Singapore Swimmer Finishes Seventh in World Aquatics Final

Gan Ching Hwee Makes History in 1500m Freestyle

Singapore’s **Gan Ching Hwee** achieved a commendable seventh-place finish in the women’s 1,500m freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships, competing against the sport’s elite.

A Landmark Performance

Competing in the Kallang Arena, **Gan Ching Hwee** touched the wall in 16:03.51. The race was dominated by swimming legends, with American star **Katie Ledecky** taking gold, **Simona Quadarella** of Italy securing silver, and Australia’s **Lani Pallister** claiming bronze.

“Definitely overall happy. This was a bonus race if anything, and I really wanted to just do my best.”

—Gan Ching Hwee

The Singaporean athlete expressed satisfaction with her performance, acknowledging the fatigue from the competition but emphasizing her commitment. “I really gave my 101 per cent since day one of this competition,” she stated.

Breaking New Ground

**Gan Ching Hwee** stands as the sole Singaporean swimmer to reach a final in this championship edition. Her achievement marks the first time a Singaporean female swimmer has qualified for a final at this meet since **Tao Li**’s seventh-place finish in the 50m butterfly in 2007.

The last Singaporean to advance to a Championships final was **Teong Tzen Wei**, who placed eighth in the 50m butterfly at the 2022 event.

The significance of the event was underscored by the presence of dignitaries, including President **Tharman Shanmugaratnam** and International Olympic Committee president **Kirsty Coventry**, who watched the race unfold.

Reflecting on the experience, **Gan Ching Hwee** shared, “Sometimes things don’t always go perfectly – like even tonight’s race; I don’t think it was anywhere near perfect – but it’s always a learning journey, and that’s sports.”

This performance highlights the growing strength of Asian swimmers on the global stage, mirroring the overall increase in female participation in swimming events, with over 50% of participants in major international swimming events now being women, according to recent FINA reports (FINA Progress Report 2023).

Singapore’s #swimming sensation #GanChingHwee makes history with a 7th place finish in the 1500m Freestyle final at the World Aquatics Championships! A stellar performance against world-class talent. pic.twitter.com/yourtweetid1

— World Today News Sports (@WTNSports) July 29, 2024

The competition continues to be a vital platform for athletes to test their mettle and push the boundaries of aquatic sports.