Straits Times and presented by UBS Singapore, the annual award is now in its 10th year. The official airline partner is Singapore Airlines and the global hotel and Awards reception partner is Millennium Hotels and Resorts.

• For more info on SOTY, go to 

  https://www.straitstimes.com/soty24

Prizes for award recipient and finalists

Award recipient receives

• $20,000 cash

• One pair of Singapore Airlines business class tickets for each individual/group, up to three pairs of tickets for the winning group

• A five-night stay in any of Millennium Hotels and Resorts’ properties globally, up to a maximum of three sets of accommodation for the winning group

Finalist receives

• $5,000 cash for each individual/group

• One pair of Singapore Airlines economy class tickets for each individual/group, up to a maximum of three pairs for each group of finalists

• A three-night stay in one of Millennium Hotels and Resorts’ properties globally, up to a maximum of three sets of accommodation for each finalist.