Awe-inspiring swimmers in Karnival Bakat Kebangsaan (KBK) Siri 1/2019

IBSC continued the momentum from last week’s PRAKL Talent Carnival, Circuit 1 2019 and managed to top the medal list in the talent ID program with excellent achievement in Karnival Bakat Kebangsaan (KBK) Siri 1/2019.

This one day meet was held yesterday, 13 July 2019,  at the National Aquatic Centre, Bukit Jalil with a total of 235 swimmers from all over the states of Malaysia, comprising of novice swimmers and new learners from very young age groups of 5 to 12 years old.

Since it is a KL meet, IBSC sent the most number of participants to the junior meet, with 74 participants. Our team positioned itself easily on top of the  pinnacle as overall champion with 28 gold and 16 silver and 17 bronze.

Congratulation to all IB swimmers who swam well especially so to the greenhorns who tasted victory for the first time. The talent ID program has undoubtedly motivated and inspired many new comers into the swimming sports.

The meet was graced by the Director from Majlis Sukan Wilayah Persekutuan (MSWP), Yang Berusaha Dr Hasnul Faizal Bin Hushin Amri during the Victory Ceremony, accompanied by MSWP officials.

Among our junior pre-comp swimmers, Joelyne Wong's fantastic show earned her the top female point-earner as she scored 80 points with 4 gold and 4 silver. She swam in all 8 events in the 7-8 years category.

Joelyn Wong (middle) flanked by Melaka swimmers during the victory ceremony presented by Yang Berusaha Dr Hasnul Faizal, Pengarah MSWP (left) and President of PRAKL, Mr Teo Mua Seng (right)

Cruising closely with 76 points is Ho Jia Xuen, 10, with 3 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze. Enormous effort by Jia Xuen as all coloured medals were within his reach. Jia Xuen took the opportunity to achieve 5 sets of new improved PBs.

Ho Jia Xuen (centre) won gold in 100 breast and Chin Yu Kean won bronze from team IBSC.

Another commendable performance by a newbie was exhibited by Rebecca Chan, 11, who collected 4 gold and 2 bronze in the meet, improving her position from last week's PRAKL Talent meet.

Rebecca Chan (in yellow) fully gratified with her achievement

Pictured here, Rebecca Chan's brother, Benjamin Chan  (in yellow) was presented gold  medal in Male 6 & Under 50 Free.

The tiny pre-school category was most interesting event to watch during the race as excited parents cheered for their kids swimming with kicking fins and boards, in an Olympic size pool which is humongous in comparison to their size.

Rebecca's brother, Benjamin Chan, 6 , who have just learned how to swim last year, was all delighted with his medals win too. Ben made his coach proud by winning 2 gold and 1 silver.

Yap Zi Bo and Josh Ting were both the youngest girl and boy, respectively, taking part in the 5-6 years old category for team IBSC. Zi Bo also learned how to swim last year and made spectacular progress by winning 2 gold and 2 silver in the event, thanks to her hard working attitude and her love in swimming. Mean while, Josh Ting managed to get 3 bronze even though still resisting much to swim practices.

Yap Zhi Bo, 6, was the youngest IB swimmer participating in the 5-6 years category.

Josh Ting, standing next to President, Mr Teo during the victory ceremony.

Josh's older sister, Callie Ting, switched from diving to swimming, and proved to yield more promising results as she secured 3 gold and 3 bronze in the swimming competition.

Congratulation to Callie Ting (in orange) who won gold and Beatrice Law (right) who got bronze in Female 9-10 100 Fly.

Congratulations to all medalists and worthy of mentions are also Yap Zhen Kok, David Lee, Awwal Zasfika, Choo Diwen, Chan Xian Ang, Adam Malik,   Beatrice Law, Chin Yu Kean, Chin Ying En and Amita Wong for their podium finishes. Matching praises also goes to swimmers who shave their times with new PBs.

Congratulation to David Lee  (2nd from left) who got first placing in Male 11-12 100 Back

Congratulation to Chan Xian Ang who got gold in Male 11-12 100 Fly

Congratulation to Yap Zhen Kok who got gold in Male 7-8 50 Back.

Choo Diwen won gold in 100 breast and Yap Zhen Kok has silver in the same event

Congratulation to Yap Zhi Bo who got silver and Chin Ying En who got bronze in Female 5-6 50 Fly.

Great job to the swimmers and coaches!

Lastly, we would like to express our great thanks to PraKL for hosting and managing the swimming Bakat event for MSWP, providing their technical expertise and resources. Albeit not having an electronic timing system, the race was run smoothly. Big credits are also due to energetic crew team comprising of active parents and mostly senior IB swimmers who are so ever willing to help out.  BRAVO to the Technical Officials and awesome Volunteers!

Part of the crew team as Volunteers and Technical Officials. Thank you!