Singaporean swimmer Toh Wei Soong hopes for a medal in his second Paralympic bid

The 2024 Paris Games offer Singaporean para-athlete Toh Wei Soong a second chance.

After narrowly missing out on the podium at the 2020 Tokyo Games, Toh is hoping to medal when he competes in the Paralympic Games this summer.

Diagnosed with transverse myelitis at a young age, the inflammation in Toh's spinal cord affected his lower nervous system and restricted the use of his legs. Toh started swimming regularly for physiotherapy, but it quickly became much more than that.

"Despite my condition, I realized that not only did I enjoy swimming, but I was good at it," he told CNBC Make It. "It was a source of pride and identity, especially during my teenage years when I represented my school in national competitions."

As Toh dedicated himself to the sport, he set his sights on the international para stage.

But pursuing those dreams meant Toh spent up to 24 hours a week in rigorous training, which often meant skipping social outings or holidays.

"Water is not a natural environment for us … it's something we have to learn how to do and naturally the technique doesn't come to us," he said. "To maintain that technique takes a lot of effort."

Toh said one of the biggest challenges was juggling his international baccalaureate studies while trying to qualify for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

"When I didn't meet the standard [to qualify for the Paralympics], I felt very, very burnt out, very jaded with putting so much effort and seeing both catch fire," he said.

But Toh acknowledged these experiences taught him how to live with disappointment and helped him grow as a person.

"I think it's commonly said that you have to push past those low moments. You have to not give up to be able to find your success," he said.

Toh also called