Theresa Goh

Infobox Swimmer
swimmername = Theresa Goh


imagesize =
caption =
fullname = Theresa Goh Rui Si
nicknames =
nationality = Singaporean
strokes = Breaststroke, freestyle
club =
collegeteam =
birthdate = birth date and age|1987|2|16|df=yes
birthplace = Singapore
deathdate =
deathplace =
height = convert|1.20|m|ftin|abbr=on (2002)citation|title=Athlete biography: Rui Si Theresa GOH – Singapore SIN|url=http://m2002.thecgf.com/results/default.asp?ath=2597|publisher=|year=2002|accessdate=2008-09-05 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGqVxJNe).]
weight = convert|50|kg|lb|abbr=on (2008)citation|author=Jeanette Wang|title=Super-fast strokes: Pin Xiu and Goh make up for their disability by training twice a day|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=6 September 2008|page=C34.]
medaltemplates =

Theresa Goh Rui Si (zh-cp|c=吴蕊思|p=Wú Ruǐsī, pronounced|wu rueɪ sɨ, respelled|woo ruay sir) (born 16 February 1987) is a Singaporean Paralympic swimmer. Due to congenital spina bifida, she does not have use of her legs. Nonetheless, she started swimming at the age of five years, and began competitive swimming at age 12. She soon established herself as a top competitor, winning medals at, among others, the ASEAN ParaGames (2001, 2003, 2005 and 2008), Far East and South Pacific Games Federation for the Disabled (FESPIC) Games (now known as the Asian Para Games) (2002), International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF) World Wheelchair Games (2003), National Swimming Championships (2004), and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Swimming Championships (2006).

In March 2007, at the Danish Open in Esbjerg, Denmark, Goh took top honours in the 100 metres breaststroke, 100 metres butterfly, 100 freestyle and 200 metres individual medley. At the 4th ASEAN ParaGames held in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Thailand, in January 2008, Goh broke the record she set in May 2007 at the German International Disability Swimming Championships to win the gold in the 50 metres breaststroke in a world and FESPIC record time of 52.62 seconds. She achieved another gold in the 200 metres freestyle. Goh took part in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing in the 50 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres freestyle, and in the 100 metres breaststroke.

Goh competes in sport class S5 for the freestyle, SB4 for the breaststroke and SM5 for the individual medley. As of 22 August 2008, she held the world record for the 50 metres and 200 metres breaststroke, and was ranked second in the world for the 100 metres breaststroke and third for the 200 metres individual medley. Goh received the 2001 Sportsgirl Merit Award from the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and was named Sportsgirl of the Year in 2002 and 2003. From 2004 to 2006, she was the SDSC's Sportswoman of the Year. On 27 February 2008 Goh received a special award at the SDSC's Sports Superstar Awards 2007 for outstanding achievements in swimming, and in August that year she was conferred the "Pingat Bakti Masyarakat" (Public Service Medal) in the National Day Awards.

Early life and education

Theresa Goh was born on 16 February 1987 in Singapore, the eldest of three children [Goh's siblings are Marissa (aged 20 in 2008), a graphic designer, and Nicholas (aged 17), a first-year junior college student: citation|author=June Cheong|title='I want to own a car and a place of my own'|url=http://www.asiaone.com/Just%2BWoman/News/Women%2BIn%2BThe%2BNews/Story/A1Story20080723-78269.html|newspaper=The Straits Times (Mind Your Body) (reproduced on AsiaOne)|date=23 July 2008|accessdate=2008-09-04.] of Bernard Goh, [citation|title=Singapore's next big Olympic hope: Two days in the life of our paralympic swimmer Therasa Goh|url=http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,175483,00.html|newspaper=The Electric New Paper|date=4 September 2008|accessdate=2008-09-05.] the general manager of an engineering company, and Rose, a housewife.citation|author=June Cheong|title='I want to own a car and a place of my own'|url=http://www.asiaone.com/Just%2BWoman/News/Women%2BIn%2BThe%2BNews/Story/A1Story20080723-78269.html|newspaper=The Straits Times (Mind Your Body) (reproduced on AsiaOne)|date=23 July 2008|accessdate=2008-09-04.] Because she was born prematurely at seven months, her parents were worried she might not survive. They were also shocked to discover that she had congenital spina bifida, which results in an incompletely formed spinal cord, as the condition had not been detected during her mother's pregnancy.citation|author=Jeanette Wang|title=Breakthrough? Theresa and Pin Xiu look set to win medals|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=2 September 2008|page=B11.] Goh had surgery at four months to close the opening at the base of her spine where her spinal cord was protruding. Due to her condition, she does not have use of her legs and relies on a wheelchair for mobility. She is also partially hearing-impaired due to an undeveloped left ear. Regarding her disabilities, she has said: "I'm fine with it. I [wouldn't] be swimming or where I am today if I weren't disabled."

