The Star : Sarawak lose title but discover a gem in Welson

By LIM TEIK HUAT


SHAH ALAM: Sarawak failed to hang on to the overall champions’ trophy but there was consolation for the East Malaysians with the discovery of a budding star in Welson Sim in the just-concluded MSSM (national schools) swimming championships at the Shah Alam Aquatic Centre.

Welson splashed his way to seven gold medals and five came with new record times, to be crowned the best swimmer in the boys’ 16-18 age-group.

The Kuching-born swimmer ruled the freestyle races, taking home gold medals in 100m, 200m, 400m and 1,500m distances as well as the 50m backstroke.

Welson also anchored Sarawak to victory in the 4x100m freestyle and medley races.

His performances draws comparison to another famous Sarawakian Daniel Bego, who also first made his mark at the national schools meet a few years back.

Incidentally, the age-group records Welson broke belonged to Daniel.

It put a smile on the face of Welson who said it was an honour to break his idol’s mark.

Welson has already taken the first serious step to becoming a top swimmer himself, having accepted the offer to join the full-time national swimming programme based at Bukit Jalil last October.

The transition from Kuching to the big city has not affected the youngster and he is liking the opportunity.

“I started swimming competitively since I was 10 and it has been my strong interest to be good in it.

“Now I am in the national team, I hope to get the chance to represent the country one day and make it to the Olympics.

“My current goal is to get to swim in the Asian Youth Games in Nanjing or either the World Youth Championships in Dubai. Both will be held in August and I will probably have to pick one if I get the nod.

“The coach (Paul Birmingham) has got selection times that I need to pass in order to go.

“I am hoping to swim in the SEA Games in Myanmar in December, but that will be a bonus if I get to go,” added the lanky Welson, who stands 1.78m tall.

Welson was not the only discovery in the national schools meet as new talents like Sabah’s Eric Tan and Selangor duo of Yap Siew Hui and Rosalind Pang also shone in their age-group categories.

Previous top juniors like Christina Loh, Erika Kong and Ian James Barr have since moved on and the MSSM meet provided the platform for the next generation to have their moment of glory.

The NST : SWIMMING: Emulate Selangor, states urged

By Fadhli Ishak

THE Education Ministry has urged states to follow in the footsteps of Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) aquatics champions Selangor and ramp up development efforts at the grassroots level.

MSSM aquatics technical and development chairman Mazlan Abdullah said Selangor's supremacy was the result of the tireless efforts of not just athletes, but also coaches and parents.

Selangor took the overall title with an impressive 42 gold, 37 silver and 16 bronze haul and were responsible for bettering six of the 12 new records set.

"We had our doubts (about records being bettered) as a number of star swimmers were already over-aged for this year's tournament," said Mazlan, who has been overseeing the competition since 1998.

"However, swimmers such as Welson Sim (Sarawak) and Selangor's Yap Siew Hui, Rosalind Pang, Benny Ng and their relay teams proved that they have developed into quality swimmers capable of filling the seniors places.

"They (Selangor) deserve to be champions this year as the development they have done at the grassroots level in the state is amazing.

"This year they had over 1,000 swimmers from roughly 100 schools competing in their state level competition (MSSS) which is the largest in the country.

"This makes competition for places within the state very intensive and spurs athletes to train harder and outdo each other which means they are never short of talent."

Mazlan added that other states need to focus on popularising the sport among primary students if they want to catch up.

"If we can replicate what Selangor have done in every state, the sport will be at a very healthy level.

"Besides Selangor, Federal Territories, Sarawak and Sabah also have strong programmes but other states can be just as good if they put in the effort.

"They need to target promoting the sport among primary school students to give the students an adequate amount of time to develop as you cannot expect success to come overnight.

"They also need coaches who are 'crazy' about the sport and are willing to chase after talented swimmers to build up the sport.

"Parents also need to be supportive as these young students cannot be expected to go to training on their own."

The NST : AQUATICS: Seventh heaven for Welson

By Fadhli Ishak | fadhli_Ishak@mediaprima.com.my

PHENOMENAL: Most promising award caps memorable week for Sarawakian

SARAWAK'S Welson Sim capped a stellar outing at the Malaysian Schools Swimming competition (MSSM) by breaking another two  records on the final day of competition at the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Complex in Shah Alam yesterday.

The freestyle specialist surged to the boys' Under-18 400m freestyle gold in a record four minutes and 6.04 seconds, and erased Kevin Yeap's (Perak) old mark of 4:07.33s set in 2006.

Selangor's Yeap Zheng Yang finished second in 4:13.57s while Alex Tiong (Sarawak) clinched bronze with 4:23.47s.

Welson later anchored Sarawak (Alex Tiong, Granvil Ang, Roydon Ong) to the 4x100m freestyle gold, also in record time.

The team clocked 3:41.49s to better the old mark of 3:41.89s set by Federal Territories in 2011 with Selangor (Lim Jie Wen, Tan Yun Hung, Wong Jun Keat, Benny Ng) taking silver in 3:42.27s.

Penang's Yunn Fun Lim, Tian Fu Chin, Ye Xang Soon and Alwyn Tan clinched bronze with 3:43.66s.

Welson, who won a total of seven gold medals at the championships, said the relay victory was the icing on the cake after a highly successful week in Shah Alam.

"It has been a great tournament for me as I felt strong throughout the week," said the 16-year-old.

"We (Sarawak relay team) had expected to win the 4x100 freestyle but to break the record is a great feeling for all of us.

"It (tournament experience) is a positive experience I will look to build on as I believe there is always room to improve myself."

As expected, Welson -- who rewrote five tournament records -- and Selangor's Yap Siew Hui, who bettered four, won the boys' and girls Outstanding Swimmer of the Championships awards respectively.

Meanwhile, Selangor's Rosalind Pang was in equally impressive form when she anchored her team (Lim Chern Xin, Ho Jia Ern, Shannen Kay Chan) to victory in the girls' Under-12 4x50m freestyle and grab her ninth gold medal at the tournament.

Selangor won in a record time of 2:02.61s which erased the old mark of 2:03.35s set by Sabah in 2008.

Sabah (Jenny Ngo, Ilyani Muhamad, Chi Tong Yipp, Cheng Ka Man) finished second in 2:06.81s while Sarawak (Fatin Farahanim, Mandy Teo, Angel Lau, Toh Chieh Ran) took bronze in 2:10.00s.

In water polo, Malacca successfully defended their title when they beat Negri Sembilan 17-9 in the final.

After clinching the swimming title on Thursday, Selangor were crowned the overall MSSM aquatics champions (including results from diving and water polo) with a 42 gold, 37 silver and 16 bronze haul.

Sarawak, last year's swimming champions, finished second with 21 gold, 21 silver and 25 bronze while FT finished third (15-11-10).

Selangor finished with 42 gold, 37 silver and 16 bronze to emerge as the overall MSSM aquatic champion.

The Star : New swimming star helps Selangor to golden haul and overall title

By LIM TEIK HUAT

SHAH ALAM: Selangor celebrated not just regaining the overall title for swimming but discovered a new budding star in Rosalind Pang as the MSSM (national schools) swimming championships concluded at Shah Alam Aquatic Centre yesterday.

Wonder girl : Rosalind Pang anchoring Selangor to the 4x50m relay title at the Shah Alam Aquatic Centre yesterday. She emerged as the undisputed queen of the pool in the MSSM Swimming Championships winning nine gold medals. - CHAN TAK KONG/The Star

Rosalind pulled off the superb feat of winning all nine of the events she entered for in the girls’ 12 and Under age group as she anchored the Selangor quartet to a record-breaking victory in 4x50m freestyle relay.

And the perfect feat saw her named the best overall swimmer in girl’s 12 and Under age group.

