SEA Games 2025: Singapore’s breakout star Julia Yeo, just 14, transforms a nerve-wracking moment into a golden triumph
SINGAPORE – In Bangkok, at the Huamark Aquatic Center, a sudden turn of events left Singaporean swimmer Julia Yeo with only minutes to spare—and a chance to make history. The 14-year-old rose from the stands to swim the backstroke leg in the women’s 4x100m medley relay final after Levenia Sim withdrew due to a shoulder injury during warmups.
Within about two minutes, Julia had slipped into someone else’s swimsuit, grabbed a friend’s parka, and sprinted toward the pool. She then delivered a performance that sealed Singapore’s victory, joining forces with Quah Ting Wen, Quah Jing Wen, and Letitia Sim to clock a Games record of 4:05.79 and defend the title Singapore has held since 2003.
Reflecting on the moment, Julia, a student at Singapore Sports School, said it was her first SEA Games and that, after missing a medal in the 200m backstroke earlier, earning gold felt incredibly meaningful. She added that her aim for the next SEA Games is to win an individual gold and push for more records and personal bests.
The team’s arrival home at Changi Airport on December 16 followed a campaign that yielded 19 golds, eight silvers, and seven bronzes. Julia had entered the competition with low expectations to avoid pressure, a strategy she credits for helping her succeed.
In addition to the relay gold, Julia set a national record in the women’s 200m backstroke with a time of 2:16.51, finishing fourth and surpassing Tao Li’s 2009 mark of 2:17.12. She also achieved a personal best in the 100m back final with a time of 1:04.75.
This first SEA Games experience has given Julia a newfound confidence and the best birthday gift as she turns 15 on December 27.
She remarked: “This competition has definitely made me more confident in myself because I can do things independently, even swimming a 100m back without warming up. I feel mentally prepared and know I trained very hard.”
Another standout during the Games was 23-year-old Mikkel Lee, who claimed four golds, including the 50m and 100m freestyle on the men’s side. The Indiana University swimmer spoke of learning to trust himself after a shaky training session before the trip, crediting his support system for keeping him grounded. His breakthrough moment came in the 100m freestyle with a personal best of 48.65 seconds, signaling a pivotal shift in confidence that propelled him through the meet.
For veteran Ting Wen, who earned three golds, one silver, and one bronze to bring her SEA Games total to 65, returning home to a supportive crowd carried special meaning. At 33, she reflected on the possibility that this edition might be her last, stressing the importance of staying present and savoring time with family and friends instead of always chasing the next goal.
This article was originally published by The Straits Times and is shared here with permission.
