The NST : SWIMMING: Bego out of Commonwealth Games

LIM Ching Hwang and Christina Loh splashed to victory in their respective events in the Malaysia Open as coach Paul Birmingham disclosed that Daniel Bego will not compete in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games at National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Lim Ching Hwang en route to winning the men’s 100m freestyle in the Malaysia Open at Bukit Jalil yesterday. Pic by GOH THEAN HOWE

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Ching Hwang met the qualifying ‘B’ time for next year’s World Championships in the men’s 100m freestyle while Sea Games champion Christina did the same in the women’s 100m breaststroke.

The Singapore-based swimmer, who turned 18 in March, did not taper for the event as his coach had to attend a conference for one and a half weeks.

Ching Hwang finished the race in 51.12 seconds ahead of silver medallist Danny Yeo of Singapore, who posted 51.67. Compatriot Welson Sim finished third on 52.22.

“There was not much training during my coach’s absence,” said Ching Hwang yesterday.

“I just want to swim good times this year and get better in my pet events. I will represent Kuala Lumpur in the Malaysia Games in Perlis and then compete in the Southeast Asian age-group meet in Indonesia in June.”

Ching Hwang, who hit 50.95 in last month’s National Age-Group Championships, hopes to break Daniel’s five-year-old national record of 50.16 soon.

“I have been clocking sub-50 seconds consistently. I have given myself two years to break his record but I believe I can achieve it sooner,” said Ching Hwang, who is competing in seven events in the Malaysia Open.

Christina, a double gold medallist at last year’s Sea Games in Myanmar, also qualified for the world meet under the ‘B’ category by posting 1:10.63 in the 100m breaststroke. It was also a new meet record.

Daniel’s recurring shoulder injury has left Birmingham with a headache as the Australian coach wants to prepare him for priority competitions.

“Except for kicking the water, Daniel has not gone through the full training programme for the last few weeks. His physiotherapist informed me that he should avoid stroking in the water as he may further aggravate his shoulder problem,” said Birmingham.

Daniel underwent three shoulder surgeries before returning to competition last year. The freestyle specialist, who won five gold medals in the 2009 Sea Game in Laos, will have to return before the end of the month or risk missing the Incheon Asian Games in September.

Results — (Malaysia unless stated): Men's 100m freestyle: 1 Lim Ching Hwang 51.12sec, 2 Danny Yeo (Sin) 51.67, 3 Welson Sim 52.22; 100m breaststroke: 1 Wong Chun Yan (Hkg) 1:03.46, 2 Shaun Yap 1:04.73, 3 Chou Kit (Mac) 1:04.99; 200m butterfly: 1 Tia'a Faang Der 2:06.53, 2 Kenny Lisanputra (Ina) 2:06.85, 3 Muhd Hamgarli (Ina) 2:08.86; 400m individual medley: 1 Ricky Anggawidijaja (Ina) 4:32.33 (MR), 2 Rodrick Luhur (Ina) 4:43.09, 3 Tia'a Faang Der 4:45.69; 4x100m: 1 Indonesia 3:52.32, 2 Kuala Lumpur 4:02.95, 3 Macau 4:06.43.

Women's 100m freestyle: 1 Chui Lai Kwan 57.96, 2 Dewi Ressa Kania (Ina) 58.09, 3 Mylene Ong (Sin) 58.63; 100m breaststroke: 1. Christina Loh 1:11.97 (MR), 2 Samantha Louisa Yeo (Sin) 1:11.71, 3 Phee Jinq En 1:12.33; 200m Butterfly: 1 Monalisa Arieswaty (Ina) 2:14.68, 2 Yap Siew Hui 2:18.86, 3 Raina Saumi (Ina) 2:19.72; 400m individual medley: 1 Erika Kong 4:56.49, 2 Nadia Redza 4:59.26, 3 Tang Jing (Sin) 5:03.71; 4x100m medley: 1 Indonesia 4:29.69, 2 Kuala Lumpur 4:42.00, 3 Selangor 4:45.21.


Read more: SWIMMING: Bego out of Commonwealth Games - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/swimming-bego-out-of-commonwealth-games-1.591226#ixzz31NRZpkCe