Steve Khiew broke 2 backstroke records in SportExcel Leg 2 in Melaka

The Second Leg of SportExcel Milo Junior Swimming Circuit 2017 adjourned at Pusat Akuatik Hang Jebat, Melaka from 20th to 21st May 2017.

Team IBSC lead by Coach Shazali & Coach Kamal, Mr Teo JY as Team Manager

IBSC sent a team of 98 swimmers only to Melaka as many have opted out of an out-station meet in the midst of exam season.

Our top swimmer, Steve Khiew (Group 2 boy) lifted up the atmosphere in the swimming centre on the first day of the race when he clinched gold in 50m backstroke with new meet record of 28.28 to break Lim Yin Chuen's 2015 record of 28.68. Steve continued to prove his strength in his favourite event when he swam to another gold in 100m backstroke, yet with another new splashing record of 1:00.67 to re-write Ian James Barr's 2009 record of 1:01.47.

He has contributed another gold in 100m freestyle on the first day with a new PB of 55.08. IBSC is proud of Steve's excellent performance.

Steve Khiew, was in high spirit after breaking both the 50m & 100m backstroke records

Another gold medal contributor was our Group 3 girl, Ng Zi Syuen, who bagged gold in 50m breaststroke and 100m backstroke and a silver in 50m freestyle. Zi Syuen topped the table in all the 3 events she signed up but could have gathered more medals for the club had she participated on day 1 as well. 

Meanwhile, the highest points contributor was Ashley Ting, also good in backstroke, who amassed 161 points with her collection of 3 silver. An awesome achievement brought about with constant training.

Steve was contended with 157 points as he suffered an unexpected DQ in 100m butterfly. Group 3 boy, Teo Zun Jet with 2 silver in his breaststroke events accumulated 131.5 points to be 3rd highest on the points collection table.

IBSC ended the competition with 5 gold, 8 silver and 5 bronze to accumulate total points of 1382.5 to rank second behind Pade Supershark which collected 1682.5 points.

Nevertheless, more importantly this competition has revealed some potential swimmers who improved tremendously in their individual PBs. We hope the finalists can continue their momentum and lift up the overall champion's trophy in Grand Final in August 2017 in Kuala Lumpur.

Special thanks to our Team Manager, Mr. Teo, Coaches, En Shazali and En. Kamarudin, Chaperones, Ms. Christina and Ms Lily's  whole-hearted commitment throughout the 2 days event are mostly appreciated too. The cooperation and great support from the parents also play a major role to make the outing a successful one.

We congratulate all IBSC winners and point earners above! Well done!

Full results can be downloaded here.


By CK Wong
Asst. Team Manager

* photos by team managers and parents

see more photos here

#SportExcel2017

7th Asian Open Water Swimming Championships 2017 - a whole new experience for Jun Bin

Wong Jun Bin, an IBSC member was put on a gruesome testing water condition, but his time it was not in the clear cooling swimming pool.

Jun Bin was selected to participate in the 10km swim event in the 7th Asian Open Water Swimming Championships 2017, which took place last weekend on 19-21 May 2017 at Putrajaya Lake. Alongside with him were other national swimmers, Welson Sim, Vernon Lee, Kevin Yeap and Angela Chieng, who tested themselves for potential selection to SEA Games Kuala Lumpur 2017, which is to be held at the same venue.

Jun Bin, (far left), with team MAS and fellow trainees, Welson Sim, Vernon Lee and Kevin Yeap

The AASF (Asian Amateur Swimming Federation) open water event  was organised by ASUM (Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia) for the first time in Malaysia and has attracted 57 participants from 11 countries.

Albeit a first timer in open water, Jun Bin swam an impressive time of 2:14.41.8 in the 10km swim and was the 7th swimmer to emerge from the lake even though his timing was considered out of ranking as the medal contenders and ranked swimmers were confined to 2 participants per country as per the rules.