Rosalind, together with Liew Chern Xin, Ho Jia Ern and Shannen Kay, clocked 2:02.61 to break the five-year-old mark of 2:03.35 held by Sabah in the 4x50m freestyle relay.

Rosalind’s other victories were in 50m and 100m backstroke, 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley as well as the 4x50m medley relay.

It was an astonishing turn-around from last year’s meet held in Kota Kinabalu where she only managed a single medal in the same age-group – a silver in 100m freestyle.

But then the Selangor coaches were already expecting her to shine, having dominated her age-group category in the Selangor state swimming meet for the past two years.

“I did not expect to win all the events I took part in. My favourite disciplines are backstroke and freestyle, so I was actually targeting for these,” said Rosalind, who lives in Kota Kemuning and is already part of the Selangor state swimming team. “The results here will boost my efforts to swim faster. I am hoping I will be able to move up and swim for the country one day,” she added.

Selangor captured the overall title with a comfortable total tally of 37-36-14.

In second-placed were Sarawak with 20-18-24 with Sabah edging Kuala Lumpur to third place with 14-12-13. The city boys finished fourth with 13-11-9.

Sarawakian Welson Sim claimed two more gold medals in record-breaking fashion to bring his tally to seven gold medals altogether.

Welson erased the meet record of 4:07.33 held by Kevin Yeap since 2006 in winning the 400m freestyle Open race in 4:06.04.

The 16-year-old Welson anchored the Sarawak team to victory and a new record of 3:41.49 in the boy’s 16-18 4x100m freestyle, bettering the previous record of 3:41.89 set by Kuala Lumpur in 2011.

MSSM 2013 - Day 5 results

Medal tally as at day 5

Day 5 results

BOYS

400m freestyle (open) : 1. Welson Sim (Swk) 4:06.04 (MR), 2. Yeap Zheng Yang (Sel) 4:13.57, 3. Alex Tiong (Swk) 4:23.47

12 and under
4x50m freestyle relay : 1. Sarawak (Ryan Chang, Ryan Yii, Zachary Tan, Adrian Chua) 2:01.63, 2. Selangor (George Ng, Lim Zi Win, Sebastian Soon, Mohd. Shafriz Mohd. Shan) 2:02.68, 3. Kuala Lumpur (Iqmal Zainal, Lee Jia Jing, Low Ken Ji, Khiew Hoei Yean) 2:04.67
13 - 15 years
200m butterfly : 1. Eric Tan (Sab) 2:11.27, 2. Anson Go (Swk) 2:16.50, 3. Nee Gui Ping (Swk) 2:18.28
4x100m freestyle relay : 1. Selangor (Nicholas Soon, Tan Ei Siang, Lee Zhe Yang, Yeap Zheng Yang) 3:49.49, 2. Sarawak (Nee Gui Ping, Jasper Lau, Gregory Ang, Ngu Jiung Wei) 3:50.36, 3. Sabah (Eric Tan, Hollymax Bell, Sin Hung Yipp, Chuan Jing Chia) 3:55.23
16 - 18 years
200m butterfly : 1. Tia'a Faang Der (Joh) 2:09.88, 2. Wong Jun Keat (Sel) 2:11.57, 3. Alex Tiong (Swk) 2:13.17
4x100m freestyle relay : 1. Sarawak (Alex Tiong, Gravil Ang, Roydon Ong, Welson Sim) 3:41.49 (MR), 2. Selangor (Lim Jie Wen, Tan Yun Hung, Wong Jun Keat, Benny Ng) 3:42.27, 3. Penang (Yunn Fu Lim, Tian Fu Chin, Ye Xang Soon, Alywn Tan) 3:43.66


GIRLS

400m freestyle (open) : 1. Angela Chieng (Swk) 4:34.68, 2. Koid Pei Tien Geneverl (Pen) 4:36.94, 3. Chris Tan (Sab) 4:39.65

12 and under
4x50m freestyle relay : 1. Selangor (Liew Chern Xin, Ho Jia Ern, Shannen Kay Chan, Rosalind Pang) 2:02.61 (MR), 2. Sabah (Jenny Ngo, Ilyani Muhamad, Chi Tong Yip, Cheng Ka Man) 2:06.81, 3. Sarawak (Mohd. Faiza Fatin Farahanim, Mandy Teo, Angel Lau, Toh Chieh Ran) 2:10.00
13 - 15 years
200m butterfly : 1. Yap Siew Hui (Sel) 2:26.57, 2. Asmalia Filzati Redzuan (Sel) 2:26.95, 3. Meng Sum Lo (Sab) 2:35.02
4x100m freestyle relay : 1. Selangor (Kimberly Ong, Fatin Amira Ahmad Hadri, Nadia Redza, Yap Siew Hui) 4:12.48, 2. Penang (Chuah Ai Choo Ruth, Soon Ming Fern Andrena, Xin Jie Gan, Tan Yilin Elynn) 4:21.19, 3. Sarawak (Zoe Tan, Deborah Lee Ann, Tan Tyng, Cindy Sui Yea Zhen) 4:21.62
16 - 18 years
200m butterfly : 1. Angela Chieng (Swk) 2:22.60, 2. Mak Ai Sin (Sel) 2:27.29, 3. Freda Awang Pan (Sab) 2:27.83
4x100m freestyle relay : 1. Sabah (Chris Tan, Evon Heng, Trini Wan, Freda Awang Pan) 4:09.13, 2. Selangor (Mak Ai Sin, Kimberly Chan, Anita Yeoh, Kok Cher Ling) 4:13.46, 3. Sarawak (Leong Wan Ying, Sarah Ann Thorp, Nita Wong, Angela Chieng) 4:15.78


See MSSM Full Results here.

View more photos in IBSC Gallery.

The Star : Selangor reign supreme

SHAH ALAM: Two smashing performances from their relay combinations sparked off wild celebrations for Selangor as they regained the overall title – with one day to go – in the MSSM (national schools) swimming championships at the Shah Alam Aquatic Centre.

Jubilant : The Selangor swimmers beaming with pride after their title-winning performances at the Shah Alam Aquatic Centre yesterday. - FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

The Selangor girls’ 12 and under 4x50m medley quartet – comprising Rosalind Pang, Liew Chern Xin, Shannen Kay and Ho Jia Ern – splashed their way to a superb winning time of 2:15.84 to erase the 12-year-old record of 2:17.81 held by Sabah.

Anchor swimmer Rosalind had earlier raced to her sixth individual gold when she won the 50m freestyle in 29.85.

Then, it was the Selangor 13-15 girls’ 4x100m medley quartet of Yap Siew Hui, Nadia Redza, Asmalia Filzati Redzuan and Kimberly Ong who stormed from behind to overtake Kuala Lumpur and register another record-breaking effort.

The Selangor team posted 4:35.98 to wipe off the 2004 mark of 4:40.06 held by Sabah.

Nadia too had earlier claimed her second individual gold in the 200m breaststroke, clocking 2:42.28. With only 12 gold medals left to be fought out today, Selangor have sealed the overall title with their total haul of 33-29-14.

Last year’s overall winners Sarawak are a distant second with 15-16-18 while Kuala Lumpur are third with 13-11-8. Sabah are fourth with 12-11-9.

Selangor team manager B.H. Chin said they were optimistic of ruling the relays but “I did not expect them to bring down the meet records”.

“The meet records have been there for some time and the girls did well today,” she said.

“This is the new generation of swimmers. We have swimmers for every discipline and they have good potential to improve further.”

Faang Tia-a Der of Johor set the only individual record of the day in the boys’ 400m individual medley Open race yesterday.

The 16-year-old, a gold medallist at the Kuantan Sukma last year, clocked 4:44.73 to erase Kevin Lim’s 2009 record of 4:46.30.

