Keith broke 100m free record in SIPMA 2015

SIPMA 2015 in Perlis ended with a sweet note on 26 Nov, 2015 for the Lim siblings as Keith Lim broke the 100m free record when he swum the event with a record time of 51.86s erasing the old record set by Yeap Zheng Yang in 2013 of 53.38s. Chan Jie and Lee Zhe Yang took to silver and bronze respectively.

Keith's sister, Karla Lim took gold in her pet event of 100m backstroke when she touched home at 1:13.75 to win over Lo Meng Sum and Goh Weng Yee.

Karla with older brother Keith, proud with their SIPMA achievement

Meanwhile, Nur Latifa Zahra managed a silver in her 50m backstroke after clocking 33.83 behind Caroline Chan (31.97).

Well done to all the IBSC swimmers! Congratulations!

The Star : Welson and Asmalia deliver the goods in Asean Schools Games

By Lim Teik Huat

PETALING JAYA: Swimmer Welson Sim made a double sweep of the middle distance freestyle titles as Malaysia bagged three more gold medals in the pool at the 7th Asean Schools Games in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.

The 18-year-old from Sarawak set a new meet record of 1:50.46 on his way to a comfortable win in the boys’ 200m freestyle final. Thailand’s Chakorn Wanphen, the previous record holder at 1:52.66, settled for silver in 1:55.41. Maurica Sacho of the Philippines took bronze in 1:55.61.

Having claimed the 400m freestyle title on Monday, Welson has clearly proved that he is the fastest middle distance swimmer in the region.

Welson won the Singapore SEA Games gold medal in 400m freestyle in June and has broken the national 200m freestyle record three times in the last two months.

His personal best of 1:48.26 for the 200m freestyle, posted at the FINA Swimming World Cup in Dubai early this month, is the fastest in the region this year.

Welson went on to anchor the 4x100m freestyle relay quartet to victory – and his third gold of the meet – later.

The Malaysian quartet of Brendan Yip, Yoo Zhi Qian, Foong Wei Tze and Welson clocked 3:32.28 to finish ahead of Indonesia (3:35.35) and Singapore (3:38.30).

Asmalia Filzati Redzuan provided more joy for Malaysia when she won the girls’ 200m butterfly final.

Malaysia's Asmalia Filzati Redzuan during the National Schools swimming meet last year. - The STAR Filepic

Bukit Jalil Sports School swimmer Asmalia clocked 2:21.79 to hold off Thailand’s Jutharnan Suthiwong (2:22.81) for the gold medal.

Malaysia also got a bronze from Jordan Yip, who clocked 1:00.69 in the boys’ 100m backstroke final.

After two days of competition, Indonesia are just ahead of Malaysia in the overall standings for swimming, with a haul of 6-8-3.

Malaysia have raked in 5-1-2 to be placed second, ahead of Singapore (3-1-2) and Thailand (2-5-5).

IBSC swimmers on podium at SIPMA 2015

The 6th SIPMA (Sukan Institusi Pendidikan Malaysia) 2015 is currently being held in Perlis, with the swimming event taking place since 23 Nov, 2015.

The contingents in SIPMA are :

1. MAJLIS SUKAN SEKOLAH MALAYSIA (MSSM)
2. MAJLIS SUKAN INSTITUSI PENDIDIKAN GURU MALAYSIA (MSIPGM)
3. MAJLIS SUKAN MATRIKULASI MALAYSIA (MSMM)
4. MAJLIS SUKAN UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA (MASUM)
5. MAJLIS SUKAN POLITEKNIK MALAYSIA (MSPM)
6. MAJLIS SUKAN KOLEJ KOMUNITI MALAYSIA (MASKOM)
7. MAJLIS SUKAN INSTITUSI PENDIDIKAN TINGGI SWASTA (MASISWA)


Selected IBSC swimmers representing either their schools or institute of higher learning have been doing well so far, up north. The meet is scheduled to end tomorrow on 26 Nov, 2015.

Take a glimpse of the results achieved by IBSC's swimmers for the past few days and today :

Karla Lim (right) was all smile winning the 200m backstroke with a new PB of 2:34.98

Keith Lim winning gold in 200m fly, way ahead of his competitors with a great time of 2:08.86

Keith in action to winning the 200m fly - Pic courtesy of  Mrs Monica Goh

Nur Iman Nabilah grabbed silver in long distance 800m free event 

Nur Latifa (right) managed a bronze in 50m free 

CONGRATULATIONS to Keith Lim and his sister, Karla Lim, Nur Iman Nabilah and Nur Latifa for such great feats.

