Yip Pin Xiu Finishes First In 50m Backstroke, Defends Title From 2016 Rio Paralympics
The Tokyo Paralympics is almost reaching its conclusion, but the competition is far from over.
On Thursday (2 Sep), Singapore swimmer Yip Pin Xiu came in first for the women’s 50m backstroke S2 event.
Completing her swim in a time of 1:02.04 at the Tokyo Aquatics centre, Yip successfully defended the title she won in Rio back in 2016.
The achievement also gave Yip a new season-best record.
Yip Pin Xiu clinches gold in 50m backstroke S2
As the athletes readied themselves for the 50m women’s backstroke S2 event on Thursday (2 Sep), all eyes – and expectations – were on Yip Pin Xiu.
Yip trailed slightly behind Japan’s Miyuki Yamada at the beginning of the race, who led the pack in the 5th lane, right beside her.
Yip Pin Xiu (left) and Miyuki Yamada (right)
Source
But our defending champion turned up the heat and overtook Miyuki seconds later, around the 35-second mark.
Yip continued with fast, powerful strokes, pulling ahead of the other swimmers.
She eventually finished in 1st place with a time of 1:02.04.
Miyuki and China’s Feng Yazhu came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Yip’s 2nd gold medal at Tokyo Paralympics
With this victory, Yip brings home the 2nd gold medal for Singapore in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Last week, she clinched 1st place in the 100m backstroke S2 event whilst setting a new world record.
Yip Pin Xiu Finishes First In Women’s 100m Backstroke, Brings Home Gold Medal For S’pore
The 29-year-old is the defending champion in this event.
Her swim today was a season-best record for her, reported Channel NewsAsia (CNA).
Yip had once again proved her swimming prowess to the world this year this Paralympics, dominating in her heats and her final swims.
With her win today, she concludes her successful Tokyo campaign, bringing home 2 more gold medals.
Congratulations on an amazing performance
Yip Pin Xiu now has 5 Paralympic golds and 1 silver medal to her name.
Congratulations, Pin Xiu, on another amazing performance! No doubt, Singaporeans are definitely proud of her.
Meanwhile, swimmer Toh Wei Soong will be competing in the men’s 50m butterfly S7 heats and final event.
This will be Team Singapore’s final event at the Tokyo Paralympics, so don’t forget to tune in to show your support!
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Featured image adapted from Sport Singapore on Facebook.
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