Paralympics: S'pore's Sophie Soon 4th in SB12 100m breaststroke final

Sophie Soon touched home in 1min 29.52sec at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre to finish behind bronze medallist Yaryna Matlo from Ukraine. PHOTO: SINGAPORE DISABILITY SPORTS COUNCIL

SINGAPORE - Singapore swimmer Sophie Soon marked the end of her Paralympics debut with a fourth-place finish in the women's SB12 100m breaststroke final on Wednesday (Sept 1).

The 24-year-old touched home in 1min 29.52sec at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre to finish behind bronze medallist Yaryna Matlo (1:20.31) from Ukraine.

Brazilian Maria Carolina Gomes Santiago won the event in a Paralympic Games record of 1:14.89, with the Russian Paralympic Committee's Daria Lukianenko taking silver in 1:17.55.

After the race, Soon, who is visually impaired, said: "I am overall very happy even though it's not a personal best or season best. But in terms of ranking, and for my Paralympic debut, I am very happy with the outcome and to come in 4th.

"What makes me happier was that there was a Singaporean crowd there cheering me on. I could here them cheering and screaming and I could hear how happy and excited they were after the race ended.

"I'm really happy to have done them proud and that they are happy about the race. It reminds me of why I'm a Team Singapore athlete and I want to represent my country here. It is a big honour that I can do so here at the Tokyo Paralympics."

This was Soon's second event at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Last week, she finished 18th out of 18 swimmers in the women's S13 100m butterfly heats.

Soon will now be taking a short break before she begins preparations for next year's Asian Para Games in Hangzhou and the World Para Swimming Championships in Portugal.

She said: "I want to get back and set new personal bests for my next season, especially for next year's Asian Para Games and the world championships. I'll definitely be pushing on for these competitions."

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