See MSSM-MILO Sports Championships 2013 Results

The NST : SWIMMING: Selangor rule the pool

By Fadhli Ishak | fadhli_Ishak@mediaprima.com.my

POWER SHOW: Relay sweep augurs well for the future

HAVING clinched their first overall  title in more than a decade  at the Pahang Malaysia Games last year, Selangor's future in the sport looks set to remain bright after their girls Under-12 and Under-16 relay teams set records in the Malaysian Schools Sports Council swimming championships yesterday.

The Under-12 quartet of Rosalind Pang, Liew Chern Xin, Shannen Kay Chan and Ho Jia Ern shaved over a second off the record of two minutes 17.81 seconds set by Sarawak in 2001 en route to clinching the 4x50m medley relay event gold.

Selangor won in 2:15.84s with Federal Territories (Karla Lim, Christy Teh, Anjali Lim, Pun Pei Jin) finishing second in 2:24.15s. Third were Sabah (Michelle Yong, Jenny Ngo, Ilyani Muhamad, Cheng Ka Man) who clocked 2:26.56s.

The gold in the event was the eighth Rosalind has won at the championships thus far.

The Under-16 team of Yap Siew Hui, Nadia Redza, Asmalia Filzati and Kimberly Ong took the 4x100m medley gold in 4:35.98s to erase the old mark of 4:40.06s set by Sabah in 2004.

FT's Tan Rou Ying, Koh Jia Yi, Cindy Tai and Zoe Bowden clinched silver in 4:40.24s while Penang (Ruth Chuah, Gan Xin Jie, Andrena Soon, Elynn Tan Yilin) had to settle for bronze on 4:49.50s.

Selangor team manager B.H Chin said her charges' exploits in the relay events are a healthy sign for the future of the sport in the state.

"To be honest, we had expected to win both events after comparing our swimmers' times to that of our competitors," said Chin.

"However, we did not expect to set record times and to do so is a great achievement for all the girls who have worked very hard."

With only 12 gold medals on offer on the final day today, Selangor -- whose athletes are coached by former national swimmers Mark and Marilyn Chua -- are now officially overall winners of the swimming competition with an unassailable 33 gold, 29 silver and 14 bronze haul. Sarawak (15-16-18) are second while FT are in third place with 13 gold, 11 silver and eight bronze.

Meanwhile, a fatigued Tia'Faang Der (Johor) did well to rewrite the boys' Under-18 400m individual medley record when he won the event in 4:44.73s to erase the old mark of 4:46.30s set by Selangor's Kevin Lim in 2009.

Second was Sarawak's Alex Tiong (4:52.56s) while Malacca's Foong Wei Yao clinched bronze with 4:57.37s.

Despite the victory, Faang Der -- whose personal best in the event is 4:40.40s -- felt he could have lowered the record even more.

"I felt quite tired after three days of hard swimming here," said the SMK Desa Skudai student.

 

Sarawak's Welson Sim missed out on a clean sweep of the boys' Under-18 individual freestyle events when he finished fifth in the 50m freestyle.

Penang's Alwyn Tan took gold in 24.64s while Selangor's Benny Ng finished second (24.76s). Perak's Wong Jie clocked 25.05s for the bronze.

All smiles from the Selangor Under-12 and Under-16 teams who set records in the 4x50m and 4x100m medley relay events respectively.

In diving, Megan Elizabeth Teoh of Selangor -- who on Tuesday took the 1m springboard gold -- clinched the girls' Under-12 3m springboard title to complete a clean sweep in her age group.

Megan sealed victory with a 200.15 score ahead of Sabah duo Nur Ain Naadzmi (170.15) and Nurfazriyanti Jali (137.25) who finished second and third respectively.

The 12-year-old, who trains under coach Qi Jian Hua of China, said she was delighted with her performance after having to settle for silver and bronze in the 1m and 3m springboard events last year.

Selangor's Ng Zheng Hao, who won the 1m springboard on Wednesday, also notched a double when he took the boys' Under-15 3m springboard gold with a 269.45 score.

Negri Sembilan's Mohd Danial Asyraf (189.60) clinched silver while FT's Abdul Hakim A.Kahar finished third on 62.65.

The boys' Under-18 1m springboard saw Negri's Adzhar Imran Rusli edge Sarawak's Chan Wee Chiek to the gold with a 322.00 score against the latter's 310.90. Third was Sylvester Gaing Peter Jawa who scored 276.50.

The boys' water polo final today will see a repeat of last year's decider after defending champions Malacca and Negri both breezed past their semi-final opponents.

Malacca were rarely tested in their 21-3 win over Selangor while Negri overpowered FT 16-8.

MSSM 2013 - Day 4 results

Medal tally as at day 4

Day 4 medal tally

Day 4 results

BOYS

400m IM (open) : 1. Tia'a Faang Der (Joh) 4:44.73 (MR), 2. Alex Tiong Sie Hung (Swk) 4:52.56, 3. Foong Wei Yao (Mlk) 4:57.37

12 and under
50m freestyle : 1. Adrian Chua Wei Kiat (Swk) 29.28, 2. Rowvan Ganesan (Joh) 29.72, 3. Zachary Tan (Swk) 30.23
4x50m medley relay : 1. Kuala Lumpur (Khiew Hoei Yean, Lee Jia Jing, Low Ken Ji, Iqmal Zainal) 2:15.23, 2. Selangor (George Ng, Sean Goh, Sebastian Soon, Lim Zi Win) 2:16.16, 3. Sarawak (Hii Puong Wei, Ryan Yii, Adrian Chua) 2:23.76
13 - 15 years
50m freestyle : 1. Yeap Zheng Yang (Sel) 25.47, 2. Eric Tan (Sab) 25.49, 3. Gregory Ang Wei Lin (Swk) 26.26
200m breaststroke : 1. Nicholas Soon (Sel) 2:30.98, 2. Adam Faizal (Kul) 2:38.93, 3. Ngu Jiung Jing (Swk) 2:42.07
4x100m medley relay : 1. Selangor (Tan Ei Siang, Nicholas Soon, Ooi Joo Vern, Yeap Zheng Yang) 4:15.64, 2. Sabah (Hollymax Bell, Gelton Chong, Eric Tan, Sin Hung Yipp) 4:17.67, 3. Sarawak (Ngu Jiung Wei, Ngu Jiung Jing, Nee Gui Ping, Gregory Ang) 4:19.72
16 - 18 years
50m freestyle : 1. Tan Yean Yang Alywyn (Pen) 24.64, 2. Benny Ng Shi Jie (Sel) 24.76, 3. Wong Jie (Prk) 25.05
200m breaststroke : 1. Khaw Chan Hao (Kdh) 2:29.77, 2. Benny Ng (Sel) 2:31.88, 3. Tan Choon Hoe (Swk) 2:32.08
4x100m medley relay : 1. Sarawak (Alex Tiong, Tan Choon Hoe, Roydon Ong, Welson Sim) 4:06.30, 2. Kuala Lumpur (Wong Tzi Rok, Andrew Ting, Yeo Jin Jie, Keith Lim)  4:10.16, 3. Selangor (Nor Shahiran Shah, Benny Ng, Wong Jun Keat, Lim Jie Wen) 4:13.30

GIRLS

400m IM (open) : 1. Angela Chieng (Swk) 5:08.77, 2. Nadia Redza (Sel) 5:10.49, 3. Koid Pei Tien Geneverl (Pen) 5:25.84

