Unequivocally happy: Singapore’s Paralympic champion Yip Pin Xiu is engaged

SINGAPORE – Swimmer Yip Pin Xiu has had a truly memorable 2024 as she won two gold medals at the Paris Games in August, but December has provided Singapore’s most decorated Paralympian with an ultimate “cherry on top of a beautiful cake”.

The 32-year-old announced her engagement to her boyfriend Bruce Boo, 33, on Dec 11. Sharing photos of the proposal on Instagram, she wrote: “Did 2024 get just even better?”

Speaking to The Straits Times on Dec 12 while on a family holiday in Penang, Yip said the proposal took place in early December, something that was not unexpected as the couple had already talked about taking the “next step”.

Yip said it was apparent from the start of that date that Boo, a pilot, had planned to propose, as he had carefully come up with an itinerary to replicate their first date.

Boo first took her to a PS.Cafe outlet, where they ordered the first drinks they had on their first date – glasses of Aperol Spritz – before they went on a curated tour at National Gallery Singapore.

Yip said: “On our first date, we also went to that museum after brunch at PS.Cafe because it was near the Sports Hub and I had to go for training after.

“This time around, he (Boo) arranged with the museum to organise a tour for us that was curated around the theme of love. It was really nice.”

They then proceeded with dinner at Asu restaurant within Labrador Nature Reserve, where Boo popped the question before a second celebration with the family at another location.

Yip said that Boo had prepared a speech but got nervous after going down on one knee and “couldn’t remember a word of it”.

“But it didn’t matter to me,” she wrote in her social media post. “This man so openly and generously expresses his love at every chance in our lives that at this moment, he did not need any words for me to understand him.

“With you, I can be softer yet more steady. I have space to be myself, I feel safe and seen. I am unequivocally happy. We are in our fiance era... time for us to plan a party!”

Yip, who met Boo through a dating app, told ST: “The year has been amazing and this is a cherry on top of a beautiful cake for me. I am pretty excited for what is to come. He’s been along on my journey for quite a while, and I think we are just excited to start the next part of my life.”

Commenting on Yip’s post, Boo said: “Baby I never thought I would ever be lucky to even have met you in my life, let alone call you my love. Cent’ Anni (100 years in Italian).”

In August, Yip retained her women’s 50m and 100m backstroke S2 titles in Paris, extending her record haul to seven golds and a silver at four Paralympic Games.

Three months later, she claimed her fourth straight Sportswoman of the Year accolade –

and fifth overall – at the Singapore Disability Sports Awards.

Wedding planning beckons in 2025, although Yip said they have yet to decide on the date. She will also be preparing for the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore from Sept 21 to 27.

While she is used to the big occasion, Yip is open to advice when it comes to her big day.

She said: “Since we announced this (engagement), a lot of people have said that wedding planning is a very long process, but I think this is something that the both of us just want to enjoy.

“If anybody has any tips on wedding planning, please let me know.”