The Heart of an Athlete

If you seek tales of heartbreak, skip the love stories. Just ask any athlete about missed opportunities, injuries, and the crushing weight of defeat. For Chantal Liew, a determined open-water swimmer from Singapore, that heartbreak is encapsulated in a mere 1.7 seconds.

A Narrow Miss at the Olympics

Chantal’s journey took a heartbreaking turn in late 2023. After a promising run, illness struck her in Portugal. Battling severe gastroenteritis left her weak, and by the time of the Olympic qualifier in Doha in 2024, she felt defeated, waking with a sore throat and an understanding that her Olympic dreams were slipping away.

Yet, when the race began, she swam with unprecedented vigor, but as exhaustion set in, she fought to keep her place against the fierce competition of Chinese swimmer Xin Xin. After an exhausting 10 kilometers, the results spoke for themselves: Xin clocked in at 2:04:21.10, while Liew finished just behind at 2:04:22.80. A mere half-stroke away from the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Hitting Rock Bottom

As the opening ceremony of the Paris Games unfolded, Chantal found herself in tears, watching from her friend’s house in Australia. The pain of defeat cut deep, yet it also sparked something new within her.

A New Chapter in Singapore

Fast forward to 2025, the World Championships are coming to Singapore, and Liew has channeled her heartbreak into resilience. In a grueling sport where sadness has no dwelling, she’s focused on training, mastering her craft amidst the challenges of open waters, choppy seas, and the physical and mental toll it takes.

The Art of Open Water Swimming

In her sport, the stakes are high. Mid-race hydration involves clever tactics like using a modified fishing rod to grab drinks while navigating through aggressive tides and marine life. The physical demands are relentless, and the mental game is equally fierce, marked by critical decisions that can alter the race's outcome.

Still, for Liew, it’s not just about the competition. It’s about the profound connection she has with her sport. "We’re all a little unhinged," she jokes, reflecting the deep passion and love that drives her forward, even through the pain. She recalls training with fellow competitor Chelsea Gubecka, pushing the boundaries of their limits with every grueling session.

Turning Pain into Power

Chantal's spirit is reminiscent of the heart of true athletes—people who acknowledge their setbacks, learn from them, and transform their pain into motivation. Her coach, Eugene Chia, frequently invokes that stinging memory of 1.7 seconds as fuel during training. "1.7 seconds, go get it!" he urges, igniting her determination to never experience that heartbreak again.

A Journey of Resilience

Now, as Liew and her team prepare for races spanning 3km, 5km, and 10km, it’s clear that they know the distances they must conquer, but the journey they’ve traveled is immeasurable. Chantal Liew is not just a swimmer; she embodies the spirit of resilience and determination, proving that from heartbreak can emerge the most potent inspiration.