12 and under
50m freestyle : 1. Rosalind Pang (Sel) 29.85, 2. Cheng Ka Man (Sab) 30.22, 3. Liew Chern Xin (Sel) 30.91
4x50m medley relay : 1. Selangor (Rosalind Pang, Liew Chern Xin, Shannen Kay Chan, Ho Jia Ern) 2:15.84 (MR), 2. Kuala Lumpur ( Karla Lim, Christy Teh, Anjali lim, Pun Pei Jin) 2:24.15, 3. Sabah (Michelle Yong, Jenny Ngo, Ilyani Muhamad, Cheng Ka Man) 2:26.56
13 - 15 years
50m freestyle : 1. Tan Rou Ying (Kul) 28.06, 2. Yap Siew Hui (Sel) 28.59, 3. Tan Yilin Elynn (Pen) 28.86
200m breaststroke : 1. Nadia Redza (Sel) 2:42.28, 2. Koh Jia Yi (Kul) 2:45.88, 3. Kimberly Ong (Sel) 2:50.89
4x100m medley relay : 1. Selangor (Yap Siew Hui, Nadia Redza, Asmalia Filzati, Kimberly Ong) 4:35.98 (MR), 2. Kuala Lumpur (Tan Rou Ying, Koh Jia Yi, Cindy Tai, Zoe Bowden) 4:40.24, 3. Penang (Ruth Chuah Ai Choo, Xin Jie Gan, Andrena Soon Ming Fern, Tan Yilin Elynn) 4:49.50
16 - 18 years
50m freestyle : 1. Kok Cher Ling (Sel) 27.82, 2. Chris Tan (Sab) 28.81, 3. Koid Pei Tien Geneverl (Pen) 28.92
200m breaststroke : 1. Mak Ai Sin (Sel) 2:45.76, 2. Pee Jing En (Kul) 2:51.91, 3. Angela Chieng (Swk) 2:56.78
4x100m medley relay : 1. Sarawak (Nita Wong, Sarah Ann Thorp, Angela Chieng, Leong Wan Ying) 4:43.49, 2. Sabah (Chris Tan, Trini Wang,  Freda Awang Pan, Evon Heng) 4:43.75, 3. Selangor (Kimberly Chan, Mak Ai Sin, Anita Yeoh, Kok Cher Ling) 4:47.27



See MSSM 2013 Full Results

View more photos in IBSC Gallery.

MSSM Notice for Day 5, 29 March 2013

Dear MSSM swimmers,

Please note that swimming events on Friday, 29 March 2013 has been changed to afternoon, 2.30 pm.

Swimmers are required to report to the marshall's room at 2.00 pm.

The NST : SWIMMING: Unfinished business

By FADHLI ISHAK | fadhli_ishak@mediaprima.com.my

FIERY FORM: Welson wants to break more records to book Sea Games berth

SARAWAK'S Welson Sim strengthened his claim for a spot in the Myanmar Sea Games squad this year when he continued his fine form in the Malaysia Schools Sports Council Swimming championships by breaking another long-standing tournament record yesterday.

Welson, who on Monday broke Daniel Bego's eight-year-old 200m freestyle mark, clinched gold in the boys Under-18 100m freestyle in a new record time of 52.94 seconds at the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Complex in Shah Alam.

The old mark of 53.49s was set by Selangor's Foo Jian Beng six years ago.

In second place was Penang's Alwyn Tan (54.00s) while Sarawak's Roydon Ong clinched bronze on 54.14s.

Despite the victory, the 16-year-old, who also won the 50m backstroke gold yesterday (28.29s), said he still has unfinished business at the tournament.

"It feels great to get my fourth gold medal here and also set a new personal best and record in the 100m freestyle," said the Bukit Jalil Sports School student, whose former personal best in the 100m freestyle was 53.36s.

"The freestyle is my favourite event and I want to win and hopefully break more records in the 50m (today) and 400m (tomorrow) freestyle events as well.

"I have never been to the Sea Games and would like to go this year. I am hoping to improve this year and make the team this time."

Meanwhile, Sabah siblings Eric and Chris Tan both notched double victories to bring their individual gold medal hauls to four and five respectively.

Eric (boys' Under-16) and Chris (girls' Under-18), who are coached by former Olympian Alex Lim Keng Liat, cruised to the 50m backstroke gold in 29.39s and 32.34s respectively.

Eric later added the 200m individual medley (2:15.48s) while Chris took the 100m freestyle in a time of 1:00.82s. She, however, had to settle for bronze in the 200m individual medley (2:28.68s).

Sabah siblings Eric (left) and Chris Tan both notched double victories to bring their individual gold medal hauls to four and five respectively.

In diving, Ng Zheng Ni eased to the girls under-15 1m springboard gold with a 191.65 score.
Second was Negri Sembilan's Aimi Nazifah Shaari (129.90) while Nur Amira Najha Tahir of Johor clinched bronze with 114.55.

Zheng Ni, who joined the national back-up squad in January, said she is hoping to repeat her double victory in the tournament last year.

"I did a few mistakes today (yesterday) but am happy to start the tournament with a win," said the 13-year-old, who won two bronze medals at the Malaysia Games in Pahang last year.

"I won two gold medals (in MSSM) last year and I hope to improve in the 3m springboard event (today) and defend both my gold here."

Her elder brother, Ng Zheng Hao, was also in impressive form as he clinched the boys' Under-15 1m springboard title with a score of 220.35.

Negri's Mohd Danial Asyraf Azmi took bronze on 200.85 while Federal Territories Abd Hafiz Abd Kahar finished third with 75.35.

The boys' Under-18 1m springboard saw Sarawak's Carlysle Chan take gold with a 309.30 score.
Silver went to Slyvester Gaing Peter Jawa (262.50) while Negri's Adzhar Imran Rusli took bronze on 257.70s.

FT's Hanis Nazirul Jayasurya, who won the 1m springboard on Tuesday, completed a clean sweep in the boys Under-12 competition when he clinched the 3m springboard gold with 279.45, ahead of Sabah's Jellson Jabilliin (235.20) and Farez Izzudin Suhaimi who took bronze on 213.30s.
In the final round of group matches in water polo, defending champions Malacca maintained their 100 per cent record with a 23-10 win over Sabah.

FT rebounded from their 16-3 defeat to Malacca on Tuesday to advance to the semi-finals with a 16-8 win over Perak while Negri, also unbeaten in the tournament, eased past Penang 22-6.
Malacca will play Selangor while FT are set to face Negri in the semi-finals today.

The Star : Keng Liat’s proteges Eric and Chris haul in golds for Sabah

The terrific Tans : Eric (left) and Chris showing their gold medals at the Shah Alam Aquatic Centre Wednesday. - FAIHAN GHANI/The Star.

SHAH ALAM: The Tan siblings of Eric and Chris, who are trained by former Asian Games gold medallist Alex Lim Keng Liat, hauled in two golds each for Sabah on the third day of the MSSM (national schools) swimming championships at the Shah Alam Aquatic Centre yesterday.

Eric, the younger by two years, came out tops in the 50m backstroke (29.39) and 200m individual medley (2:15.48) in the boys’ 13-15 age-group.

His sister Chris, a gold medallist at the Kuantan Sukma last year, was equally dominant in the 16-18 age-group as she bagged gold medals in the 100m freestyle (1:00.82) and 50m backstroke (32.34).

She now has five gold medals, having earlier won the 100m and 200m backstroke as well as the 200m freestyle.

Eric is now determined to emulate his sister’s feat in the pool over the next two days.

“I’ve won a total of four gold medals so far. The other two came from the 50m and 100m butterfly, which are my strong events. I’ve not broken any records so far but I’m happy to have chalked up personal bests in the 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley.

“I didn’t do well in last year’s meet in Kota Kinabalu but I’ve worked hard and am happy to get better results this time,” said Eric, who made his Sukma debut in Kuantan last year but did not win anything.

Eric has a chance to increase his tally as he still has the 50m freestyle and 200m butterfly.

Only one meet record sank in the pool yesterday – courtesy of Sarawak’s Welson Sim, who clocked 52.94 in the boys’ 16-18 100m freestyle. It erased Foo Jian Beng’s previous mark of 53.49 set in 2007.

It was Welson’s third record in as many days.

