Tokyo Paralympics: Singapore's Toh Wei Soong breaks national record, finishes 7th in men's 50m freestyle S7 final

SINGAPORE — Singapore swimmer Toh Wei Soong finished seventh in the men's 50m freestyle S7 final at the Tokyo Paralympics on Tuesday (Aug 31), setting a new national record in the process.

Toh powered home in a time of 28.65 seconds, improving on his previous record of 29.01 seconds that he clocked in 2018 at the Asian Para Games and also during the heats earlier in Tokyo.

Andrii Trusov of Ukraine took the gold with a time of 27.43 seconds ahead of Colombia's Carlos Daniel Serrano Zarate in 27.84 seconds. Another Ukrainian, Yevhenii Bohodaiko, claimed the bronze in 27.99 seconds.

Toh qualified for the final after finishing fifth in his heat at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre earlier on Tuesday.

His qualifying time was a personal best, and equalled a national record, said Team Singapore in a Facebook post. Toh, who is competing at the Paralympics for the first time, placed eighth overall in the heats.

This is Toh's second final in three days. On Sunday, he also finished seventh in the men's 400m freestyle S7 final.

The 22-year-old, a multiple Asian Para Games gold medallist, is representing Singapore in three events at the Tokyo Paralympics.

He will swim in his third and final event at the Games, the 50m butterfly S7, on Friday. CNA

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