Asian Games 2026: Singapore swimming star Ching Hwee Gan hails YOG expertise that kick-started a record-breaking profession – Unique

Ching Hwee Gan: “YOG has a special place in my heart”

“I was 15 years old, wide-eyed, and experiencing the world with all the world-class swimmers,” stated Gan with a smile, describing the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games to Olympics.com.

“It was a really big competition, one of my first major internationals. It holds many fond memories and a special place in my heart.”

While she completed exterior the medals in opposition to athletes years older, she started her career-long rewrite of the Singapore swimming file books. In Argentina, she shattered the 400m Under-17 file beforehand held by Lynette Lim.

Seven years later, in 2025, Gan would go on to interrupt Lim’s senior file over the gap. By then, it had stood for 16 years.

“I pitched myself against all these higher-level athletes; a lot of them were 18,” she remembers. “I used to be very daunted; they have been a lot taller, larger than me. It felt nearly like an unattainable activity, so to be within the high six was a giant achievement for me.

“It boosted my confidence going forward, which helped me get through other meets. That experience was a very big milestone for me in my journey.”

A naturally reserved character, swimming has reworked Gan’s life.

Even when she started the game at age 4, it was initially an training in water security.

When she started competing in nationwide meets at eight years previous, the love of swimming had sparked.

“Ultimately I’m still the same person,” Gan stated. “But with a really completely different mindset.

“I used to be a big overthinker, so I would think about every worse possible thing that would go wrong in a race. But now I’ve matured so much from those experiences. I’ve had international meets and learned how to cope with the pressure, bright lights, the cheering, and intense competition.”

Out of the pool, the Youth Olympic Games retain vivid recollections, introduced again by the point out of this yr’s version of Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

“There was always something going on,” Gan recalled.

“It was like a big carnival. There were events on in the square, people painting on the floor, performing, life-sized chess in between competitions. It was a memorable time.”