Theresa Goh Rui Si is a former Singaporean Paralympic swimmer and an inspiring advocate for disability rights. Born on February 16, 1987, with spina bifida, she defied the odds to become one of Singapore’s most accomplished athletes. Throughout her career, she broke numerous world records and earned a bronze medal in the SB4 100m breaststroke at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Beyond sports, Theresa is a passionate advocate for inclusivity and accessibility, using her platform to raise awareness for the disabled community.

Early Life and Personal Background

Theresa Goh Rui Si was born on February 16, 1987, in Singapore. She is the eldest of three children in her family, with her father Bernard Goh working as a general manager of an engineering company and her mother Rose as a housewife. Born prematurely at seven months, Theresa’s parents were shocked to discover that she had congenital spina bifida, a condition resulting in an incompletely formed spinal cord. This condition left her without the use of her legs, requiring her to use a wheelchair for mobility. Despite her physical challenges, Theresa embraced her condition and grew into a confident athlete, stating: “I’m fine with it. I [wouldn’t] be swimming or where I am today if I weren’t disabled.”

Goh is also partially hearing-impaired due to an undeveloped left ear. She identifies as queer and is a strong advocate for both disability rights and LGBTQ+ issues.

Education

Theresa attended Tampines North Primary School and Dunman Secondary School. She later pursued a Diploma in Moving Images at Temasek Polytechnic in 2005 and continued her studies in applied psychology at Raffles College, a private educational institute in Singapore, by 2008.

Personal Information

• Full Name: Theresa Goh Rui Si
• Date of Birth: February 16, 1987
• Place of Birth: Singapore
• Nationality: Singaporean
• Profession: Retired Paralympic Swimmer, Advocate
• Disability: Spina Bifida
• Classification: SB4 (Breaststroke Classification)
• Height: 1.53 meters (5 ft 0 in)
• Hobbies: Reading, Social Activism, Travelling
• Languages: English, Mandarin

Swimming Beginnings

Theresa’s swimming journey began when she was introduced to the sport at the age of five as part of physical therapy. She quickly developed a love for the water, and by the age of 12, she started competing in swimming events.

Her early competitive career kicked off at the 1999 National Swimming Championships, where she won two gold medals. From there, her talent continued to shine, marking the start of her long and successful swimming career.

Rise to Success in International Competitions

Theresa Goh became a dominant figure in the ASEAN ParaGames, starting with the inaugural Games in 2001 in Kuala Lumpur, where she won six gold and two silver medals. She also set a world record in the 50m breaststroke, establishing herself as a top-tier Paralympic athlete. Over the years, she continued her winning streak in regional and international competitions, including:

• Far East and South Pacific Games Federation for the Disabled (FESPIC) Games in 2002 (now known as the Asian Para Games), where she earned three gold and one silver medal.
• Commonwealth Games in 2002, where she set records in the 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle.
• International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF) World Wheelchair Games in 2003, where she won multiple gold medals.

Paralympic Journey

Theresa made her Paralympic debut at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, finishing fifth in the 100m freestyle. Although she didn’t medal, this performance marked her arrival on the global stage, and she vowed to keep improving.

Her performance reached new heights at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, where she competed in the 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle and 100m breaststroke events. Although she narrowly missed out on a medal in the 200m freestyle, finishing fourth, she broke personal and national records. In the 100m breaststroke, she placed fourth again but remained determined to push for a medal in future Games.

Record-Breaking Achievements

Throughout her career, Theresa set numerous world and regional records. Some of her most notable achievements include:

• World Record in SB4 50m breaststroke (52.62 seconds) at the 2008 ASEAN ParaGames in Thailand.
• Multiple gold medals and personal bests at the Danish Open in 2007.
• Several gold medals and record-breaking swims at the IWAS World Wheelchair and Amputee Games in 2007.

As of August 2008, she held the world record in both the 50m and 200m breaststroke and was ranked second in the world for the 100m breaststroke.

2016 Rio Paralympics: Achieving Her Dream

Theresa’s long-awaited Paralympic medal came in 2016 at the Rio Paralympics. Competing in the SB4 100m breaststroke, she won a bronze medal with a time of 1 minute and 55.55 seconds. In the heats, she also set a new Asian record of 1 minute and 54.50 seconds. This achievement marked a significant milestone in her career, as it was her first Paralympic medal after years of competing at the highest level.

Retirement from Competitive Swimming

After a career filled with triumphs, world records, and an Olympic medal, Theresa announced her retirement from competitive swimming in 2019. Her contribution to Singapore’s sports history remains monumental, as she helped pave the way for more recognition and support for para-athletes in the country.

Awards and Recognition

Theresa Goh has received numerous awards throughout her career, including:

• Sportsgirl Merit Award (2001)
• Sportsgirl of the Year (2002 and 2003)
• Sportswoman of the Year (2004-2006)
• Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat) (2008)
• Public Service Star (Bintang Bakti Masyarakat) (2016)

Advocacy and Personal Life

Outside of swimming, Theresa Goh has become a prominent advocate for both disability rights and LGBTQ+ issues. As a queer individual, she has been vocal about the challenges she has faced and the importance of representation in both the disability and LGBTQ+ communities. She continues to inspire many through her activism and public speaking, advocating for greater inclusion and diversity in society.

Legacy

Theresa Goh remains one of Singapore’s most successful Paralympic athletes. Her journey from a young swimmer with spina bifida to an international record-breaker and Paralympic medalist has inspired generations of athletes. Her legacy as a trailblazer in both sports and advocacy continues to influence para-sports in Singapore and beyond.