Goh, who was introduced to swimming at the age of five years,citation|title=Singapore Youth Awards 2005: Sports and adventure (individual): Ms Theresa Goh Rui Si|url=http://www.sya.sg/awardees2000s/SYA2005/2005_Sports%20&%20Adventure_Theresa%20Goh.pdf|publisher=National Youth Council|year=2005|accessdate=2008-09-04 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGmp3ZAB).] attended Tampines North Primary School and Dunman Secondary School. She embarked on a Diploma in Moving Images at Temasek Polytechnic in 2005. [citation|title=Gutsy Theresa wins Singapore Youth Award|url=http://www.tp.edu.sg/ezines/intempo/aug_-_oct_2005/student2.htm|journal=Intempo|location=Singapore|publisher=Temasek Polytechnic|date=August–October 2005 (last updated 15 December 2006).] As of January 2008, she was studying applied psychology at Raffles College, a private educational institute in Singapore. [citation|title=Kudos to Theresa for making Singapore proud|url=http://www.raffles-college.edu.sg/rsp_event_popup/Theresa/Theresa.html|publisher=Raffles College|date=January 2008|accessdate=2008-09-05.]

porting career

Goh competes in sport class S5 for the freestyle, SB4 for the breaststroke and SM5 for the individual medley.citation|title=Thrashing ex-Paralympians and world record holders, Theresa brings back world champion title|url=http://www.sdsc.org.sg/news_and_media/news_detail/257/|publisher=Singapore Disability Sports Council|date=December 2006|accessdate=2008-09-03 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGn3C57T).] [citation|title=IPC Swimming: Swimming Classification Manual|url=http://www.paralympic.org/release/Summer_Sports/Swimming/Classification/IPC_Swimming_Classification_Manual_2005-2008.pdf|date=February 2005|accessdate=2008-09-04|pages=10, 47–48, 65–66.] She began competitive swimming at 12 years, winning two gold medals at the National Swimming Championships in 1999. She soon established herself as a top competitor, achieving a run of four gold medals at the 10th Malaysian Paralympic Games and ASEAN Invitation Championships in 2000. At the inaugural ASEAN ParaGames in Kuala Lumpur in 2001, she garnered six gold and two silver medals, and broke the world record in the 50 metres breaststroke. She was named Sportswoman of the Games, and also picked up the 2001 Sportsgirl Merit Award from the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC).citation|title=Sports Award Night 2003|url=http://www.sdsc.org.sg/news_and_media/media_detail/153/|publisher=Singapore Disability Sports Association|date=12 December 2003|accessdate=2008-09-05 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGnC4sSJ).] In the same year at the Australian National Junior Disabled Games, she won five gold and two silver medals, and broke four games records. She achieved three gold and one silver medal at the Far East and South Pacific Games Federation for the Disabled (FESPIC) Games (now known as the Asian Para Games) held between 26 October and 1 November 2002 in Busan, South Korea. [citation|author=Sim Chi Yin|title=Triple gold triumph: Singapore athletes won nine medals at the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled in Busan|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=November 2002.] At the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, although she did not pick up any medals she achieved games records of 51.05 seconds in the 50 metres freestyle and 1 minute 48.00 seconds in the 100 metres freestyle. In 2003, at the 2nd ASEAN ParaGames in Hanoi, Goh gained three golds, breaking three games records at the same time. She also swept the golds in the 50 metres backstroke, 100 metres breaststroke, 50 metres butterfly, and the 50, 100 and 200 metres freestyle in Christchurch at the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF) World Wheelchair Games in 2003. She was named Sportsgirl of the Year in 2002 and 2003.