With two days of competition remaining, Selangor are on course to become overall champions. The hosts lead the medal standings with a 24-24-10 haul, with Sabah a distant second with 12-6-8. Sarawak are next with 11-15-11, followed by Kuala Lumpur with 11-5-8.


See The Star - MSSM-MILO sports championships 2013 Result

MSSM 2013 - Day 3 results

Medal tally as at day 3

Day 3 medal tally

Day 3 results

BOYS

12 and under
100m freestyle : 1. Adrian Chua Wei Kiat (Swk) 1:03.16, 2. Zachary Tan (Swk) 1:03.81, 3. Rowvan Ganesan (Joh) 1:03.85
50m backstroke : 1. Khiew Hoei Yean (Kul) 34.56, 2. George Ng (Sel) 35.78, 3. Rowvan Ganesan (Joh) 36.06
200m IM : 1. Khiew Hoei Yean (Kul) 2:35.63, 2. Sebastian Soon (Sel) 2:37.18, 3. Lim Zi Win (Sel) 2:37.25
13 - 15 years
100m freestyle : 1. Yeap Zheng Yang (Sel) 54.51, 2. Ngu Jiung Wei (Swk) 56.00, 3. Gregory Ang Wei Lin (Swk) 58.19
50m backstroke : 1. Eric Tan (Sab) 29.39, 2. Hollymax Bell (Sab) 29.48, 3. Ngu Jiung Wei (Swk) 30.50
200m IM : 1. Eric Tan (Sab) 2:15.48, 2. Nicholas Soon (Sel) 2:20.93 and Ngu Jiung Wei (Swk) 2:20.93
16 - 18 years
100m freestyle : 1. Welson Sim (Swk) 52.94 (MR), 2. Tan Yean Yang Alwyn (Pen) 54.00, 3. Roydon Ong (Swk) 54.14
50m backstroke : 1. Welson Sim (Swk) 28.29, 2. Wong Tzi Rok (Kul) 28.78, 3. Foong Wei Yao (Mlk) 29.02
200m IM : 1. Alex Tiong (Swk) 2:13.84, 2. Tia'a Faang Der (Joh) 2:15.61, 3. Foong Wei Yao (Mlk) 2:16.23


GIRLS

12 and under
100m freestyle : 1. Rosalind Pang (Sel) 1:04.82, 2. Cheng Ka Man (Sab) 1:06.15, 3. Liew Chern Xin (Sel) 1:06.62
50m backstroke : 1. Rosalind Pang (Sel) 35.06, 2. Michelle Yong (Sab) 36.16, 3. Shannen Kay Chan (Sel) 36.47
200m IM : 1. Rosalind Pang (Sel) 2:43.16, 2. Clarissa Cheam Hui Ying (Pen) 2:44.50, 3. Liew Chern Xin (Sel) 2:45.12
13 - 15 years
100m freestyle : 1. Yap Siew Hui (Sel), 1:01.97, 2. Tan Yilin Elynn (Pen) 1:02.59, 3. Kimberly Ong (Sel) 1:03.02
50m backstroke : 1. Tan Rou Ying (Kul) 32.60, 3. Yap Siew Hui (Sel) 33.65, 3. Zoe Bowden (Kul) 34.03
200m IM : 1. Nadia Redza (Sel) 2:25.37, 2. Yap Siew Hui (Sel) 2:33.96, 3. Meng Sun Lo (Sab) 2:35.25
16 - 18 years
100m freestyle : 1. Chris Tan (Sab) 1:00.82, 2. Kok Cher Ling (Sel) 1:01.81, 3. Koid Pei Tien Geneverl (Pen) 1:01.84
50m backstroke : 1. Chris Tan (Sab) 32.34, 2. Kimberly Chan (Sel) 33.34, 3. Zi Xin Heah (Pen) 33.42
200m IM : 1. Mak Ai Sin (Sel) 2:28.00 2. Angela Chieng (Swk) 2:28.66, 3. Chris Tan (Sab) 2:28.68



See MSSM 2013 Full Results

View more photos in IBSC Gallery.

The NST : Siew Hui and Welson the stars again

By FADHLI ISHAK | fadhli Ishak@mediaprima.com.my

THE TOAST: Crack records on way to wins

SARAWAK'S Welson Sim and Yap Siew Hui of Selangor were again the standout performers on the second day of the Malaysia Schools Sports Council (MSSM) swimming championships with both setting records yesterday.

Siew Hui took close to a second off Hii Siew Siew's mark of one minute 4.01 seconds, set in 2009, en route to clinching the gold medal in the girls' Under-16 100-metre butterfly at the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Complex in Shah Alam.

The 15-year-old, who on Monday broke the 50m butterfly record, yesterday won in 1:03.06s with the silver going to teammate Asmalia Filzati who clocked 1:05.55s. Third was Federal Territories' Tan Rou Ying on 1:06.83s.

Despite two gold medals in the bag, the Bukit Jalil Sports School student said she was hungry for more.

"I was pushing quite hard today (yesterday) and am very happy that I managed to break another record," said Siew Hui, who joined the national elite set-up last December.

"I feel I have improved a lot since joining the national team. I have learned to specialise more and my strokes have improved a lot."

She added: "Physically I still feel strong and have the backstroke, freestyle and individual medley events coming up. Although they are not my pet events, I will give it my best."

Siew Hui, however, had to settle for silver in the 200m backstroke in 2:39.59s. Rou Ying took gold in 2:38.28s with FT's Zoe Bowden third in 2:41.12s.

Yap Siew Hui won gold in the Under-16 butterfly yesterday

Welson, who broke Daniel Bego's eight-year-old 200m freestyle record on Monday, yesterday won the boys' Under-18 1500m freestyle in a record time of 16:13.17s. The old time of 16:35.56s was set by Selangor's Kevin Lim in 2009.

Johor's Tia'a Faang Der took silver in 17:09.15s while bronze went to Sarawak's Ngu Jiung Wei (17:15.08s).

Meanwhile, the water polo competition saw defending champions Malacca grab their second group stage win with a commanding 16-3 victory over fellow contenders FT. Perak, who lost their opening game to Malacca on Monday, rebounded with a 20-7 win over Sabah while Selangor eased past Penang 31-7.

In diving, FT's Hanis Nazirul Jayasurya, who is set to join the national back-up squad later this year, proved his pedigree when he eased to the boys' Under-12 1m springboard gold with a 194.30 score.

In second place was Selangor's Ikhlas Ahmad Sharol Lail on 178.95 while Sabah's Jellson Jabillin (175.90) clinched the bronze.

The girls' Under-12 1m springboard saw Selangor's Megan Elizabeth Teoh cruise to victory with a score of 167.65 ahead of Sarawak's Kimberly (134.70). Sabah's Nur Ain Naadzmi was third on 134.50.

The Star : Siew Hui completes sweep of short races in record times

Splashing to a double : Selangor's Yap Siew Hui powering her way to another 100m butterfly record in the girls' 13-15 age-group at the Shah Alam Aquatic Centre yesterday. - FAIHAN GHANI/ The Star

SHAH ALAM: Youngster Yap Siew Hui proved that she could be the right swimmer for the butterfly races after powering her way to another record in the MSSM (national schools) swimming championships at the Shah Alam Aquatic Centre yesterday.

The 15-year-old completed her double for Selangor by clocking 1:03.06 to break the previous mark of 1:04.01 held by former national swimmer Hii Siew Siew. The record in the girls’ 13-15 age-group for the 100m butterfly had stood since 2009.

Selangor team-mate Asmalia Filzati Redzuan took silver with 1:05.55 while Kuala Lumpur’s Tan Rou Ying finished third with 1:06.83.

Siew Hui, who also won the 50m butterfly on Monday with a new record, has amassed three golds and two silvers so far.

She also took gold in the 100m backstroke and the silver medal she earned yesterday came in the 200m backstroke, finishing behind Rou Ying. Despite completing a sweep of the short butterfly races in record times, Siew Hui was far from pleased with her efforts.

