The NST : SWIMMING: Pool sharks

By AJITPAL SINGH | ajitpalsingh@mediaprima.com.my

RECORDS FALL: Cai Lin shatters five-year mark, Yi Ting dominates

Siow Yi Ting with her gold medals at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday. Pix by Goh Thean Howe

Cai Lin, 25, finished in two minutes and 03.20 seconds, shattering the mark of 2:03.55 set by her in December, 2008 at the Asean University Games in Kuala Lumpur. Hong Kong's Sze Hang Yu won the gold medal in 2:01.36 while Sabah's Chris Tan Li Ling finished third on 2:09.71.

It was Cai Lin's first national record since the ban of bodysuits in 2010. The Sea Games champion had also set national records in the 400m and 800m freestyle with the help of bodysuits.

The delighted Cai Lin celebrated by raising a fist after the race and was later congratulated by national coach Paul Birmingham.

"Obviously, I am delighted as it has been a long time since I last broke a national record. I attribute my success to hard work in the pool and mental training," said Cai Lin, a two-time Olympian, yesterday.

"I came close to breaking the record in Perth in January. I knew then that I could achieve it if I focus more on training. I was expecting a good race today (yesterday), not a record. It is great to break a record without the bodysuit."

Cai Lin, who is representing Selangor in the competition, was so nervous before the race that she could not take a short afternoon nap.

"I normally take naps in-between training or races. I started well and gained more momentum as the race progressed," said Cai Lin, who won the 200m butterfly on Thursday.

Cai Lin will compete in the 400m and 800m freestyle and is expected to win both events easily.

"I am hoping to break my 800m record of 8:45.36 set at the 2009 Laos Sea Games. I have come close several times and hope to finally do so tomorrow (Sunday)."

Siow Yi Ting of Negri Sembilan dominated the women's 200m individual medley, setting a new meet record. The national swimmer finished in two minutes and 17.78 seconds ahead of Hong Kong's Chan Kin Lok (2:20.11) and Sarawak's Erika Kong (2:22.34).

Yi Ting's most memorable race was, however, in the 50m breaststroke when she edged Sea Games champion and teammate Christina Loh for the gold medal. She clocked 32.94 followed by Christina in 32.96 and Selangor's Phee Jing En (33.77).

Selangor's Wong Tzi Rok finished third in the men's 50 backstroke in 28.00 to qualify for next year's Youth Olympic Games in China.

 

RESULTS -- Men's 50m backstroke: 1 Tern Jian Han (Joh) 26.59, 2 Ian James Barr (KL) 27.11, 3 Wong Tzi Rok (Sel) 28.00;

50m breaststroke: 1 Sandeep Sejwal (Ind) 28.87, 2 Shaun Yap Kah Choon (Sel) 28.93, 3 Yap See Tuan (Pah) 29.88;

200m freestyle: 1 Lim Ching Hwang (Sel) 1:50.62 (MR), 2 Daniel Bego (Sar) 1:51.46, 3 Kevin Yeap (Per) 1:53.22;

200m individual medley: 1 Ian James Barr (KL) 2:06.75, 2 Alwyn Tan (Pen) 2:12.61, 3 Tia'a Faang Der (Joh) 2:12.96;

4x200m freestyle relay: 1 Selangor 7:58.84, 2 Kuala Lumpur 8:24.38, 3 Penang 8:33.04

Women's 50m backstroke: 1 Carolina Chan Zi Xin (Sel) 30.36, 2 Chui Lai Kwan (Sab) 30.81, 3 Tan Rou Ying (KL) 32.07;

50m breaststroke: 1 Siow Yi Ting (NS) 32.94, 2 Christina Loh (KL) 32.96, 3 Phee Jing En (Sel) 33.77;

200m freestyle: 1 Sze Hang Yu (HK) 2:01.36, 2 Khoo Cai Lin (Sel) 2:03.20 (NR), 3 Chris Tan Li Ling (Sab) 2:09.71;

200m individual medley: 1 Siow Yi Ting (NS) 2:17.78 (MR), 2 Chan Kin Lok (HK) 2:20.11, 3 Erika Kong (Sar) 2:22.34;

4x200m freestyle relay: 1 Sabah 8:55.08, 2 Selangor 9:00.86, 3 Kuala Lumpur 9:21.25.

* NR: national record, * MR: meet record

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