Singapore’s 14yo Julia Yeo seals SEA Games relay gold after last-minute call-up with borrowed gear

Singapore’s women’s swimming team captured gold in the 4x100m medley relay final at the Southeast Asian Games 2025 in Thailand on 15 December, overcoming late drama to defeat the Philippines in one of the meet’s most anticipated events.

The race carried added significance as it marked a breakthrough moment for 14-year-old Julia Yeo Shu Ning, who was drafted into the line-up less than an hour before the final and went on to swim a personal best.

Singapore finished the race in 4 minutes 5.79 seconds, reclaiming gold in a discipline traditionally regarded as one of the nation’s strongest relay events at the regional level.

The team comprised Quah Ting Wen, Quah Jing Wen, Letitia Sim and Yeo, who was entrusted with the opening backstroke leg despite her age and lack of preparation.

Drama unfolded around 30 minutes before the race when Levenia Sim, originally slated to swim the first leg, injured her shoulder during warm-up and was forced to withdraw.

Coaches then scrambled to activate Yeo, who had been sitting in the stands cheering for her teammates and was not expecting to compete that evening.

With no racing equipment on hand, Yeo had to borrow her swimsuit, goggles and cap moments before stepping onto the pool deck for the final.

Despite the circumstances, Yeo clocked a personal best time of 1 minute 4.79 seconds in the backstroke leg, giving Singapore a competitive platform at the start of the race.

Speaking after the event, Yeo, who turns 15 on 27 December, said the sudden call-up left her stunned and anxious, but she focused on doing her best for the team.

“My coach asked if I had my stuff, and I didn’t bring anything. My heart literally dropped,” she said.

“I was so shocked and bogged down with panic. I don’t know how I pulled it off. I just swam the best I could.”

Yeo added that the race carried special meaning as it was her first SEA Games appearance in a medley relay and her first gold medal at the regional meet.

“This was really special because this is my first medley relay with my seniors and my first SEA Games gold,” she said.

“I didn’t even warm up at all. It was a surprise, and I want to thank my wonderful teammates who encouraged me a lot.”

Veteran swimmer Quah Ting Wen praised the teenager’s composure and performance under pressure, noting that Yeo had barely been in the water in the days leading up to the race.

“She was temporarily assigned to race and hadn’t even touched the water for the past two days,” Quah said.

“She wore someone else’s swimsuit, used someone else’s goggles and even wore my sister’s swim cap. I think she performed extremely well.”

Singapore swimming national head coach Gary Tan commended the squad’s resilience, describing the relay gold as emblematic of the team’s character throughout the Games.

According to Tan, the ability to stay calm and trust in preparation, even when plans changed abruptly, proved decisive in securing the title.

The gold medal capped an outstanding SEA Games campaign for Singapore’s swimmers, who finished the competition with 19 gold medals, eight silvers and seven bronzes.

The gold haul was more than triple that of the next closest nation, Vietnam, which concluded the swimming programme with six gold medals.