At the 2004 British Paralympic Trials, she was first in the 200 metres individual medley and broke her personal best in six events. That year she also took home a stunning ten gold medals at the National Swimming Championships. In her Paralympics début at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, she finished fifth in the 100 metres freestyle. [citation|title=Paralympic results for 24 September|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/paralympics/results/3663160.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 October 2004.] She went on to complete three record-breaking swims at the 3rd ASEAN ParaGames in Manila in December 2005, breaking her own games records set at the 2003 ParaGames in the 50 metres butterfly and 100 metres freestyle events, and setting a new FESPIC record in the 100 metres butterfly.citation|title=Results for Singaporean swimmers at the 3rd ASEAN ParaGames|url=http://www.teamsingapore.com.sg/publish/etc/medialib/games/manila05/apg_-_swimming.Par.0006.File.tmp/swimming191205.xls|publisher=Team Singapore, Singapore Sports Council|date=19 December 2005|accessdate=2008-09-05 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGnPTI24).] In March 2006, "Her World" magazine named her Young Woman Achiever 2005. [citation|title=Woman of the Year 2005: Her World's tribute to two outstanding women|url=http://www.sph.com.sg/news/latest/press_060301_003.html|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=1 March 2006|accessdate=2008-09-04.] She competed at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Swimming Championships in South Africa in December 2006, winning a gold medal in the 200 metres individual medley and being pipped to first place in the 100 metres breaststroke by Israel's Inbal Pezaro by just 0.04 seconds. She also achieved a personal best time of 3 minutes 22.66 seconds in the 200 metres freestyle. She was the SDSC's Sportswoman of the Year from 2004 to 2006.citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn|title=Singapore's Paralympians settle in well at Games Village|url=http://www.todayonline.com/articles/274407.asp|newspaper=Today|date=3 September 2008|page=30 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGnYfU9J).]

Goh took the top honours in the 100 metres breaststroke, 100 metres butterfly, 100 freestyle and 200 metres individual medley at the Danish Open in Esbjerg, Denmark, between 9 and 11 March 2007. [See the "Medals" section below, and citation|author=Ashikin Hashim|title=Breaking barriers|url=http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/printfriendly/0,4139,126408,00.html|newspaper=The Electric New Paper|date=2 April 2007|accessdate=2008-09-05.] In August, at the Paralympic Swimming Championships in Osaka, she broke competition records in the 50 metres butterfly, 100 metres backstroke and 200 metres individual medley, and took a silver in the 200 metres freestyle.citation|title=Singapore win seven medals in Japan|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=21 August 2007; citation|title=Theresa stars|newspaper=Today|date=21 August 2007|page=36.] At the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Wheelchair and Amputee Games 2007 in Taipei the following month, she gained three gold, three silver and one bronze medal and attained two personal bests. [citation|title=Disabled athletes win 14 medals at World Games in Taipei|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=18 September 2007; citation|title=S'poreans shine at world meet|newspaper=Today|date=21 September 2007|page=73.] Despite not training intensively for the 4th ASEAN ParaGames held in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Thailand, between 20 and 26 January 2008, and regarding the competition as part of her training for the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing in September, Goh broke the record she set in May 2007 at the German International Disability Swimming Championships to win the gold in the 50 metres breaststroke in a world and FESPIC record time of 52.62 seconds. She also achieved golds in the 100 metres breaststroke and 200 metres freestyle.citation|author=Low Lin Fhoong|title=3 more golds|newspaper=Today|date=26 January 2008|page=54; citation|author=Arun Raj|title=Goh-ing for world glory: She is the toast of the town right now with her record-breaking feats|url=http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/printfriendly/0,4139,154770,00.html|newspaper=The Electric New Paper|date=28 January 2008|accessdate=2008-09-05. See also citation|title=Theresa Goh rewrites 50m Breaststroke (SB4) a second time|url=http://www.sdsc.org.sg/news_and_media/media_detail/486/|publisher=Singapore Disability Sports Council|date=22 January 2008|accessdate=2008-09-05.] In April, she participated in the US Paralympics Trials in Minneapolis. She took gold medals in the 100 metres breaststroke and the 50 metres and 200 metres freestyle, and achieved a FESPIC record time of 55.09 seconds in the heats of the 50 metres butterfly.citation|title=IPC swimming Asian region records, long course, women|url=http://www.paralympic.org/release/Summer_Sports/Swimming/Records/13_08_08_Fespic_records_LongC_Women.pdf|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|date=15 September 2008|accessdate=2008-10-02 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGrf5FiQ).] citation|title=Results of US Paralympics 2008 SIN|url=http://www.sdsc.org.sg/download/Results%20of%20US%20Paralympics%202008%20SIN.pdf|publisher=Singapore Disability Sports Council|date=April 2008|accessdate=2008-09-05 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGnhBLKZ).] She was one of three people given the Youth Inspiration Award at the Stars of SHINE Award 2008 organized by the National Youth Council and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports to recognize outstanding young people who have overcome personal difficulties and contributed to the community, [citation|author=Hedy Khoo|title=Good things come in threes|url=http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/printfriendly/0,4139,172337,00.html|newspaper=The Electric New Paper|date=4 August 2008|accessdate=2008-09-04.] and on 27 February 2008 received a special award at the SDSC's Sports Superstar Awards 2007 for outstanding achievements in swimming. [citation|title=13 athletes honoured|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Sports/Story/STIStory_211230.html|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=28 February 2008.] In August 2008, Goh was conferred the "Pingat Bakti Masyarakat" (Public Service Medal) in the National Day Awards. [citation|title=The Public Service Medal: Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports|url=http://www.pmo.gov.sg/NationalHonoursandAwards/2008/ThePublicServiceMedal/Page3|publisher=Prime Minister's Office|date=14 August 2008|accessdate=2008-09-05.]

