According to the BBC, Pin Xiu is in line for $160,000 before tax for just one of her two gold medals in Rio. The discrepancy between her prize packet and that of Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling has ignited a public outcry, but Pin Xiu is taking it all in her stride saying, “As an athlete, I am not doing this for the money, so I’m not harbouring any hopes that (the prize money) will increase. My only hope is that there is equality shown to all athletes, both para-athletes and able-bodied athletes.”

Lego honoured Pin Xiu and her teammate (fellow Singaporean swimmer) Theresa Goh’s exploits in the pool with mini figures created in their image. The brickmakers posted a photo of the figurines on their Facebook page a few days ago, which has garnered over 4,000 likes.

Pin Xiu made it rain gold in Rio. She nabbed the top spot in the 100m S2 backstroke last week, setting two world records in the process, before getting her second gold in the 50m S2 event. She also set world records in the 50m and 100m S2 backstroke at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming European Open Championships earlier this May.

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She was Singapore’s first Paralympic champion when she triumphed in the 50m back S3 race at the 2008 Beijing Games. She also won silver in the 50m freestyle S3 in China. Her three golds and four medals overall means that Pin Xiu is one of Asia’s most successful Paralympic swimmers.

Pin Xiu has previously described herself as a shy schoolgirl in leg braces who had staples thrown at her because she looked different. Swimming, she explains, gave her an outlet to develop her character while competing all over the globe transformed her into a poised and outgoing woman.

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Following Theresa Goh’s bronze medal achievement in Rio after four Paralympics, Pin Xua posted a photo on her Instagram of the two in a teary embrace. She said of the snap: “The world doesn’t need to see my ugly crying face (yours is really well hidden). But the world needs to know how proud I am of you. You finally did it. You freaking did it. You are now a Paralympic medalist after 17 years of training and perseverance. Nobody knows our journey like us and I am so incredibly proud of you. ❤️ #oneteamsg #rioparalympics #rio2016 #tearsofjoy #bothsobbing PC: Hwee Koon”

A photo posted by Yip Pin Xiu (@yippinxiu) on Sep 11, 2016 at 7:14pm PDT

Because she doesn’t swim with goggles that have powered lenses, Pin Xiu didn’t know she had nabbed gold in the 50m S2 backstroke until after the race. She said: “When I touched the wall, I didn’t know who won, I couldn’t tell when I saw the crowd. My myopia is about 200 plus and I can’t see the scoreboard without my spectacles. It was only when I got to the side (of the pool) that I saw coach’s face and I knew we did it.

She was initially classified at S5 and then dropped to S3 in 2008. Her classification was then lowered to S2, where it stands now. A lower classification number indicates more severe disabilities. According to the International Paralympic Committee, S2 swimmers rely mainly on their arms to swim due to limited functions or coordination problems with their hands, torso or legs.

She has said of competitive swimming and life itself: “I don’t like losing. Maybe you can call it a need for speed. It can be about the stupidest things, like wanting to be the first to press the lift button. I just have a competitive streak in me, and as long as I set my mind on something, I want it.”

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Four years ago, Pin Xiu could grip the backstroke start bar. Now, she has to be anchored by her coach, Mick Massey. Her body, ravaged by her condition, would be sapped by training. She took a cold, hard look at her condition and wondered if she could continue swimming. Ultimately, the pull of competition was too strong and she trained even harder to get to where she is now.