Golden Thai venture continues for duo

400m free medalist, with Steve winning the gold for Group 2 boys

The second day of the SPEEDO Thailand Age Group Swimming Championships 2017 proved to be even more fruitful as Sebastian Soon (Group 1 boys) and Steve Khiew (Group 2 boys) continued their search for more gold today.

In the 400m freestyle event which was swum on a time final basis, Steve bettered his personal best time in MSSM 2017 of 4:15.02 by shedding 3 seconds off. He touched the wall first at 4:12.08 ahead of Thai Peerapat Pandee who came second at 4:12.45. The bronze was collected by Hong Kong swimmer, Dylan Ethan Tsui, when he came third at 4:21.41.

Meanwhile, Sebastian was fairly confident in one of his favourite mid distance event of 400m IM. In the final-timed competition, he led the race in all the 8 laps and undoubtedly emerged to secure the gold at 4:39.99, charting a new faster time he just clocked last month in MSSM 2017.

2 Hong Kong swimmers, Michael Yu and Lam Chak Hang, were tailing him to finish 4:41.42 and 4:46.88 respectively.

Sebastian Soon receiving his medal

Sebastian sandwiched by Hong Kong swimmers who all won medals in 400m IM event

Meanwhile, KL compatriot, Low Ken Ji, also qualified himself into the afternoon final, when he came 7th position in the 50m freestyle preliminary heats at 25.31s. In the final, Ken Ji sped to record a PB of 24.82s in the  Group 1 boys even though he is only 15 years of age, to claim a bronze. 

Ken Ji took bronze after the Thai boys snatched gold and silver at 24.36s and 24.47s.

Congratulations to all the IBSC swimmers on their dazzling performance thus far in the Siamese kingdom.

Steve (left) with Sebastian elated with their golden Thai venture

The top 8 finishers of the Heats of each individual event (with the exception of Timed Final races) is eligible to compete in the Finals. Should there be more than 2 foreign swimmers who finish within the top 8 positions at the Heats, only the top 2 fastest foreign swimmers would compete in the Final.

FINA has approved the Speedo Thailand Age Group Swimming Championships 2017 as meets where swimmers can achieve the FINA “A” and “B” Swimming Qualifying Standard Times for FINA World Championships Budapest 2017.

The race is ongoing until 5 April, 2017 at Thammasat University Swimming Pool, Rangsit Campus, Pathum Thani.

View online results here.

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