“I felt that I could have gone a second faster.

“The 50m and 100m butterfly are my two strong events and I’m happy to be able to break the meet records,” said last year’s Pahang Sukma gold medallist.

Siew Hui with her gold medal

“I still have six more events to go but I’m not setting high expectations as I’m stronger in the butterfly.

“I hope to swim for the country one day.”

Siew Hui joined the national squad based at Bukit Jalil early this year.

With Marellyn Liew having left the Bukit Jalil set-up, there is a pressing need to find a good woman butterfly swimmer for the SEA Games campaign in Myanmar.

Siew Hui appears to be the best bet at the moment, considering her time is better than the winning time in the girls’ 16-18 age-group (1:06.76 set by Mak Ai Sin of Selangor).

Sarawak’s Welson Sim also notched his second record in the national schools meet when he won the 1,500m freestyle Open race in 16:13.76.

The 15-year-old boy’s time eclipsed the previous mark of 16:35.56, which was set by Kevin Lim in 2009.

MSSM 2013 - Day 2 results

Medal tally as at day 2

Day 2 medal tally

Welson Sim, broke the 1500m freestyle record

Day 2 results

BOYS

1500m freestyle (open) : Welson Sim (Swk) 16:13.17 (MR), 2. Faang Der Tia'a (Joh) 17:09.15, 3. Ngu Jiung Wei (Swk) 17:15.08

12 and under
100m breaststroke : 1. Lee Jia Jing 1:22.89, 2. Sean Goh (Sel) 1:25.55, 3. Low Zheng Yong (Mlk) 1:26.39
100m butterfly : 1. Sebastian Soon (Sel) 1:10.91, 2. Low Zheng Yong (Mlk) 1:12.14, 3. Khiew Hoei Yean (Kul) 1:12.75
13 - 15 years
100m breaststroke : 1. Nicholas Soon (Sel) 1:10.16, 2. Eric Tan (Sab) 1:12.20, 3. Ngu Jiung Jing (Swk) 1:12.75
200m backstroke : 1. Hollymax Bell (Sab) 2:17.70, 2. Ngu Jiung Wei (Swk) 2:20.13, 3. Jasper Lau (Swk) 2:29.11
100m butterfly : 1. Eric Tan (Sab) 59.27, 2. Nee Gui Ping (Swk) 1:01.54, 3. Ngu Jiung Jing (Swk) 1:02.16
16 - 18 years

100m breaststroke : 1. Benny Ng (Sel) 1:08.35, 2. Khaw Chan Hao (Ked) 1:09.54, 3. Foong Wei Yao (Mlk) 1:11.29
200m backstroke : 1. Faang Der Tia'a (Joh) 2:16.05, Foong Wei Yao (Mlk) 2:17.35, Low Kar Jun (Joh) 2:26.31

100m butterfly : 1. Roydon Ong (Swk) 58.27, 2. Wong Wai Kit (Sab) 58.59, 3. Keith Lim (Kul) 59.14


GIRLS

12 and under
100m breaststroke : 1. Liew Chern Xin (Sel) 1:25.69, 2. Shanene Kay Chan (Sel) 1:25.72, 3. Clarissa Cheam (Pen) 1:26.73
100m butterfly : 1. Rosalind Pang (Sel) 1:12.70, 2. Anjali Lim (Kul) 1:13.53, 3. Shannen Kay Chan (Sel) 1:13.76
13 - 15 years
100m breaststroke : 1. Koh Jia Yi (Kul) 1:15.21, 2. Nadia Redza (Sel) 1:15.28, 3. Kimberly Ong (Sel) 1:18.11
200m backstroke : 1. Tan Rou Ying (Kul) 2:38.38, 2. Yap Siew Hui (Sel) 2:39.59, 3. Zoe Bowden (Kul) 2:41.12
100m butterfly : 1. Yap Siew Hui (Sel) 1:03.06 (MR), 2. Asmalia Filzati Redzuan (Sel) 1:05.55, 3. Tan Rou Ying (Kul) 1:06.83
16 - 18 years
100m breaststroke : 1. Pee Jing En (Kul) 1:15.58, 2. Mak Ai Sin (Sel) 1:17.16, 3. Geneverl Koid (Pen) 1:19.45
200m backstroke : 1. Chris Tan (Sab) 2:28.80, 2. Nita Wong (Swk) 2:31.89, 3. Heah Zi Xin (Pen) 2:35.19
100m butterfly : 1. Mak Ai Sin (Sel) 1:06.76, 2. Angela Chieng (Swk) 1:06.97, 3. Freda Awang Pan (Sab) 1:07.02

View more photos in IBSC Gallery.

MSSM 2013 - Day 1 results

Medal tally on Day 1 

Day 1 medal tally

Day 1 results

BOYS

12 and under boys, 100m backstroke winners

12 and under
50m breaststroke : 1. Sean Goh (Sel) 37.77, 2. Lee Jia Jing (Kul) 38.17, 3. Iqmal Zainal (Kul) 38.30
200m freestyle : Adrian Chua (Swk) 2:18.31, 2. Khiew Hoe Yean (Kul) 2:18.78, 3. Zachary Tan (Swk) 2:19.82
50m butterfly : Rowvan Ganesan (Joh) 31.94, 2. Sebastian Soon (Sel) 32.54, 3. Low Zheng Yong (Mlk) 33.13
100m backstroke : Khiew Hoei Yean (Kul) 1:12.08, 2. Zachary Tan (Swk) 1:15.98, 3. George Ng (Sel) 1:17.52
13-15 years
50m breaststroke : 1. Nicholas Soon (Sel) 31.85, 2. Adam Faizal (Kul) 32.63, 3. Thai Jia Wei (Nse) 32.81
200m freestyle : 1. Yeap Zheng Yang (Sel) 1:58.76, 2. Ngu Jiang Wei (Swk) 2:02.11, 3. Eric Tan (Sab) 2:04.00
50m butterfly : 1. Eric Tan (Sab) 27.41, 2. Nee Gui Ping (Swk) 27.86 and Nicholas Soon (Sel) 27.86
100m backstroke : 1. Hollymax Bell (Sab) 1:03.67, 2. Ngu Jiung Wei (Swk) 1:04.00, 3. Eric Tan (Sab) 1:04.71
16-18 years

50m breaststroke : 1. Benny Ng (Sel) 30.14 (MR), 2. Tan Chong Heng )Swk) 30.97, 3. Khaw Chan Hao (Ked) 31.45

200m freestyle : 1. Welson Sim (Swk) 1:55.74 (MR), 2. Roydon Ong (Swk) 1:59.19, 3. Yunn Fu Lim (Pen) 2:00.18

50m butterfly : 1. Roydon Ong (Swk) 26.15, 2. Tan Yean (Pen) 26.59, 3. Wai Kit Wong (Sab) 26.63

100m backstroke : 1. Alex Tiong (Swk) 1:02.70, 2. Foong Wei Yao (Mlk) 1:02.78, 3. Wong Tzi Rok (Kul) 1:03.25

GIRLS

12 and under girls, 100m backstroke winners

12 and under

50m breaststroke : 1. Liew Chern Xin (Sel) 38.86, 2. Aida Azrina Kamaruddin (Ked) 39.91, 3. Cheam Hui Ying (Pen) 39.50

200m freestyle : 1. Rosalind Pang (Sel) 2:21.37, 2. Liew Chern Xin (Sel) 2:24.67, 3. Cheng Ka Man (Sab) 2:26.50

50m butterfly : 1. Shannen Kay Chan (Sel) 31.51, 2. Ho Jia Ern (Sel) 32.42, 3. Aida Azrina (Ked) 33.04

