Democracy Of Talents

Photo by Nicky Loh/Getty Images for SSC
By Chua Chong Jin

There is a “revolution” going on in the pool as one-man (or woman) rule gives way to what one might term the “Democracy of Talents”. Yes, the days when Singapore depended on just a Swim Queen or Sprint King to deliver gold are over as a new generation of youngsters step all - all equally talented, all equally able to steal the show.

New Faces

Yes, at the SEA Games swimming competition in Palembang, Asian Games champion Tao Li still rules with individual wins in the women’s 100m fly and 200m fly so far. But the Big Story is the emergence of several new faces at the same time. On Day 1, the Fly Queen shared the limelight with Joseph Schooling who won the men’s 50m fly and Quah Zheng Wen who clinched the men’s 400m IM. She also found herself “among equals” as she partnered Samantha Yeo, Amanda Lim and Shana Lim to the gold in the women’s 4x100m medley relay.

Convincing Examples

Day 2 gave more convincing examples of the “democracy of talents”. Tao Li was expected to rule the waves and win gold in the women’s 200m back. She didn’t. Instead, it was Danny Yeo who stepped up to clinch gold in the men’s 200m free. And Tao Li tasted gold again – not as an individual but as a team member. Playing her part “among equals”, she combined well with Amanda Lim,  Koh Hui Yu and  Mylene Ong to win the women’s 4x200m free relay.

Moment Of Glory

This democracy “theory” played out even more clearly on Day 3. Sure, Tao Li the swim star had her moment of glory as she took the women’s 200m fly. But she certainly wasn’t alone. She had other Singapore winners for company. Precocious debutant Arren Quek created a big splash to take the men’s 50m free title while the young but seasoned Shana Lim finally earned her first individual SEA Games gold with her triumph in the women’s 50m back. Arren enjoyed yet another triumph when he teamed up with Clement Lim, Danny Yeo and Russell Ong for gold in the men’s 4x100m free relay.