Yip Pin Xiu is a five-time Paralympic swimming gold medallist, and most notably the winner of Singapore’s first Paralympic gold medal at the Beijing Games in 2008. Her efforts were recognised by the Singapore Government when she was conferred the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Meritorious Service Medal) at the National Day Awards ceremony in 2008.

Yip bagged two gold medals at the Tokyo Paralympics in the S2 50m backstroke and S2 100m backstroke events, retaining the titles she had also clinched five years prior at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. She also holds the world records for both events, which she set in 2016: a timing of 1:00.33 for the 50m event, and 2:07.09 for the 100m event.

The backstroke specialist has muscular dystrophy, which has not hindered her quest to go for glory in her favoured event. Yip also contributes to The Purple Parade’s working committee, the World Para Swimming High Support Needs Group, the Singapore Disability Sports Council executive committee, the Safe Sport task force and the National Youth Council. She also served as a Member of Parliament from 2018 to 2020, addressing issues such as sports and inclusion, workplace harassment and sexual violence on campus.