At just 15, the Selangor swimmer sets her sights on making waves for Malaysia — and she’s just getting started.
The water doesn’t ask where you’re from. It doesn’t care how old you are, or where you train, or whether your family roots stretch across borders. Once the buzzer sounds, it’s just you, the pool, and everything you’ve poured into the lane.
For Shannon Tan Yan Qing, that lane starts in Shanghai, winds through Bukit Jalil National Aquatics Centre, and — if all goes to plan — leads to the SEA Games, where the 15-year-old has just earned her first qualifying time.
But let’s rewind.
As she touched the wall at the end of her 400m individual medley on Day 2 of Malaysia Open, she didn’t immediately realise what she had done. Her goggles were still fogged, her arms burning, heart racing. Then came the silver medal placement — and more importantly, the time: 5:11.46. Just under the SEA Games B qualifying mark of 5:13.05.
“I was a little surprised,” she admitted. “But happiness came over me. I knew I had worked really hard leading up to this, and to touch the wall and see silver was such a special feeling. It reminded me that all the hard work was worth it.”
That moment may have felt like a finish line — but it was really just the start of something much bigger.
A Malaysian Heart in a Shanghai Home
Born in Beijing, raised in Shanghai, but with roots firmly planted in Malaysia, Shannon’s life has always moved across lanes — culturally, geographically, and now, competitively.
Her parents, Lydia and William, have lived in China for over two decades. “But we’re still proud Malaysians,” says Lydia. “We bring her home to compete whenever we can.”
That’s why she dons Selangor’s colours in local meets — a nod to her cousins and family ties — and why, despite not being in the national back-up squad, she’s now on the radar for the SEA Games team.
Swimming Was Just Play—Until It Wasn’t
Shannon started swimming at six, not with a stopwatch, but with a smile. “It was purely for fun,” she laughed. “But even then, the water feels natural to me. I had this strong feeling of freedom every time I swam,” she added.
That freedom lingered – but slowly turned into focus.
“That feeling stayed with me as I grew older, but it started to change into something more serious when I was about 11 or 12. I began training more regularly, waking up early, dealing with sore muscles and gradually it grew from there.”
The turning point came at age 13 when she was selected as Selangor state swimmer, and qualified to represent Malaysia at the SEA Age Group Swim Championship in Jakarta. Since then, she has been returning to Malaysia more often for competitions. Not only can she compete, it also gave her the opportunity to bond with her family members and relatives here at home.
She now trains with her international school team in Shanghai, with extra sessions tailored by her coaches to balance her academics and training load.
“It’s definitely a juggle,” she says. “But my school and coaches are very supportive. I try to stay organized with both studies and swimming. And outside the pool, I still get to be a normal teenager — baking, hanging out with friends, or just listening to music.”
Her Race. Her Rhythm. Her Rules.
The 400m Individual Medley is widely considered the ultimate test in swimming — a punishing mix of four strokes, mental chess, and physical grit.
“Mentally, I just told myself to swim stroke by stroke, lap by lap,” she explained. “It’s about not going out too fast. It gets really tiring at the end, especially in breaststroke — that’s still my weakest stroke. But we’ve been working hard on it.”
And what’s her secret weapon?
“Definitely butterfly. I feel most confident and natural with it.”
She doesn’t try to control the whole race. Just her part of it. That strength set the tone early in her Malaysia Open final. “I reminded myself to stay calm, long, and in control. I didn’t want to panic or go out too fast. When someone pulled ahead, I kept my rhythm. That helped me swim my own race.”
By the time she reached the backstroke, she knew she had a chance. “I felt strong. I saw myself with the front pack, and that gave me confidence. I told myself to be patient and keep my technique together. The breaststroke still needs work — it’s my weakest. But I’ve had extra technique sessions with my coach, and it’s slowly getting better.”
In the Deep End with the Best – Meeting Marchand and Racing with Regan Smith
Last October, just few months after the end of Paris Olympics 2024, Shannon had her first taste of elite-level action at the World Cup leg in Shanghai, where she raced alongside global superstars like Regan Smith and met Olympic champion Léon Marchand.
“Meeting Leon was incredible,” she recalled. “He was super-fast in the water, but so humble. He told me to enjoy every race and stay patient in the journey. That stuck with me because sometimes it is easy to get caught of wanting for results. He reminded me trusting the work you put in.”
Racing against the experienced, more seasoned athletes might seem intimidating — but she shrugs it off.
“Once I’m in the water, age doesn’t matter,” she said. “It’s just about giving my best. I try not to think too much about who’s next to me. I focus on my own lane.”
She has a few rituals, though. “Before every race, I like to go silent, close my eyes, and visualize how I want to swim. And yes—I always wear the same goggles. My lucky charm.”
SEA Games, Bigger Stage and Beyond
With her breakout swim at Malaysia Open, Shannon now stands at the threshold of a dream debut at the Southeast Asian Games. It’s an opportunity she’s not taking lightly.
“Eventhough I was born in Beijing and have lived in China as long as I can remember, swimming made me feel like a true Malaysian. I’d love to join the Malaysian team if I’m picked,” she said. “Now, it’s not just a hobby- it’s part of who I am. There’s still so much room for me to grow, and I’m working to break more personal bests and qualify for more international meets.”
Her idol? “Katie Ledecky. My coach always tells me to study her technique. She’s such a strong, composed swimmer.”
Still Just 15 — But Making Waves
Shannon Tan may live thousands of kilometers from Kuala Lumpur, but her heart beats proudly for Malaysia every time she dives into the pool.
For her, swimming is far more than just a sport now — it’s a sanctuary.
There’s a stillness that descends the moment she dives in. The noise of the world fades. No coaches shouting, no teammates calling, no distractions. Just the steady rhythm of breath, the pounding of her heartbeat, and the sound of water rushing past. In that silence, she finds focus. In that solitude, she finds strength.
Unlike many sports where you can pause, catch your breath, or lean on a teammate, swimming demands constant forward motion. There’s no stopping in the middle of the pool. It’s a test of will as much as skill — a space where fatigue becomes your fiercest opponent and trust in your training becomes your greatest ally.
“It teaches you patience,” she reflects. “Perseverance. And the power of doing hard things — at your own pace, with your own belief.”
She’s calm under pressure, grounded in gratitude, and fiercely determined to keep improving — a rare combination in someone so young. Whether or not she dons the national colours at the SEA Games this year, her journey is already an inspiring story of commitment, cross-cultural identity, and the belief that with enough heart, borders mean nothing.
The water is not just where she competes — it’s where she belongs. It’s where she feels most alive. Most free. Most herself. And that’s why, no matter where life takes her, swimming will always hold a special place in her story.
And if there’s one thing certain, it’s this: Shannon isn’t just dipping her toes into elite swimming.
She’s diving right in.