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.