Making a Splash Together: The Cognita Swimming League 2025
Competitive sports have a remarkable ability to unite people. They challenge students to push beyond their limits, foster school spirit, and build lasting friendships. This spirit was on full display at the 2025 Cognita Swimming League, hosted by Stamford American International School (SAIS) at its Woodleigh campus. Over two action-packed days, students from across Asia came together in a celebration of athletic excellence and international camaraderie. With cheers echoing across the pool deck, the event embodied the very best of high school sportsmanship.
Summary of Contents:
Making a Splash Together: The Cognita Swimming League 2025
About the Cognita Swimming League
Cognita Swimming League 2025 Event Highlights
Stamford American Student Achievements
- Jun Heng Yu
- Sofia Rocco Gomez
- Zoe Navarro
Lessons Beyond the Pool: Five Values Gained from the Cognita Swimming League
- Discipline and Dedication
- Confidence Through Competition
- Teamwork and School Spirit
- Resilience and Sportsmanship
- Global Connections and Cultural Exchange
Looking Forward to Future Competitions
Be Part of a School Community That Inspires Excellence at Stamford American
About the Cognita Swimming League
Stamford American International School in Singapore is part of Cognita, a global community of more than 100 schools across 21 countries. United by a shared commitment to inspiring and enriching students’ lives, the Cognita network delivers world-class education and experiences that prepare young people for life beyond the classroom. International competitions like the Cognita Swimming League are a direct reflection of this mission, offering students the opportunity to test their skills while forging friendships that transcend borders.
More than just a sports competition, the Cognita Swimming League is a celebration of holistic education, resilience, and community. The event brought together students from Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Hong Kong—showcasing not only the speed and skill of individual swimmers, but also the strength of collective achievement.
This year’s meet was held on September 12 and 13, 2025, at Stamford American’s very own Woodleigh campus. At the center of the action was the Lincoln Pool — home to the Lion Swim Academy — an 8-lane, 25-meter facility equipped with full electronic timing. As part of Stamford American’s world-class athletic complex, the pool provides an optimal environment for both training and competition. The event concluded on a high note with the closing awards ceremony at the Reagan Theater, where teams and families came together to celebrate two days of thrilling, unforgettable races.
Participating schools included:
- Stamford American International School (Singapore)
- Australian International School (Singapore)
- Brighton College (Singapore)
- International School Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
- Stamford American School (Hong Kong)
- St. Andrews International School (Bangkok)
Cognita Swimming League 2025 Event Highlights
Spanning three action-packed sessions, the competition delivered excitement from start to finish.
Day 1 (Friday, September 12) began with an energetic evening session featuring mixed relays and individual events such as the 200m Butterfly and 100m Individual Medley (IM). The first medal ceremonies added a celebratory buzz that set the tone for the rest of the meet.
Day 2 (Saturday, September 13) saw swimmers return for morning and afternoon sessions packed with freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke, and medley races for both boys and girls. The highlight of the day—and a crowd favorite—was the 8 x 50m Cognita Cup relay, which drew cheers from all corners of the stands.
The meet concluded with a closing ceremony at the Reagan Theater, where the community gathered to recognize outstanding performances. Awards were presented for Best Male and Female Swimmer, Best Visiting Team, and the prestigious Cognita Cup, capping off a memorable celebration of talent and teamwork.
Stamford American Student Achievements
Earlier this year, Stamford American made history as the first school from Singapore to compete at the World School Games (WSG) 2025 Swim Championships — a proud milestone that highlighted the strength of its aquatic program on the global stage. Riding that wave of momentum, Stamford American’s swimmers delivered another impressive showing at the Cognita Swimming League 2025, with standout performances across multiple events. Here are just a few of the students who made their mark:
- Jun Heng Yu (Boys 10 & Under) – Jun Heng Yu delivered an outstanding performance in the Boys 10 & Under category, capturing first place in seven events: 200m Butterfly, 100m Breaststroke, 200m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly, and 200m Individual Medley. His dominance across multiple strokes and distances showcased exceptional versatility, endurance, and competitive spirit.
- Sofia Rocco Gomez (Girls 11–12) – Sofia Rocco Gomez delivered a remarkable series of performances in the Girls 11–12 division, securing first place in six events: 100m Individual Medley, 200m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, and 50m Backstroke. She also earned a strong second-place finish in the 50m Butterfly, underscoring her consistency, versatility, and technical skill across multiple strokes.
- Zoe Navarro (Girls 11–12) – Also competing in the Girls 11–12 division, Zoe Navarro impressed with a powerful blend of endurance and speed. She claimed first place in the 400m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke, 100m Butterfly, and 200m Individual Medley. Zoe also earned second-place finishes in the 100m Individual Medley, 200m Freestyle, and 50m Breaststroke, along with a third place in the 50m Butterfly. Her well-rounded performance demonstrated strength across both sprint and middle-distance events.
Together, Jun Heng Yu, Sofia Rocco Gomez, and Zoe Navarro embodied Stamford American’s core values of perseverance, sportsmanship, and pride — bringing distinction not only to their team, but to the entire school community.
Lessons Beyond the Pool: Five Values Gained from the Cognita Swimming League
The Cognita Swimming League was about much more than medals and records — it was an experience that left a lasting impact on both the athletes and the communities they represent. Beyond the competition, the event highlighted values that define great sportsmanship and meaningful education. Here are some of the key qualities that stood out throughout the meet:
- Discipline and Dedication – Months of rigorous preparation went into the meet, with swimmers dedicating countless hours to refining their strokes and building stamina. This commitment fostered habits of perseverance and time management—qualities that benefit students both in and beyond the pool.
- Confidence through Competition – Competing against peers from across Asia gave athletes the opportunity to test their skills on a larger stage. For many, stepping up to the starting block was not only a challenge but a valuable lesson in overcoming nerves and building confidence—a life skill that reaches far beyond the world of sports.
- Teamwork and School Spirit – While each swimmer competed individually, the energy on deck was fueled by the collective support of teammates, coaches, and families. Cheering from the sidelines and celebrating victories together reinforced the power of community and the importance of collaboration.
- Resilience and Sportsmanship – Not every race ended in gold, and that was part of the lesson. Students from different schools learned to handle setbacks with grace, bounce back stronger, and celebrate the successes of others — hallmarks of true sportsmanship.
Global Connections and Cultural Exchange – As members of the Cognita network, students from Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Thailand came together under a shared banner. Throughout the event, participants shared meals and forged friendships, embodying the global spirit of the competition and Cognita’s vision of preparing students for an interconnected world.
Looking Forward to Future Competitions
The success of the Cognita Swimming League 2025 sets the stage for future competitions and ongoing growth in athletics across the network. For Stamford American swimmers, the event marked both a significant milestone and a source of motivation to aim even higher in their training and aspirations.
Events like this remind students that while the stopwatch measures speed, true achievement is found in dedication, resilience, and the friendships forged along the way. Stamford American looks forward to seeing its student-athletes dive into future competitions with the same passion and determination.
Be Part of a School Community That Inspires Excellence at Stamford American
Stamford American International School in Singapore proudly celebrates its swimmers’ achievements the Cognita Swimming League 2025 and the spirit of teamwork and excellence the event embodies. To learn more about how Stamford American supports students in excelling academically, athletically, and beyond, schedule a visit today and discover how your child can thrive in a global, nurturing and high-achieving environment.
