Open Water Swimmer Becomes First Singaporean to Qualify for Tokyo Olympics

June 22, 2021

Chantal Liew makes history after becoming Singapore’s first open water swimmer to qualify for the Olympics next month in Tokyo.

The winning moment: The 22-year-old open swimmer secured her spot for the Olympics after competing at the Fina Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifiers in Setubal, Portugal, last weekend, according to The Straits Times.

Liew finished 29th out of the 40 swimmers at the competition and was the best Asian swimmer after Yumi Kida and Minami Niikura, who finished 12th and 19th, respectively, from Japan.
She reportedly earned the sole continental quota spot available for Asia as Japan already gains a slot for being the host country for the Olympics.
Liew beat Nip Tsz Yin, her rival for the Asian quota spot from Hong Kong, who finished 31st in the race.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong took to Facebook on Sunday to congratulate Liew on her win.

Other details: The Olympics will take place on June 23 and will run up to Aug. 8.

Liew competed at the 2017 SEA Games where she became the first Singaporean woman to win an open water swimming medal, Today Online reported.

Featured Image via The Straits Times

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