Mark Chay aged 19, is determined to stamp his mark in Singapore swimming.

At the 21st SEA Games at Kuala Lumpur in 2001, he became the first male swimmer to win an individual gold medal in years when he clinched the pole position in the 200m freestyle event. He went on to help his teammates win two golds and a silver medal in the three relay events, the 4X100m Freestyle, 4X200m Freestyle and the 4X100m Medley Relay, all in national record times and the first two relay events in new Games record marks as well.

For his outstanding performance and exemplary sportsmanship, Mark Chay is awarded the Sportsman of the Year 2001.