NAYPYITAW: A bout of fever dashed Khoo Cai Lin’s hopes of mounting a strong challenge to reclaim her women’s 400m freestyle title at the Wunna Theikdi Aquatic Centre on Friday.
The 25-year-old Cai Lin had finished fastest in the heats in the morning (4:27.77) but fell sick in the afternoon.
That drained her and she could only finish fifth (4:25.02) in the event, which she won in Korat (2007) and Vientiane (2009) before settling for silver in Palembang two years ago.
Sriphanomthorn Benjaporn of Thailand clocked 4:14.23 to take victory, leaving Cai Lin without a medal in the event for the first time since 2007.
Silver went to Vietnamese youngster Nguyen Thi Anh Vien (4:16.06) while Singapore’s Lynette Lim (4:21.24) took the bronze.
“I wasn’t feeling well and I threw up. I thought of withdrawing but didn’t. I tried my best to finish the race but it was not to be.
“I’m not trying to make excuses but I kind of expected this result,” said the visibly pale Cai Lin, who now has to race against time to recover for the 800m freestyle on Saturday.
Cai Lin is the defending champion for the 800m freestyle event.
“I will sleep early and hope it gets better tonight,” said Cai Lin.
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| Khoo Cai Lin going all out to defend her 400m freestyle title at the SEA Games on Dec 13, 2013, despite falling ill. She had to settle for fifth placing after coming down with fever earlier in the day. |
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