100m backstroke : 1. Rosalind Pang (Sel) 1:17.19, 2. Cheng Ka Man (Sab) 1:19.18, 3. Michelle Yong (Sab) 1:19.53
13-15 years

50m breaststroke : 1. Koh Jia Yi (Kul) 34.10, 2. Nadia Redza (Sel) 34.87, 3. Kimberly Ong (Sel) 36.13

200m freestyle : 1. Yap Siew Hui (Sel) 2:15.82, 2. Asmalia Filzati Redzuan (Sel) 2:17.58, 3. Tan Yilin (Pen) 2:17.84

50m butterfly : 1. Yap Siew Hui (Sel) 28.40 (MR), 2. Asmalia Filzati Redzuan (Sel) 29.91. 3. Tan Rou Ying (Kul) 30.19

100m backstroke : 1. Tan Rou Ying (Kul)1:11.46, 2. Yap Siew Hui (Sel) 1:12.11, 3. Asmalia Filzati Redzuan (Sel) 1:15.01
16-18 years
50m breaststroke : 1. Pee Jin En (Kul) 34.33, 2. Mak Ai Sin (Sel) 35.59, 3. Boey Wen Teng (Pah) 36.61

200m freestyle : 1. Chris Tan (Sab) 2:10.58, 2. Angela Chieng (Swk) 2:13.33, 3. Nita Wong (Swk) 2:14.56

50m butterfly : 1. Freda Awang Pan (Sab) 30.46, 2. Kok Cher Ling (Sel) 30.86, 3. Angela Chieng (Swk) 31.09

100m backstroke : 1. Chris Tan (Sab) 1:07.97, 2. Kimberly Chan (Sel) 1:12.29, 3. Zi Xin Heah (Pen) 1:13.05

800m freestyle (open) : 1. Angela Chieng (Swk) 9:22.27, 2. Geneverl Koid (Pen) 9:29.61, 3. Nita Wong (Swk) 9:31.35


View more photos in IBSC Gallery

The NST : SWIMMING: Welson cracks Daniel's eight-year-old record

By Fadhli Ishak | fadhli_Ishak@mediaprima.com.my 

STUNNER: Sarawakian makes impressive start

SARAWAK'S Welson Sim got off to a blistering start at the Malaysian Schools Sports Council swimming championships when he broke the eight-year-old tournament record in the boys' under-18 200m freestyle at the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Complex in Shah Alam yesterday.

Welson clocked 1:55.74 seconds to take the gold medal.

The old mark of 1:56.83s was set by fellow Sarawakian Daniel Bego in 2005.

In second place was teammate Roydon Ong (1:59.19s) while Penang's Yunn Fu Lin took bronze in 2:00.18s.

The Bukit Jalil Sports School student, who joined the national elite set-up last October, said he was happy to have notched his first gold at the tournament.

"It was my goal to break the record here and I am happy to have done so," said the 16-year-old.

"Daniel Bego is my idol and to break his record which has been standing for some time now means a lot to me."

Welson, however, did not fare as well in the 100m backstroke where he finished fourth in 1:05.11s.

Selangor's Benny Ng, who is coached by former national swimmer Marellyn Liew, was also in impressive form winning the under-18 50m breaststroke in a new time of 30.14s. The old record of 30.62s was set by Federal Territories' Shaun Yap last year.

Second was Sarawak's Tang Chong Heng who managed 30.97s while Kedah's Khaw Chan Hao was third on 31.45s.

Selangor's Yap Siew Hui, another recent addition to the national elite squad, was the only girl to set a record when she won the 50m butterfly yesterday. The 15-year-old bettered Heidi Loo's former record of 29.48s (set in 2009) with a time of 28.40s.

Teammate Asmalia Filzati took silver in 29.91s while bronze went to Federal Territories' Tan Rou Ying who managed 30.19s.

Siew Hui claimed a second gold medal in the 200m freestyle which she won in 2:15.82s but had to settle for silver in the 100m backstroke where she clocked 1:12.11s.

The water polo competition saw defending champions Malacca open their campaign with a comfortable 21-8 win over Perak in their group stage encounter.

Federal Territories hammered Sabah 26-0 while Negri Sembilan edged Selangor 9-6.

The diving competition begins today.

Record breakers Welson Sim and and being briefed on the heritage room by Yap Siew Hui jubilate after their feats at the Malaysian Schools Sports Council championships yesterday.

The Star : Sarawakian Welson Sim breaks Daniel Bego’s eight-year-old 200m record

Tuesday March 26, 2013


SHAH ALAM: Sarawakian Welson Sim was on cloud nine after breaking his idol’s eight -year-old meet record in the MSSM (national schools) swimming championships at the Shah Alam Aquatic Centre yesterday.

Beaming with joy : A happy Welson Sim Wee Shang of Sarawak after winning the gold and breaking the meet record in the Boys 16-18 200m freestyle in Shah Alam Monday, - ART CHEN/The Star

His idol is none other than multiple SEA Games gold medallist Daniel Bego.

And yesterday, Welson looks set to follow in the footsteps of the better known Sarawakian after clocking 1:55.74 in the boy’s 16-18 200m freestyle race to erase Daniel’s record of 1:56.83 set in 2005.

Welson made a strong splash on the first day of the national schools meet considering he only moved up to the 16-18 age-group category this year, But still, he was not that pleased with his effort.

“I felt I could have done better as this is my favourite discipline. I was confident of breaking the meet record as I had swam a personal best of 1:55.00. That’s why I felt I could have done better,” said Welson, who also smashed Daniel’s long-time records in the 13-15 age-group category in the national schools meet in Kota Kinabalu last year.

He now trains together at the same pool with his fellow Sarawakian after accepting a call-up to join the full-time national swimming squad based at Bukit Jalil under Australian coach Paul Birmingham.

Welson was not the only record breaker. Selangor duo Yap Siew Hui and Benny Ng set new records in girls’ 13-15 50m butterfly and boy’s 16-18 50m breaststroke respectively.

Siew Hui clocked 28.40 to erase the previous mark of 29.48 set by Heidi Loo in 2009 and it turned out to be a personal best for her.

“It is better than the time I set when I took gold for Selangor at last year’s Sukma in Kuantan,” said Siew Hui, who took her second gold in the 200m freestyle and a silver in 100m backstroke.

Benny posted 30.14 to better last year’s winning mark of 30.62 belonging to Shaun Yap in the boy’s 16-18 50m breaststroke race.

The Star : Selangor fancied to dethrone Sarawak in MSSM aquatics championships

Monday March 25, 2013

By LIM TEIK HUAT


PETALING JAYA: Selangor rode on a well-planned development programme to emerge overall champions in swimming at the Pahang Sukma in Kuantan last year. And the balance of power could be shifting to the hosts this time as they seek to dethrone Sarawak in the MSSM (national schools) aquatics championships at Shah Alam Aquatic Centre starting today.

Swimming will be the blue riband event in the national schools meet held during the school holidays and Selangor are certainly not short on promising talents eager to strut their stuff.

Selangor in fact will be parading several Sukma gold medallists from Pahang last year in their bid to top their friendly rivalry with East Malaysian states Sarawak and Sabah.

Amongst the Selangor swimmers who will be out to make headlines over the next five days are freestyle swimmer Kok Cher Ling, butterfly swimmer Yap Siew Hui and breaststroker Nadia Adrianna Redza.

Cher Ling took Sukma gold medals in women’s 50m and 100m freestyle in Kuantan last year and has entered for four events in the girls’ 13-15 age-group. She may face strong competition from her own team-mate – 14-year-old Nadia Adrianna, who claimed a stunnning win in women’s 200m breaststroke in Kuantan last year. Nadia has entered for six races but should be supreme in the breaststroke discipline.

Siew Hui, the Sukma gold medallist in women’s 50m butterfly, will be out to make the most of opportunities to rule in the girls’ 16-17 age-group in the absence of Sarawak’s Erika Kong.

