SEA Games 2025 Swimming Preview: Can Singapore Dominate the Pool Again?
- John Yeong
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Record-Breaking Momentum and Rising Young Stars Fuel Singapore’s SEA Games Hopes, as Rising Regional Rivals Test Singapore’s Golden Legacy in the Water
Singapore’s swimmers are making waves long before the first starter’s gun sounds at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. With a string of record-breaking performances across international meets this year, Team Singapore looks both confident and ready to defend its decades-long dominance in the regional pool.
But as regional rivals strengthen, one question looms large — can Singapore stay ahead, or are Southeast Asia’s best finally closing the gap?
A Tradition of Excellence
Since the early 2000s, Singapore’s swimmers have consistently topped the SEA Games medal table in aquatic events. The 2023 edition in Cambodia saw Team Singapore collecting over 20 gold medals, reaffirming their dominance despite intense competition.
The nation’s deep investment in sports science, coaching infrastructure, and overseas training opportunities continues to pay dividends.
However, maintaining that supremacy won’t be easy. The rest of Southeast Asia has been quietly catching up, with countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia rapidly developing their own swimming programs and producing breakout talents.
The New Wave of Singaporean Swimmers
While stalwarts like Quah Zheng Wen and Quah Ting Wen near the twilight of their competitive careers, a promising new generation is ready to carry the torch.
Names like Letitia Sim, who has been breaking national records in breaststroke events, and Jonathan Tan, known for his explosive sprint freestyle performances, signal that Singapore’s future in the pool remains bright.
Singapore Aquatics has also emphasised youth development through enhanced coaching exchanges and international exposure, ensuring that the talent pipeline remains strong.
Teong Tzen Wei Goes Big on the World Stage
Few performances have generated as much excitement as Teong Tzen Wei’s spectacular showing at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2025 in Toronto. The 26-year-old sprint specialist shattered not one but three records — Asian Record, National Record, and Personal Best — in the Men’s 50m Butterfly (SCM), clocking a blistering 21.93s.
That swim placed him 4th overall in the world-class final and made him the 8th fastest performer in history for the event. Teong’s explosive form and renewed confidence provide a massive boost for Singapore heading into the SEA Games, where sprint events have historically been a key medal source.
Rising Depth: Chan Junhao and Mikkel Lee Break New Ground
The World Aquatics Swimming World Cup also saw Chan Junhao and Mikkel Lee smash national records in their respective events. Both swimmers displayed the kind of form that bodes well for Singapore’s relay ambitions — a traditional stronghold for the nation.
Their ability to perform under international pressure underscores a growing depth in Singapore’s men’s squad — something the team will need as it faces stronger competition from Malaysia and Vietnam in the shorter-distance freestyle and butterfly relays.
The Next Wave: Mikayla Tan and Tedd Chan Lead Junior Breakthroughs
Singapore’s dominance isn’t just about current stars — the future looks just as bright. At the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships 2025 in Romania, Mikayla Tan and Tedd Chan both rewrote the national record books.
Mikayla Tan clocked 1:09.18 in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke, setting a new National Girls’ U17 Record (LCM) and meeting the SEA Games ‘A’ cut. She went on to crush two more records at the 2025 Speedo Junior National Championships, posting 2:28.13 in the 200m Breaststroke and 2:15.20 in the 200m Individual Medley — a remarkable four records in three days.
Tedd Chan, meanwhile, hit 25.69 in the Men’s 50m Backstroke, setting a new National Boys’ U17 Record (LCM) and meeting the SEA Games ‘B’ cut.
These young swimmers represent Singapore’s future pipeline — a critical factor in sustaining the nation’s dominance in years to come.
Experienced Core Still Leading the Charge
The 2025 World Aquatics Championships Singapore offered a preview of Singapore’s senior depth.
Quah Jing Wen recorded 2:13.50 in the 200m Butterfly (21st),
Levenia Sim clocked 29.40 in the 50m Backstroke (36th),
Jonathan Tan posted 49.62 in the 100m Freestyle (38th), and
Zackery Tay finished in 2:03.55 in the 200m Individual Medley (33rd).
In the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay, the quartet of Zackery Tay, Chan Junhao, Megan Yo, and Quah Ting Wen placed 21st with a time of 3:56.51 — another indicator of Singapore’s team depth and versatility across both men’s and women’s events.
Regional Rivals Closing the Gap
Across the region, rivals are gaining speed—literally.
Vietnam’s Nguyen Huy Hoang has become a regional sensation in distance freestyle, while Malaysia’s Welson Sim and Indonesia’s Azzahra Permatahani continue to challenge Singaporean dominance across multiple events. These athletes are backed by improved facilities and sports science programs modeled after Singapore’s own system.
Thailand, the 2025 host nation, is also expected to make a strong statement. With home-ground advantage and an expanding squad of versatile swimmers, they’ll look to convert the energy of the Thai crowd into podium finishes.
Singapore’s Game Plan for 2025
Heading into the SEA Games 2025, Singapore’s swimming program combines world-class experience, youthful talent, and momentum from a record-shattering season. From Teong Tzen Wei’s Asian record to Mikayla Tan’s remarkable run of junior milestones, the signs point to another strong showing in the pool.
But the rest of Southeast Asia is no longer content to chase — they’re coming to compete. If Singapore hopes to extend its golden legacy, it will need both its veterans and its rising stars firing on all cylinders in Thailand.
The Verdict: Still the Team to Beat
As the countdown to the 2025 SEA Games begins, one thing is certain: Singapore enters as the favorite, but not without challengers. The rest of Southeast Asia has narrowed the gap, ensuring that this year’s competition will be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
If Singapore’s new generation can handle the pressure and adapt to the rising standards of the region, the red-and-white flag will once again fly proudly over the Thai aquatics arena. #SEAGames2025 #RoadToSEAGames