For full results of SIPMA 2015, visit http://www.sipma2015.com/web_jadual_keputusan.php

Desmond added a bronze in Asean School Games 2015

Desmond Ng has done IBSC proud again as he added a bronze to his medal collection in the 100m breaststroke event today in the 7th Asean School Games (ASG) in Brunei. Desmond qualified in 5th position in the morning preliminary heats with a time of 1:07.58. In the afternoon final, he swam his best PB of 1:05.89 neck to neck with Indonesian swimmer, Ilham Turmudzi (1:05.36) and Thai swimmer, Jirapat Rimpranam (1:05.58) to grab the third placing.

Congratulations to Desmond for his awesome achievement.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian boys relay team, represented by Hollymax Bell, Desmond Ng, Jordan Yip and Welson Sim, also earned consolation third place in the 4x100m medley relay events, .

The ASG 2015 came to a close today after a 3-day competition in Bandar Seri Begawan and the games was championed by Team Indonesia with 9 gold, followed closely by Malaysia in second place (8 gold) and Singapore in third place (6 gold). See medal tally below.

Well done Team Malaysia.

Day 3 prelim and full results can be viewed here.

Day 2 Results - 7th Asean School Games 2015

 The prelim and final results of the day 2 Asean School Games 2015 can be viewed here.

The Star : Welson and Yi Hao reign in the pool at Asean Schools Games

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

KUALA LUMPUR: Talented youngsters Welson Sim and Ng Yi Hao have splashed their way to golden victories for Malaysia in the swimming competition of the 7th Asean Schools Games in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.

The 18-year-old Welson left Thailand’s Chakorn Wanpern trailing in his wake as he powered his way to win the boys’ 400m freestyle final in 3:57.16. The Thai clocked 4:01.73, with Singapore’s Wong Jun Bin settling for the bronze in 4:05.05.

National swimmer Welson Sim

Sarawak-born Welson also won the same event at the Singapore SEA Games in June and posted a new national record of 3:52.57 to finish eighth at the FINA World Cup leg in Doha.

The 16-year-old Yi Hao delivered the second gold for Malaysia in the boys’ 200m breaststroke event when he led all the way in the final to touch the wall in 2:21.78, ahead of Indonesian Ilham Turmudzi (2:22.63) and Thai Sophonwich Traiwijsutitong (2:24.99).

Yi Hao was named the best swimmer (for boys) in this year’s MSSM swimming championships in Shah Alam for breaking two meet records – the 50m and 100m breaststroke events.

Welson and Yi Hao were also fastest in their preliminaries.

Angela Chieng was the fastest qualifier for the girls’ 400m freestyle but could not maintain the momentum in the final. The Sarawak-born Angela settled for silver in 4:31.79, behind Indonesia’s Sagita Putri Krisdewanti (4:28.57). Another Malaysian, Nadia Adrianna Redza (4:31.88) got the bronze.

Desmond scooped up gold in Asean School Games 2015 in Brunei

Well done to Desmond Ng for his powerful swim in 200m breaststroke yesterday at the 7th Asean Games 2015 at Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei where he scooped up gold in his pet event.

Desmond led all the way in the 4-lap race ahead of Indonesian rival, Ilham Turmudzi (2:22.63) and Thai swimmer, Sophonwich Traiwijsutitong (2:24.99)  to touch the wall first at 2:21.78. Even though not his personal best time, Desmond was happy to have secured a gold medal on day 1.

Watch Desmond in action in 200m breaststroke.

*Video credits to Jeremy Khoo

Another IBSC swimmer, Wong Jun Bin, who is based in Singapore Sports School, also did well by getting a bronze in the 400m freestyle event where he clocked 4:05.05 behind national swimmer Welson Sim (3:57.16) and Thai swimmer, Chakorn Wanphen (4:01.73).

Wong Jun Bin - file pic

Apart from the above swimmers, Anson Chew and Sebastian Soon are also in the contingent to Brunei. We wish them good luck!

Results of 7th Asean School Games 2015 are also be available on the Meet Mobile for those using iPhone and Android.


See the first day prelim and final results.

IBSC's Team Briefing for President Cup 2015

Dear IBSC swimmers,

Please note that there will be a team briefing by Team Manager, Mr Vincent Low this coming Saturday as follows :

Travel itinerary and school leave letter will be distributed during the team briefing.