Erika, who represented the country in the 2010 Commonwealth and Asian Games, splashed her way to seven gold medals in last year’s meet in Kota Kinabalu but is no longer eligible.

Siew Hui has a hectic schedule as she has entered for 10 events but will face strong competition from Sabah swimmers Freda Awang Pan and Chris Tan, who are both eyeing victories in the respective short and middle distance freestyle discipline.

Sabah and Sarawak have always had good development programmes in aquatics with the likes of Alex Lim Keng Liat, Elvin Chia and Daniel Bego first making their mark in the state schools meet before gaining national prominence.

Sarawak will not be ruing so much the absence of Erika as they have good depth in the age-group categories.

They can count on youngsters like Welson Sim, Alex Tiong, Nee Gui Ping and Angela Chieng, whose were already a revelation in last year’s meet in Kota Kinabalu as award winners in the respective age-group categories.

Welson broke two of Daniel Bego’s long standing freestyle meet records in Kota Kinabalu last year and the 15-year-old has already been roped into the full-time national training programme at Bukit Jalil.

Gui Ping is another young swimmer to watch this week as he erased Keng Liat’s long standing butterfly records in Kota Kinabalu.

For the record, Sarawak won the overall title with 38 golds, 27 silvers and 15 bronzes, almost all of which came from swimming events with the exception of one silver and one bronze contributed by their diving team. Sarawak also won five out of six individual awards that were given away. But it could be a different story as everything points to an interesting battle in the pool this week.

MSSM swimming - 30 years ago

Since MSSM swimming championship is just round the corner, have you ever wondered how the swim meet was held 30 years ago?

Some of us may not have a single clue. Did the swimmers need to jump off the block? Did they have lesser judges to DQ them? Did they have any special suit to help their buoyancy? 

Maybe yes and no. And maybe the swimmers have lesser stress than the current generation.

An ex-IBSC swimmer, Choong Yip Weng was kind enough to share with us some of his old photo collections, neatly stacked in a box for the last 3 decades (and now put to good use!). The photos below revealed finer details of the MSSM swimming championship held in the Weld Road swimming pool in 1981, which may be a little different compared to the present scene.

The 80s' swimmers didn't have the luxury or comfort of wearing goggles, most likely because they weren't easily available then. Competitive goggles were only made part of swimming equipment until later years.

Notice how super busy were the time-keepers? There wasn't any electronic touch pad installed at the finishing line and all times were tracked manually under watchful eyes. 

Swimmers were still very well-built then but the winner's podium looked a little too cramped though.

But one tradition remains the same; swimmers still like to throw their buddies into the water after the meet!

* photos courtesy of Choong Yip Weng, ex-IBSC swimmer

Watch out for our next photos sharing on National Age Group swimming championship more than 3 decades ago.

View more photos at the IBSC Gallery

Star Metro : Yap Siew Hui sets four new records en route to winning nine golds in MSSS

Thursday March 21, 2013
By Y.P. SIVAM
metrospt@thestar.com
Photos by FAIHAN GHANI


SMK CATHOLIC’S Yap Siew Hui and SMJK Yu Hua’s Nicholas Soon were named the overall champion in the girls and boys category, respectively in the Milo-Selangor Schools Sports Council (MSSS) swimming championships at the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Centre in Shah Alam recently.

Golden girl : Siew Hui sharing he proud moment with Ong.

Siew Hui, a Form Three student and also a member of the national training squad, won nine gold medals and created four new records in the girls’ Under-15 group. Her records came in the 50m butterfly (28.75); 100m butterfly (1:03.42); 200m butterfly (2:27.51) and 200m freestyle (2:13.73).

Her nine golds also contributed to Petaling Utama emerging as the overall champions with 43 gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze.

Siew Hui was excited with her golden splash and attributed her success to the intensive training with the national squad.

“I have to thank my parents, especially my mother, for their support. My mother sent me to training daily for the past three months at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil, ’’ said Siew Hui, who was also named as the Best Swimmer in the girls’ Under-15 group.

Nicholas, a Form Three student, established three new records enroute to being crowned as Best Swimmer in the boys’ Under-15 category. His new records were in the 100m breaststroke (1:09.37), 50m breaststroke (31.82) and 200m breaststroke (2:31.45).

Swimmers from Sri Kuala Lumpur dominated both the boys and girls categories in the Under-10 group. In the boys section, David Ong Tzi Lee accumulated 64 points, created two new records and named the Best Swimmer while Nessa Yip Yi Wen set a new record and collected 60 points to be awared as the Best Swimmer in the girls’ category.

SJK (C) Yu Hua’s Sebastion Soon, with 76 points, was named the Best Swimmer in the boys’ Under-12 categpory while SJK(C)’s Rosalind Pang was voted Best Swimmer in the girls’ Under-12 category. She rewrote two new records and had 106 points.

Well done : The swimmers and officials from Sri Kuala Lumpur receiving the challenge trophy  for Best School in primary school category.

The Best Swimmer award in the boys’ Under-18 category went to Sri Emas International School’s Benny Ng Shuie. The youngster rewrote two records and had 92 points.

SMK Damansara Jaya’s Mak Ai Sin was named the Best Swimmer in the girls’ Under-18 group for creating two new records. She collected 124 points.

For the second season, SMK Catholic were crowned as the Best School with 26 gold, five silver and six bronze medals while Sri Kuala Lumpur triumphed in the primary schools with 11 gold, seven silver and two bronze medals.

SMK Catholic principal Ong Boon Puah said they were pleased to emerge champions.


“The results were because of dedicated teachers and students. The parents also had supported the students in various ways,’’ said Boon Puah.

Selangor Education Department Sports Unit Head Nor Azli Abdul Rahman said the championships was a platform for them to identify swimmers for the Milo-Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) championships, which takes place on Monday.

“Selangor will be hosting the championships. The results have given us an indication of the swimmers’ potential. Most of them are training under their respective coaches. So, we expect them to continue their training programme,’’ said Nor Azli.

Selangor Amatuer Swimming Association (Sasa) vice-president Ong Jin Kooi, who served as one of the judges at the swimming championships, said the event was a platform for promising swimmers to gain exposure.

“As state chief coach, I am also happy with the swimmers’ results. Most of the winners are also in the training programme. We were able to monitor them during the competition. We hope to see them excel in the MSSM championships,’’said Jin Kooi.


Roll of Honour

Overall champions: 1. Petaling Utama; 2. Petaling Perdana; 3. Hulu Langat.

Best school (secondary): SMK Catholic

Best School (primary): Sri Kuala Lumpur


Best swimmers

Boys

Under-10: David Ong Tzi Li (Sri Kuala Lumpur)

Under-12: Sebastian Soon (SJK(C) Yu Hua)

Under-15: Nicholas Soon (SMJK Yu Hua)

Under-18: Benny Ng Shijie (Sri Emas International School)

Overall champion: Nicholas Soon (SMJK Yu Hua)


Girls

Under-10: Nessa Yip Yi Wern (Sri Kuala Lumpur)

Under-12: Rosalind Pang (SJK(C) Lick Hung)

Under-15: Yap Siew Hui (SMK Catholic)

Under-18: Mak Ai Sin (SMK Damansara Jaya)

Overall champion: Yap Siew Hui (SMK Catholic)

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2013/3/21/central/12812515&sec=central

Change of training schedule during 2013 MSSM week

Dear IBSC swimmers and parents,


As Coach Shazali will be away during the MSSM Swimming Championship 2013 from 25 March to 29 March 2013, please be informed that his stroke corrections and pre-stroke classes will be cancelled for the week.

The affected IBSC swimmers under Coach Shazali can continue their regular training sessions under Coach Kamaruddin or Coach Mui Nyee.

Thanks and regards,
Vivian Ong
IBSC Hon. Secretary

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