By Ariann Khoo (26SO6B) and Shanice Foo (25S03A)
A well-deserved celebration
As the swimmers take their places on the starting blocks, the air is buzzing with anticipation and nerves. In that moment, the pool transforms into a stage of determination, skill and sheer willpower, with the countless years spent training leading up to this very moment. The silence is quickly interrupted by the sharp sound of the beep, followed by the loud splash of bodies diving into the waters in perfect synchronisation.
With every stroke meticulously executed, their kicks and breaths— perfected through the numerous hours in the pool— are precise calculations. This year, Raffles Press is proud to announce that the RI Swim Team has achieved 1st in the Girls’ category and 2nd in the Boys’ category overall.
Highlights of the Day:
Boys 100 Meter Freestyle Event
Matthew Ang Yuzhe (25A01C) clinched first, sharing the podium with Nathan Lim Jie (25S06F) in third. Joseph Lee (25SO6G) came in close behind them in sixth, followed by Cayden Lim Guan Yu (25S06G) in ninth.
Girls 100 Meter Butterfly Event
Lynette Some Xuan Hui (25S03P) emerged as the top performer, proudly taking first. Close on her heels was Seira Yang (26S03B), who secured a strong second, while Audrey Mak Zi Ning (25S06I) also delivered an impressive swim, finishing fourth.
Boys 50 Meter Breaststroke Event
Marcus Choo Zhengxing (25S06R) shared the podium with Reyes Ng Rui Kai (25S06B) in second and third places respectively.
Girls and Boys 4 x 50 Meter Freestyle Relay
Girls 1st
Boys 2nd
Making a Splash — How it all began
It’s not uncommon for swimmers to dive into their sport almost as soon as they learn to walk — mastering the breaststroke just as their feet find balance on land.
Matthew began swimming at 4, in the 50-metre pool at Saint Andrew’s Secondary School. At the time, the full length was too much for him, so he started with just 25 metres, often using a kickboard to help him across. From those cautious first paddles, he started to move towards greater lengths, one stroke at a time.
Starting so young meant being surrounded by familiar face within the tight-knit swimming community. In fact, many of the RI swimmers had already met each other long before joining RI’s team, either as former competitors or teammates.
This year was a full circle moment for 3 of our swimmers, who wrapped up their last National School Games with the same people they began their journey alongside.
Marcus Choo“In [one of my earliest races], the first three placings went to me and two other boys, Nathan and Matthew. And almost a decade later, at the NSG last week, the three of us swam together on the Raffles Swim Team Relay as we all concluded our last official race as swimmers.”
The Effort Behind the Glory
Behind every medal and every victory, lies the hours spent in the pool perfecting their craft. The path to success is paved by relentless training, sacrifice, and unwavering determination.
At 4:45 AM, most people are still asleep. But for Matthew, it’s time to gear up for another morning in the pool— a routine his family has embraced since the early days. He trains 10 times a week, before and after school. Like clockwork, he wraps up his 5:30 to 7:30 AM morning sessions before heading to school for a full day of classes, only to dive back into the pool again from 4:30 to 7:00 PM.
For many swimmers, this journey has not been an individual effort. Their parents have also dedicated time and effort to supporting their swimming careers. From waking up early and driving them to the pool, to buying equipment, to showing up and supporting them at races, their parents have been an unwavering pillar of support over the past 15 years.
“[Without them], I would not be able to be the swimmer that I am today.”
Marcus Choo
“[To mum and dad], thank you for your sacrifices and for being there at every race. I love you.”
Matthew Ang
Overcoming Waves— Challenges, Triumphs, Turning Points
It wasn’t always a smooth journey to success. Swimming is largely an individual sport, where athletes constantly push their bodies to its limits. It’s a race against oneself, driven by the desire to go harder, get faster, be better. Amidst the early mornings and muscle aches, it can get extremely demoralising when it feels like one has hit an invisible wall.
Marcus recalls a particularly rough patch a few years ago when he hit a plateau: a period when, despite consistent effort, performance no longer improves.
Towards the end of primary school, many of his peers and competitors were hitting growth spurts, giving them the physical advantage of longer, faster strides. Despite training as hard as ever, he found his own progress limited — his body simply hadn’t caught up.
“So, this small boy [is] trying to race against these people a head taller than me. It was really difficult because my placing fell and I couldn’t win at all. Sometimes I wasn’t even in the top 3 or top 5 of my best events.”
The sudden decline in his performance was disheartening, and tested his ability to keep swimming. With progress no longer measured in medals and records, he relied on sheer persistence and a deep-rooted passion for the sport to carry him through.
“It takes a lot of determination and resilience, I guess, when you encounter plateaus in your journey and are not able to improve. So, having that dedication to be able to continue training and work through that, I think it’s something that most people don’t realise when they look at the sport.”
Though the path wasn’t always easy, it was shaped by core memories along the way. He fondly recalls one of his first competitions and how an experience before the race reminded him of what was most important— enjoying the sport.
“I was in the call room (which is where we go before the race). And, I remember, I was very stressed out [because] the culture behind swimming, at least for me, was that there would be a lot of pressure.”
“I saw a lady holding a big sign that said, “Have Fun”. And at the time, I was taken aback by this because, you know, I thought that swimming was about having to do your best.”
The short but simple message stuck with him. It provided a brief escape from the pressure to perform and reminded him to be present and enjoy the moment for what it was. The carefully coordinated strokes, the liberating feeling of cutting through water, the quiet beneath the surface — all hard-won through years of relentless training. It wasn’t just about the results. It was about rediscovering the devotion that had carried him through every lap, every early morning, every challenge.
Perhaps, it’s the bitter struggle that makes the taste of success so sweet.
The Ripples of Reflection: Lasting Memories From the Pool
Like ripples unfolding across the water, the journey of a swimmer is shaped by more than just their own strokes. It’s the collective effort of their supporters, who cheered “Go! Go! Go!” as loudly as they could during their matches, and most importantly, the dedication and heartfelt effort of every swimmer.
Through this symphony of effort, their unwavering support becomes a current that carries the swimmers through moments of doubt and fatigue. It is not a solitary splash, but a wave of triumph built by many hands and hearts, each ripple a testament to the power of resilience.
“When we are standing on the blocks, I can hear all the cheers and everything. It really means a lot to us.”
Marcus Choo
“No matter what we do, no matter where we go, swimming will always hold a special place in our hearts”
For the Year 6 swimmers, this final season marks the end of their swimming journey here at RI. Despite the numerous stressful competitions, the pressure, and the strenuous training, we hope it’s been a wonderful journey for all of you who have made friends and communities here! Raffles Press would like to take this opportunity to say well done to all the swimmers and we wish you luck in all of your future endeavours!
