In a remarkable achievement that has the sports world buzzing, Singaporean swimmer Quah Ting Wen has etched her name in history by becoming the most decorated athlete in Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) history. This landmark moment occurred when she clinched her 35th gold medal in the women's 100m butterfly final during the 33rd SEA Games held in Thailand on Saturday.
Ting entered the competition with a sense of determination and confidence, aiming to reclaim the title she last won in 2019—a notable break in her otherwise impressive career filled with accolades. As the race began, she found herself trailing behind her younger sister, Quah Jing Wen, for the first half of the race. Yet, showcasing her experience and skill, Ting executed a fierce sprint in the final stretch, finishing with an impressive time of 59.76 seconds, narrowly securing the gold by just 0.01 seconds.
Thailand’s Napatsawan took home the bronze medal, clocking in at 1:01.57.
The poignant moment came as the two sisters glanced at the scoreboard together, sharing an embrace that spoke volumes about their bond. On the podium, Ting held her sister’s hand tightly, embodying strength and composure, while Jing was visibly moved, shedding tears after facing a challenging meet, especially following her earlier bronze finish in the 200m butterfly event—her signature race.
When the announcer called Ting’s name as the champion, she ascended to the top step of the podium, raising her arms in triumph to acknowledge the cheering crowd. This victory not only marked her individual success but also celebrated a significant milestone in her career: it was her 35th gold medal across ten SEA Games appearances, a journey that began back in 2005 at the Games in the Philippines.
In addition to her staggering 35 golds, Quah Ting Wen has also secured 22 silver and 6 bronze medals, officially crowning her as the most decorated athlete in SEA Games history. She has surpassed the previous record of 62 total medals held by another Singapore swimming icon, Joscelin Yeo. However, Yeo still holds the record for the most gold medals won at the SEA Games, with a total of 40.
The Singapore Swimming Association expressed their admiration for this historic achievement, stating: "This is truly an extraordinary accomplishment and a powerful testament to consistency at the highest level. We also take this opportunity to honor Joscelin Yeo, whose long-standing record has inspired countless swimmers over the years. This moment signifies both the legacy and enduring strength of Singapore swimming, from its pioneering days to the current era."
Following this family celebration, Quah Zheng Wen, the middle sibling, took to the water for the men's 100m butterfly. He mirrored his sister's triumph by claiming gold with a swift time of 52.25 seconds, finishing nearly a second ahead of Indonesia’s Joe Aditya, who finished in 53.14 seconds. Since making his debut at the SEA Games in 2011, Quah Zheng Wen has amassed an impressive collection of 34 gold, 14 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
Meanwhile, the youngest sibling, Quah Jing Wen, aged 25, has also made significant contributions to the family's medal tally, earning 20 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze medals throughout her career. Altogether, the Quah siblings have collectively achieved a total of 89 gold, 39 silver, and 15 bronze medals, setting a new standard in the history of the SEA Games with 12 records along the way.