Goh's personal best times as of September 2008 were 43.55 seconds for the 50 metres freestyle, 54.99 seconds for the 50 metres butterfly, 1 minute 32.92 seconds for the 100 metres freestyle,citation|title=Goh sixth in 100m free|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=8 September 2008|page=B11; citation|author=Shamir Osman|title=Goh posts two personal bests in one day|url=http://www.todayonline.com/articles/274672.asp|newspaper=Today|date=8 September 2008|page=28 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGpSDEeX).] 1 minute 58.14 seconds for the 100 metres breaststroke, and 3 minutes 14.22 seconds for the 200 metres freestyle.citation|title=Goh sets another national record|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=10 September 2008|page=B14; citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn|title=Tan the history-maker: She keeps her cool to win Singapore's first Paralympic medal|url=http://www.todayonline.com/articles/275052.asp|newspaper=Today|date=10 September 2008|page=32 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGpbn8vM).] As of 22 August 2008, Goh held the world record for the 50 metres and 200 metres breaststroke.citation|title=IPC swimming world records, long course, women|url=http://www.paralympic.org/release/Summer_Sports/Swimming/Records/15_09_08_WR-Long_Course_Women.pdf|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|date=15 September 2008|accessdate=2008-10-02 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGs6CPOX).] She was ranked second in the world for the 100 metres breaststroke, third for the 200 metres individual medley, sixth for the 100 and 200 metres freestyle, seventh for the 50 metres butterfly and eighth for the 50 metres freestyle. [citation|title=IPC swimmer ranking|url=http://www.paralympic.org/release/Summer_Sports/Swimming/Rankings/22_08_2008_womens_LC.pdf|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|date=22 August 2008|accessdate=2008-09-04 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGpndzg7).] Her current training schedule involves two-hour sessions at the Farrer Park Swimming Complex twice a day, except on Wednesday mornings and Sundays, which works out to about convert|42|km|mi a week. She also works out in the gym three times a week.

Goh was the flagbearer for Team Singapore at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, [citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn|title=Goh will carry the flag: Swimmer will lead Team Singapore out at the opening ceremony of Paralympic Games|url=http://www.todayonline.com/articles/274580.asp|newspaper=Today|date=6 September 2008|page=65 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGpyylM1).] and competed in the 50 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres freestyle, and in the 100 metres breaststroke. [citation|author=Tan Yo-Hinn|title=The swim's on her mind: Singapore's medal hope Goh not getting all excited over the Water Cube|url=http://www.todayonline.com/articles/274472.asp|newspaper=Today|date=4 September 2008|page=63 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGq8QRru).] On the first day of competition, 7 September, she finished sixth in the 100 metres freestyle but achieved two personal bests in the heats (1 minute 33.20 seconds) and finals (1 minute 32.92 seconds). Two days later she narrowly missed a bronze in the 200 metres freestyle, finishing fourth with a new personal best time and national record of 3 minutes 14.22 seconds. Her split time of 1 minute 32.54 seconds was also a new national record for the 100 metres freestyle. [citation|author=Mindy Tan|title=She's totally focused: S'pore's Theresa Goh is calm as she prepares for her best event on Friday|url=http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,176231,00.html|publisher=The Electric New Paper|date=11 September 2008|accessdate=2008-09-13.] According to her coach, former Olympian Ang Peng Siong, her best chance of a medal lay in the 100 metres breaststroke. Her personal best time for this event is 1 minute 58.14 seconds, which she achieved in May 2007 at the International German Championships in Berlin.citation|author=Ernest Luis|title=Made in Singapore, will they make it in Beijing?|url=http://www.tnp.sg/sports/story/0,4136,175536,00.html|newspaper=The Electric New Paper|date=4 September 2008|accessdate=2008-09-05. See also citation|author=Ernest Luis|title=Don't count them out: If Singapore fails to bring home an Olympic medal from Beijing in August, there's still hope from the Paralympics, held there a month after|url=http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/printfriendly/0,4139,161386,00.html|newspaper=The Electric New Paper|date=7 April 2008|accessdate=2008-09-05.] However, on 12 September, despite leading in the first 50 m with a split time of 53.26 seconds, she eventually finished fourth in a time of 2 minutes 1.99 seconds. Nonetheless, she looked forward to the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, saying "In another four years, another round. In Athens, I was fifth and, now, I'm fourth. The next time, hopefully, I won't be third but higher up." [citation|author=Sim Chi Yin|title=Goh fails in bid for gold: She finishes fourth in 100m breaststroke final, no thanks to slow finish|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=13 September 2008|page=C31; citation|author=Low Lin Fhoong|title=Agony for Goh at the Water Cube|url=http://www.todayonline.com/articles/275703.asp|newspaper=Weekend Today|date=13 September 2008|page=48 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5bGqGN4A9).] Unusually, in her final event, the 50 metres freestyle, she chose to use the breaststroke rather than the faster front crawl, finishing in 53.67 seconds and thus failing to qualify for the final. She said she did so to gain "mental closure" after having missed the bronze in the 100 metres breaststroke. [citation|author=Sim Chi Yin|title=Goh gains closure in final race|newspaper=The Straits Times (Sport)|date=16 September 2008|page=B12.]

