Theresa Goh sets new Asian mark en route to reaching breaststroke final

RIO DE JANEIRO – National para-swimmer Theresa Goh announced herself as a strong contender for Singapore’s second medal at the Rio Paralympics after she finished second overall in the heats of the women’s 100m breaststroke SB4 on Sunday night (Sept 11) and set a new Asian record in the process.

The 29-year-old, who is seeking her first-ever Paralympics medal in her pet event on her third attempt, sounded a warning to her rivals at Barra’s Olympic Aquatic Stadium when she clocked 1min 54.50sec to finish behind top qualifier Sarah Louise Rung of Norway who clocked 1:45.46.

Goh also slashed more than five seconds off her Asian record of 1:59.80 which she had set at the International Paralympic Committee European Open Championships in May.

Goh had prepared for her pet event by swimming the breaststroke during the first leg of her 200m freestyle S5 heat last Thursday.

She eventually finished last overall in the 12-strong field but revealed later to TODAY that her move to do so was her way of mentally and psychologically preparing for her 100m breaststroke event.

However, it looks she will face a fight for a place on the podium on Monday morning after Italy’s Giulia Ghiretti  and Israel’s Inbal Pezaro clocked 1:55.58 and 1:57.28  respectively to finish third and fourth overall.