The Star : Jian Han breaks old record in backstroke win

BY ASHREENA PILLAI

KANGAR: Johor’s Tern Jian Han smashed the 18-year-old 200m backstroke Sukma record and then grabbed the gold medal in the final at the State Aquatic Centre.

The 19-year-old from Batu Pahat clocked 2:07.02 to set a new meet record in the heats on Sunday morning to erase Lim Keng Liat’s long-standing record of 2:07.27 set at the Pahang Games in 1996.

In the final, Jian Han clocked 2:09.14 to win his second gold of the Games.

Tern Jian Han en route to winning the 200m backstroke in the Sukma Games on Sunday. - GARY CHEN/ The Star

Selangor’s Alex Tiong Sie Hung touched in at 2:11.85 to bag the silver while Johor’s Tia’A Faang Der clocked 2:12.55 to finish third.

“I’m very happy to break such a long-standing record. I was not targeting for it. I just wanted to go all out and swim my best,” said Jian Han.

“I went into the final wanting to improve the time but unfortunately, it did not happen. I’m a little disappointed. I think there are a few things that I can improve on, especially my technique and stamina,” he added.

Jian Han ended his most successful outing at the Games with two golds (100m and 200m backstroke) and one bronze (4x10m medley relay).

Equally impressive was Selangor’s Chan Jie. He set another meet record, this time in the 100m butterfly with a time of 55.04. He bettered Daniel Bego’s time of 55.27 set at the 1998 Selangor Games.

Penang’s Alwyn Tan Yean Yang (55.92) took the silver while Keith Lim Kit Sern of Federal Territories (56.16) finished third.

The final day of competition saw Selangor crowned as overall champions with an impressive haul of 42 medals – 11 golds, 18 silvers and 13 bronzes. FT finished second with a 10-6-9 collection while Sarawak were third with a 9-5-3 haul.