Singapore Para Swimmers Smash 7 National Records at World Series in Japan

Singapore’s para swimmers delivered a record-breaking performance at the Para Swimming World Series Fuji-Shizuoka 2026 in Japan, returning with seven national records and nine personal bests across three days of competition.

Held from 29 to 31 May at the Shizuoka Prefectural Pool, the event drew 264 athletes from 29 countries and served as a key international test ahead of next year’s Asian Para Games.

Among Singapore’s standout performers were Sophie Soon and Moza Alyka Baihakki, both of whom achieved the Minimum Qualifying Standard (MQS) for the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

Sophie Soon Breaks National Record Twice in One Day

Visually impaired swimmer Sophie Soon enjoyed a remarkable meet, setting four national records and four personal bests.

One of her most notable achievements came in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB11, where she broke her own national record twice on the same day.

Soon also secured the MQS for the 2026 Asian Para Games in the Women’s 100m Freestyle S11 after clocking 1 minute and 23 seconds.

The strong showing adds to the experienced swimmer’s growing list of achievements on the international stage.

Moza Alyka Baihakki Impresses at First World Series

Competing in her first World Series event, Moza Alyka Baihakki announced herself with an impressive performance.

The young swimmer set two national records and four personal bests during the competition.

Her time of 38.24 seconds in the Women’s 50m Freestyle S9 Youth Final broke a national record that had stood since 2011.

Moza also met the Asian Para Games qualifying mark in the Women’s 100m Freestyle S9 with a time of 1 minute 30.94 seconds.

The breakthrough results mark a significant milestone for the rising athlete as she gains experience against international competition.

Darren Chan Adds Another National Record

Darren Chan also contributed to Singapore’s record haul.

He set a new national record and personal best in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke SB14 heats, continuing the team’s strong run throughout the meet.

Fellow para swimmers Danielle Moi, Toh Wei Soong and Wong Zhi Wei also competed across multiple events and represented Singapore at the international competition.

Encouraging Signs Ahead of Asian Para Games

The competition offered an encouraging glimpse of Singapore’s preparations for the 2026 Asian Para Games.

With two swimmers already achieving qualifying standards and several athletes posting career-best performances, the team leaves Japan with renewed momentum and confidence heading into the next major phase of the para sports calendar.

For Singapore’s para swimming squad, the numbers alone tell an impressive story: seven national records, nine personal bests, and a reminder that years of training are beginning to translate into results on the international stage.