Team members are advised to collect their swim kits and team attire from IBSC's office commencing Friday, 20 Nov, 2015.

Thank you for attention.

Swim Committee

2016 PRAKL Age Group Swimming Championship

Dear All,

The invite and info on PRAKL Age Group Swimming Championship 2016 is as below :


Date                                :    30th January – 1st February, 2016 (Sat - Mon)
Venue                             :    Kuala Lumpur Swimming Complex,
                                             Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur
Organizer                        :    Kuala Lumpur Amateur Swimming Association  (KLASA)
Rules                               :    FINA Rules applies
Date of Age Reckoning  :    1st January, 2016
Entry Closing Date         :    4th January, 2016
Team Manager Meeting :    30th January, 2016 at 8.00 a.m.
Entries                             :   No limit to the number of swimmers or events


Please download invite and documents here.

Order of Events are :

Entry form for IBSC swimmers is due on or before 23 December, 2015.  In order to register for the competition, IBSC Entry Form must be accompanied by Membership Renewal Form.

Regards,
IBSC Swim Committee

The Star : Swimmers Welson and Jinq En shine again in Dubai

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Teenagers Welson Sim and Phee Jinq En cranked out new national records to cap off their seasons on a high at the FINA Swimming World Cup leg in the United Arab Emirates.

Welson clocked an impressive 1:48.11 for fifth place in the men’s 200m freestyle final in Dubai on Saturday. He agonisingly missed out on the Rio de Janeiro Olympic A qualifying time of 1:47.97 by 0.14 seconds.

National swimmers Phee Jinq En and Welson Sim pose for a photo after finishing their events at the FINA World Cup leg in Dubai on Saturday.

But Welson managed to improve on his own national record of 1:48.26 set at the World Cup leg in Doha, Qatar, last week.

Sarawak-born Welson reached the top-eight final as the second-best swimmer after clocking 1:48.89 behind Olympic champion Yannick Agnel. The Frenchman clocked 1:48.85.

Britain’s James Guy, the world champion, took the gold in 1:46.60 ahead of Serbian Velimir Stjepanovic (1:46.63) and Brazil’s Jeremy Stravius (1:46.63). Agnel finished fourth in 1:47.28.

The 18-year-old Welson is on the reserve list for next year’s Rio Olympics, having earlier beaten the qualifying time of 1:51.75 but it is the A time he is eyeing for.

No Malaysian has qualified for the Olympics under the A time since Alex Lim Keng Liat in the men’s 100m backstroke at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Welson, the 400m freestyle SEA Games gold medallist in Singapore in June, is optimistic he can achieve his Olympic dream before the qualifying campaign ends on July 3.

“It’s my goal to compete in my first Olympics. I want to continue to improve bit by bit through exposure in high level meets like the World Cups,” he said.

Jinq En also had a good end to the season, becoming the first Malaysian to dip under 32 seconds in the women’s 50m breaststroke.

The 17-year-old posted 31.80 for sixth place in the final, improving on her national record of 32.01 registered at the World Cup leg in Singapore last month.

It was Jinq En’s second national record in Dubai as she clocked 1:09.64 to smash Siow Yi Ting's six-year-old mark of 1:09.82 in the 100m breaststroke on Friday.

Jamaican Alia Atkinson, the bronze medallist at the World Championships in July, claimed the gold in 30.26. American Molly Hannis clocked 30.54 for the silver while Australian Jane Pickett Leiston clinched the bronze in 30.79.

Two other Malaysians – Keith Lim and Ian James Barr – also competed in Dubai.

Keith finished 26th in the men’s 50m freestyle after clocking 23.88 while Ian was placed 13th in the men’s 200m individual medley with a time of 2:08.44.

The Star : All hail the new queen! jinq En breaks another national swim record

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Swimmer Phee Jinq En is the nation’s new breaststroke queen.

The 17-year-old smashed three-time Olympian Siow Yi Ting’s six-year-old national record on her way to finishing a respectable 10th in the women’s 100m breaststroke event at the FINA Swimming World Cup leg in Dubai.

Jinq En clocked 1:09.64 in the morning’s heat to dip under the previous national record of 1:09.82, set by Yi Ting at the 2009 SEA Games in Laos.

Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson, the silver medallist at the World Aquatics Championships in July, was the fastest qualifier in 1:07.35.

It wasn’t enough to see Jinq En make the top-eight final, but she was still all smiles after notching her second national record in two months.

