Since its inception in 1978, the Sportsboy/ Sportsgirl of the year award has been the aspiration of many a talented young Singaporean sporting talent - however, many have strived but few have actually won the coveted accolade.

Swimmer Chan Mui Pin can count herself as one of those deserved few who have succeeded, and it was a just reward for her long and dedicated involvement in the sport of swimming.

From the age of 12 to 16 Mui Pin was representing Singapore at the 1978 and 1982 Asian Games held in Thailand and then India respectively. At the latter games, Mui Pin teamed up with her relay compatriots (Lai May May, Mavis Ee and Gillian Chee) to win bronze in the 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay event.

At the 1983 SEA Games (Singapore) one year later, Mui Pin performed creditably - winning for herself two gold medals, a silver and bronze each. She also helped break two women national relay records.

The dedicated aquanaut knows the meaning of self-sacrifice and commitment to the sport of swimming - training for up to four hours on weekdays and two hours on Saturdays, with weights training sessions done thrice a week.

In addition to winning the Sportsgirl of the Year Award for 1983, the former Methodist Girl's School and Hwa Chong Junior College student was also a deserved winner of the Esso Sports Scholar Award for the years 1982 and 1983.