As of January 2008, Goh was employed by Standard Chartered Bank as a marketing services officer while on their Programme for Elite Athletes. She hopes to continue swimming full time and to become a swimming coach.

Medals

Notes

References

*citation|title=Athlete biography: Rui Si Theresa GOH – Singapore SIN|url=http://m2002.thecgf.com/results/default.asp?ath=2597|publisher=|year=2002|accessdate=2008-09-05.
*citation|last=Cheong|first=June|title='I want to own a car and a place of my own'|url=http://www.asiaone.com/Just%2BWoman/News/Women%2BIn%2BThe%2BNews/Story/A1Story20080723-78269.html|newspaper=The Straits Times (Mind Your Body) (reproduced on AsiaOne)|date=23 July 2008|accessdate=2008-09-04.
*citation|title=IPC swimming FESPIC records, long course, women|url=http://www.paralympic.org/release/Summer_Sports/Swimming/Records/13_08_08_Fespic_records_LongC_Women.pdf|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|date=13 August 2008|accessdate=2008-09-04.
*citation|title=IPC swimming world records, long course|url=http://www.paralympic.org/release/Summer_Sports/Swimming/Records/13_08_08_WR-Long_Course_Women.pdf|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|date=13 August 2008|accessdate=2008-09-04.
*citation|title=Singapore Youth Awards 2005: Sports and adventure (individual): Ms Theresa Goh Rui Si|url=http://www.sya.sg/awardees2000s/SYA2005/2005_Sports%20&%20Adventure_Theresa%20Goh.pdf|publisher=National Youth Council|year=2005|accessdate=2008-09-04.
*citation|title=Sports Award Night 2003|url=http://www.sdsc.org.sg/news_and_media/media_detail/153/|publisher=Singapore Disability Sports Association|date=12 December 2003|accessdate=2008-09-05.

Further reading

*citation|title=Profile: (Ms) Theresa Goh Rui Si, 21 years old, (spina bifida), national swimmer|url=http://www.mcdonalds.com.sg/mck/Theresa_Goh(2008).pdf|publisher=McDonald's Champion Kids|year=2008|accessdate=2008-09-05.
*citation|author=Zhen-Kuang|title=Disability? It's just a tiny hurdle|url=http://www.youth.sg/content/view/5826/63/|publisher=Youth.SG, Youth Division, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports|date=14 August 2008|accessdate=2008-09-05.

External links

* [http://www.paralympic.org Official website of the International Paralympic Committee]
* [http://www.snoc.org.sg Official website of the Singapore National Olympic Council]
* [http://www.sdsc.org.sg Official website of the Singapore Disability Sports Council]
* [http://www.teamsingapore.com.sg Official website of Team Singapore, managed by the Singapore Sports Council]

Persondata
NAME = Goh, Theresa
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Goh, Theresa Rui Si
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Singaporean Paralympic swimmer
DATE OF BIRTH = 16 February 1987
PLACE OF BIRTH = Singapore
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =