Story by Nicole Lum/Red Sports. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports

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Toh Wei Soong in action during the Men’s 100m Butterfly event. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)

OCBC Arena, Tuesday, December 8, 2015 — Singapore’s Toh Wei Soong came away with three golds in the Men’s S8 100m backstroke, 100m freestyle and 50m freestyle with timings of 1:21.02 minutes, 1:05.46 minutes and 30.27 seconds respectively at the 8th ASEAN Para Games.

In the 100m freestyle, Toh smashed the Games Record of 1:12.70 minutes by more than eight seconds. Ernie Agat Gawilan, who set the previous record, finished second. Toh added a silver in the Men’s S8 400m freestyle, where he clocked 5:08.80 minutes.

On his silver, Toh commented: “I wouldn’t say it was a surprise, but it’s something I’ve been working towards the past few months. It’s another milestone and victory for me. I think what’s important for me is that I did my best and I tried my hardest. I can say to myself today that I did a good job.”

Toh had to cope with seven events in four days. “I’m getting pumped up actually,” said the 17-year-old midway through the competition. “As it goes on, you get more adrenaline in this environment. It’s something that I enjoy doing.”

“Playing on your own home ground is a great experience with so many other competitors from other countries,” he added.

Toh is now looking to qualify for the Paralympic Games. “The main objective for any meet is to push myself and see how far I can go and hopefully that’s good enough for the Olympics,” Toh explained.

Men’s 100m S8 Freestyle Results
1st Toh Wei Soong (Singapore) – 1:05.46 (GR)
2nd Ernie Agat Gawilan (Philippines) – 1:05.77
3rd Guntur (Indonesia) – 1:09.28
4th James Wong Tien Yu (Malaysia) – 1:12.48
5th Dang Van Cong (Vietnam) – 1:17.36
6th Nget Bo (Cambodia) – 1:18.20
7th Thanisorn Jitnarin (Thailand) – 1:18.94
8th Jeffery Nowel Anak Dana (Malaysia) – 1:23.37
9th Muhammad (Indonesia) – 1:23.50
10th Tran Dinh Son (Vietnam) – 1:30.07

Men’s 100m S8 Backstroke Results
1st Toh Wei Soong (Singapore) – 1:21.02
2nd Dang Van Cong (Vietnam) – 1:24.21
3rd Paibun Wongnonthaphum (Thailand) – 1:25.30
4th Nguyen Quang Vuong (Vietnam) – 1:44.95
5th Boonpa Chorptumdee (Thailand) – 1:53.60
6th Nguyen Van Tu (Vietnam) – 2:41.60

Men’s 50m S8 Freestyle Results
1st Tan Wei Soong (Singapore) – 30.27s
2nd Guntur (Indonesia) – 30.45s
3rd Nget Bo (Cambodia) – 31.32s
4th James Wong Tien Yu (Malaysia) – 32.18s
5th Thanisorn Jitnarin (Thailand) – 33.01s
6th Paibun Wongnonthaphum (Thailand) – 34.38s
7th Muhammad (Indonesia) – 36.13s
8th Dang Van Cong (Vietnam) – 38.31s
9th Jeffery Nowel Anak Dana (Malaysia) – 38.73s
10th Aris Wibawa (Indonesia) – 50.62s

Men’s 400m S8 Freestyle Results
1st Eernie Agat Gawilan (Philippines) – 4:48.49 (GR)
2nd Toh Wei Soong (Singapore) – 5:08.80
3rd Dang Van Cong (Vietnam) – 6:01.97
4th Jeffery Nowel Anak Dana (Malaysia) – 6:13.82
5th Boonpa Chorptumdee (Thailand) – 6:38.35
6th Boontom Moonmueang (Thailand) – 6:53.87

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