SEA Games 2025: A Remarkable Golden Debut for 14-Year-Old Singapore Swimmer Julia Yeo
SINGAPORE – The last day has been a whirlwind for Julia Yeo, a 14-year-old swimmer from Singapore, following her unexpected participation in the women’s 4x100m medley relay final at the SEA Games.
Just 24 hours ago, Julia was in the stands, cheering enthusiastically for her teammates. Suddenly, her world turned upside down when she was informed, only 20 minutes before the race, that she would be stepping in to swim the backstroke leg of the relay. This change came after Levenia Sim had to withdraw due to a shoulder injury sustained during warm-ups.
In a rush against time, Julia quickly donned a swimsuit that didn’t even belong to her. With just two minutes to spare, she slipped into a friend’s parka and hurried to the pool.
Before she could fully process what was happening, she found herself swimming her segment of the race. This spontaneous substitution culminated in a stunning victory, as Julia, joining forces with Quah Ting Wen, Quah Jing Wen, and Letitia Sim, achieved a record-setting time of 4 minutes and 5.79 seconds. This win not only secured the gold medal but also maintained Singapore’s dominance in this event, having won it since 2003.
Reflecting on her experience, Julia expressed, "This was my first SEA Games, and after missing out on a medal in the 200m backstroke, winning gold feels incredibly special to me. I aim to win an individual gold medal at the next SEA Games and hope to break more records and achieve personal bests."
Julia shared her thoughts with the media at Changi Airport on December 16, shortly after her swim team returned home from Thailand. Their impressive campaign concluded with a total of 19 gold medals, 8 silvers, and 7 bronzes.
Entering the competition without any expectations helped alleviate pressure, a strategy that proved effective for her.
Another highlight of her performance was setting a national record in the women’s 200m backstroke, finishing fourth with a time of 2:16.51, surpassing Tao Li's previous record of 2:17.12 set in 2009. She also achieved a personal best in the 100m back final, clocking in at 1:04.75.
Her inaugural SEA Games experience has instilled a newfound confidence in her, making it the perfect early birthday gift as she prepares to celebrate her 15th birthday on December 27. Julia remarked, "This competition has significantly bolstered my self-confidence. I’ve learned that I can perform independently and swim the 100m back without prior warm-up. I feel mentally prepared, knowing I have trained diligently for this moment."
Another standout swimmer at the Games was Mikkel Lee, who brought home four gold medals, including victories in the men’s 50m and 100m freestyle. For the 23-year-old athlete, this meet underscored the importance of self-trust, especially after he faced self-doubt leading up to the event.
A challenging training session prior to his trip to Thailand had shaken his confidence, but Mikkel credited his support network for keeping him grounded. He drew motivation from his favorite English Premier League team, Arsenal, and the song "Let It All Work Out" by Lil Wayne, which played during the announcement video of Eberechi Eze’s transfer to the club from Crystal Palace.
His pivotal moment arrived during his first event, the 100m freestyle, where he achieved a personal best of 48.65 seconds. Mikkel noted, "I didn't have any specific time in mind, but hitting 48.65 felt like a significant leap from the 49.1 I've been stuck at for the past two and a half years. That day marked a turning point for my confidence throughout the meet."
Returning home carried unique significance for veteran swimmer Ting Wen, who secured three golds, one silver, and one bronze, elevating her SEA Games total to an impressive 65 medals. This achievement allowed her to surpass her compatriot Joscelin Yeo’s previous record of 62 medals at the regional games.
Ting Wen stated, "It’s always wonderful to return home to the support of friends and family. However, this experience feels different as I ponder whether this might be my final edition of the Games. I’m focusing on being present and appreciating every moment. When we’re younger, we often look ahead too much, forgetting to cherish our experiences. Right now, I want to savor this time with my loved ones."
This article was originally published in The Straits Times. Permission is required for reproduction.
