For years, Toh Wei Soong raced for medals in the public eye while honing his artistry in private. Now he reflects on how the challenges of being an elite athlete have shaped his identity and creative pursuits. For most of his life, Toh Wei Soong has been defined by the water. The 27-year-old Paralympic swimmer has made waves in pools all over the world, medalling – often multiple times – at major international sports events such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Para Games and ASEAN Para Games .