Nicolette Teo was only 13 when she swam her way to an individual gold medal at the Brunei SEA Games.

Two years later at the 21 st SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur she returned for more medals, winning an individual gold and silver medals in the 100m and 200m breaststroke events respectively and both in personal best times. She then helped the relay teams to win another three silver medals.