Jinq En had smashed Christina Loh’s 2011 national mark of 32.11 by clocking a superb 32.01 to finish fourth in the women’s 50m breaststroke final at the World Cup meet in Singapore last month.

She was also happy to bounce back superbly after failing to get her act right in the Doha-leg earlier this week.

“I’m so happy to get the national record. I had a terrible time in Doha.

“My time in the 100m breaststroke was okay, but I wasn’t satisfied.

“For the 50m breaststroke, my hand slipped at the start and it cost me a place in the final,” said the Selangor-born swimmer, who was ranked 13th for both 50m (32.71) and 100m (1:11.84) breaststroke events in Doha.

Christina was the country’s previous top female breaststroke swimmer until she was displaced by Jinq En after she bagged the 100m breaststroke gold medal in her SEA Games debut in Singapore in June.

Christina, now based in the United States, tried for a few years to break Yi Ting’s national record set during the period of now-banned hi-tech swimsuit fabric.  

National swimming coach Paul Birmingham Thomas was delighted for Jinq En, who is getting nearer to the Olympic A qualifying time of 1:07.85.

Jinq En is already inside the B qualifying time of 1:10.22 and has until July next year to dip under the A mark to guarantee a place in the Rio Olympics.

“She’s been improving so much in training. The goal was to break 1:10,” said the coach.

“It’s good that there’s a little bit of funding to get them to compete at high-level meets like these.

“There’s nothing better than actual race.”

Welson Sim failed in his bid to advance to the men’s 400m freestyle final after placing 10th with 3:53.72 while Kevin Yeap was ranked 18th with 3:57.96.

Keith Lim was ranked 35th in the men’s 100m freestyle (51.72) and Ian James Barr 15th in men’s 100m backstroke (57.58).

The Star : Welson produces another record-breaking swim in Doha

By Lim Teik Huat

PETALING JAYA: It’s unheard of for a Malaysian swimmer to finish ahead of an Olympic champion.

But that’s what 18-year-old Welson Sim has done.

Malaysian swimmer Welson Sim celebrates on the podium after winning the 400m freestyle event at the Singapore SEA Games in June.

He beat not one, but two current stars of world swimming – Frenchman Yannick Agnel and South African Chad Le Clos – and then came within a whisker of grabbing the nation’s first-ever FINA World Cup swimming medal in Doha on Tuesday night.

Welson got kicking right from the start, clocking 1:49.93 to win Heat 4 of the men’s 200m freestyle at the Hamad Aquatic Centre. He made it to the final as the fifth fastest swimmer.

Reigning Olympic 200m freestyle champion Agnel (1:50.36) and Le Clos (1:50.54) came in second and third in the same heat – which wasn’t enough for them to make the top-eight final.

Le Clos, the reigning world champion for 100m and 200m butterfly, is best known for beating American Michael Phelps to take the 200m butterfly gold at the 2012 London Olympics.

Welson saved his best for last as he set a new national record of 1:48.26 to finish fourth in the final.

Britain’s James Guy, who is also the reigning world champion in the same event, posted 1:47.06 to complete a double in middle distance freestyle after winning the 400m event on Monday.

Serbia’s Velimir Stjepanovic, the 2013 European champion in the event, took silver in 1:47.56.

Welson was pipped to the bronze by American world junior record holder Maxime Rooney, who clocked 1:48.15.

Welson had, two months ago, equalled the national mark held by Daniel Bego since 2009 when he posted 1:49.22 in winning silver at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa.

This is the second national record Welson has set in as many days, having set the national mark twice on his way to finishing eighth in the 400m freestyle on Tuesday.

Based on his current performances, Welson looks capable of making the A qualifying time for next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Welson, who is well inside the B qualification time of 1:51.75 for the 200m freestyle, needs to dip below 1:47.97 to qualify in the A category. He has until July 3 next year to do so.

“I’m trying for the A qualifying time as that will guarantee me a place in the Olympics in Rio next year,” he said.

“It’s a good experience for me to swim in these kind of high-level meets. I still have time to qualify ... I hope I’ll continue to improve.”

National coach Paul Birmingham hailed Welson’s “outstanding efforts”.

“Welson knocked off some big names in his heat,” said Birmingham.

“It’s good for his confidence ... not everyone can say he has raced against and beaten an Olympic champion.”

Singapore SEA Games gold medallist Phee Jinq En clocked a creditable 32.71 to be ranked 11th overall in the women’s 50m breaststroke, while Kevin Yeap was also placed 11th after posting 15:52.70 in the 1,500m freestyle.