By Ajitpal Singh
DANIEL Bego received an early boost ahead of next month's Myanmar Sea Games by finishing strongly in the ongoing FINA Swimming World Cup short-course meet in Singapore.
Bego, who was the star performer for Malaysia when he bagged five gold medals in the 2009 Laos Sea Games, managed to qualify for the men's 400m freestyle final en route to finishing sixth in 3:50.87. World 50m record holder Robert Hurley of Australia won the gold in 3:38.68.
Bego was five seconds slower in the heats but sneaked into the final by narrowly beating compatriot Vernon Lee (3:55.84).
The Sarawak swimmer had to lay off the sport for more than a year after undergoing surgery on both his shoulders in 2011. He missed the 2011 Sea Games in Indonesia and also failed to qualify for last year's London Olympics.
Bego had to go for a third surgery to correct a long-standing bone spur problem in his right shoulder and only returned to competition in February.
Bego, however, has been showing signs of returning to his best in several meets this year. He bagged his first title in the 100m butterfly at the Malaysian Open in May.
He then continued his momentum at the World University Games, posting 50.86 in the 100m freestyle to qualify for the Sea Games.
Compatriots Christina Loh, Khoo Cai Lin and Yap See Tuan also posted top eight finishes in Singapore. Christina clocked 1:08.94 to settle for fifth in the women's 100m breaststroke, five seconds behind gold medallist Alia Atkinson of Jamaica (1:03.48).
See Tuan (2:14.53) and Cai Lin (8:42.73) finished seventh in the men's 200m breaststroke and women's 800m freestyle respectively.
Read more: Bego encouraged by Singapore show - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/bego-encouraged-by-singapore-show-1.394019#ixzz2jwsD2POn
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