As the world turns its eyes to Singapore for the Toyota World Para Swimming Championships 2025, a palpable sense of anticipation ripples through the pool deck.
For many of the athletes competing, it’s a stage to showcase their resilience, redefine boundaries, and inspire a new generation of sporting excellence. It is also a homecoming of sorts to some, a chance to perform on the world stage in a region where their stories resonate deeply.
As Singapore prepares to host the prestigious Toyota World Para Swimming Championships 2025, anticipation is running high among athletes from around the world. The competition will mark a historic moment for the Lion City, not only as host but as a rallying point for determination, excellence, and national pride.
We were provided the opportunity to speak to some of these prestigious athletes during a fireside chat session, and managed to gain valuable insights as to how they are feeling before their races.
Antonios Tsapatakis: Becoming His Own Superhero
For Greek swimmer Antonios Tsapatakis, this championship is less about medals and more about meaning. He frames elite sport as a rite of passage through “bottleneck” moments. Finishing fourth at both London 2012 and Rio 2016, he refused to yield; the setbacks hardened his resolve as he rose to win silver and bronze thereafter.
Now, with sights set firmly on the next summit, he describes the pool as his life’s constant and a daily discipline powered by bravery and purpose. “Dreams don’t have age,” he says; you “put the switch on and start doing.” Even fear, he adds, can be harnessed, energy to quicken the heart before the starter’s signal.
When the moderator asked what superpower he would choose for the pool, his answer was profound: “I don’t need superpowers. I believe I’m in my superhero era.”
Embodying the ethos of self-belief, Tsapatakis sees himself as a symbol of perseverance, proudly declaring, “I am the superhero of myself. I don’t care about anyone’s opinion.” His personal mission extends beyond the pool; he passionately advocates for greater accessibility, recalling his recent conversation with Toyota Greece about developing mobility solutions for a UNESCO-protected canyon trail back home.
For Tsapatakis, true mobility for all means creating paths where none exist, so that everyone can move freely, even through the most challenging terrains.
Naomi Maike Schwarz: A Dolphin’s Kick, A Champion’s Drive
Naomi Maike Schnittger’s anticipation is equally resolute, shaped by the hard seasons between the triumphs. A Toyota-supported athlete since 2018, she speaks candidly about stepping back when mental health demanded it, and the rare value of a partner who stood by her as a person first, athlete second.
That steady backing, she says, helped her return with clarity: keep faith, take your breaks when needed, and keep fighting for what you love. For Schnittger, competing in Singapore is the latest expression of that credo: joy first, then performance, because when you love what you do, it is worth the fight.
When asked about her desired superpower, she responded with humility and wit. “My underwater kicking is horrible,” she admitted with a laugh. “If I could choose one, I’d want to kick like a dolphin or a seal!”
Despite her self-deprecating humour, Naomi’s dedication is undeniable. Even in competition, she brings lightness to the atmosphere, eager to explore and embrace everything this global championship and host city have to offer.
Jessica Long: The Depths of Determination
Jessica Long draws a straight line from resilience to purpose. Having competed since the age of 12 and making her first Paralympic team that same year, she says that on the toughest days she anchors herself in the people who believe in her and in the “why” that began her career.
Toyota’s decision in 2018 to back her, she adds, was pivotal in carrying her through to Tokyo, her fifth Paralympics. When doubts surface, she returns to the memory of the little Russian girl who found a swim team, a place she belonged, and the simple love of showing up to be her best. That is the mindset she brings to Singapore: belief, gratitude, and joy for the craft.
With the aforementioned superhero question, she echoed a sentiment that many athletes share, yearning for more time beneath the surface. “I would love to breathe underwater,” she said. “To just keep my head down and swim.”
Long’s unwavering dedication, matched with her ever-curious nature, makes her not only a formidable competitor but a role model for aspiring athletes worldwide.
Toh Wei Soong: Our Home-Grown Pride
Representing Singapore, Toh Wei Soong has long been a figure of inspiration. The two-time Paralympian and Commonwealth Games medallist is more than ready to compete on home soil. “It’s a tremendous honour to swim in front of a home crowd,” he shared. “I hope this competition showcases what Singapore can offer as a top-tier host, and more importantly, inspires the next generation of athletes in our country.”
Toh’s journey from a young swimmer overcoming transverse myelitis to becoming one of Singapore’s most recognised para-athletes reflects the spirit of the Championships: overcoming challenges, breaking barriers, and redefining what is possible. “Competing here is about showing others that excellence and ability come in many forms.”
“To be able to represent Singapore in such a prestigious event, in front of a home crowd, is incredibly motivating. The support from our community is what drives us forward,” he added.
His answer to the superhero question was also unique. Instead of requesting for some kind of physical ability, Wei Soong instead chose immortality. “just so that I can keep going at the sport and I can keep making mistakes and learning from them and improving them. I think the great fun of life is being able to make mistakes and being able to move on and be able to learn,” he added.
As to what age he prefers, 27 was his golden number.
A Celebration of Culture and Connection
It’s clear that the Toyota World Para Swimming Championships 2025 is a cultural exchange, a celebration of mobility and inclusion, and above all, a beacon to the human spirit. As these athletes dive into their races, they carry with them not just hopes of victory but the power to inspire millions around the world.
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