His compatriots ahead of him were Kevin Yeap who won bronze with a time of 2:10.57.5,  followed by Welson Sim who did 2:11.27.7 in 4th position overall. The 10km event was won by Kazakhstan swimmer, Vitalay with his golden time of 2:05.26.6 and the silver went to Taipei swimmer, Cho Cheng Chi (2:09.07.9).

Due to our local weather condition, the open water in Putrajaya Lake is not an easy route to swim as temperature in the lake can soar to above 30 degree Celsius, with the unforgiving hot sun. Some experienced swimmers from other countries could not withstand the exhausting condition and needed to be "fished" out by officials.

Jun Bin happy posing here with Kevin 

Jun Bin was happy with his results and shared with IBSC his feelings.

"I didn't have any previous experience in such a long-distance race, so my aim was just to complete the swim. Being placed top 8 is really a bonus to me.

This open water race is totally different from what I usually do in a swimming pool.  Other than focusing on technique and working hard, you have to be aware of the direction you are swimming and also be wary of the competitors around you.

I struggled a little with some loss sense of direction initially because the water wasn't as clear as the pool water and I ended swimming side to side. But I think with more practice, I hope to get better in future."

IBSC is proud to share Jun Bin's achievement.

Meanwhile for the women's category,  Heidi Gan, MAS national distance swimmer who is based in Perth, won the women 10km swim with a time of 2:17.00.7. Heidi also won bronze on Friday's 5km event competed on 19 May 2017.

The second and third placings went to Kazakhstan and Thailand respectively.

We congratulate all winners.

   * photos courtesy of Ms Elaine Choo

Swimmers getting ready  to plunge in

Jun Bin can still manage a thumb up after his swim

Jun Bin being handed a bottle of water to quench his thirst

The MAS team resting under MILO tent and being advised by national coach Mr Paul Birmingham

Happy Coaching in conjunction with Teacher's Day

Team Briefing - 2017 SportExcel Leg2, Melaka

Dear IBSC participants,

Please be informed that a Team Briefing will be held to brief swimmers on the participation of SportsExcel Junior Swimming Circuit 2017, Leg 2 in Melaka as follows:

Date : 13 May, 2017 (Sat)

Time : 9:00 am

Venue : Cheras Pool

Travel itinerary and school leave letters will be distributed during the meeting. 

It is compulsory for swimmers who have registered for the  Leg 2 competition to attend the briefing, as we need to reconfirm meals arrangement.

Thanks for your co-operation.

Regards,

Teo Yong Jiew/CK Wong 

Team Managers 

Update
See briefing notes here.

Day 4 Results - 60th Malaysia Open Swimming Championships 2017

Final Results
Day 4
7 May, 2017

See Full Results here.

Happy Wesak Day - 10 May 2017

See training notice here.

The Star : Welson must work on mental strength to bag hat-trick of golds

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

MALACCA: Welson Sim has to improve on his mental toughness if he wants to be the first Malaysian swimmer to sweep the 200m, 400m and 1,500m freestyle golds at the SEA Games.

The 20-year-old eased off in the final few laps but still claimed victory in the men’s 1,500m freestyle of the Malaysia Open Swimming Championships at the Hang Jebat Aquatic Centre in Malacca yesterday.

The Rio Olympian clocked 15:43.50, not far off his personal best of 15:31.10 at the Singapore National Age-Group Championships in March this year.

India’s Sajan Prakash took the silver in 15:50.02 while Thai Kittiya Tanakrit secured the bronze in 16:00.88.

It was Welson’s fourth gold after finishing first in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle.

Welson is favoured to win the 200m and 400m freestyle but will have a battle on his hands in the gruelling 1,500m at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games from Aug 19-30.

Welson did not compete in the 1,500m freestyle in his SEA Games debut in Singapore two years ago but took gold in the 400m freestyle and bronze in the 200m freestyle.

Malaysian coach Paul Birmingham, however, is not expecting Welson to improve on his personal best in the 1,500m freestyle so soon.

“This is not the time to peak. We will work more on the 1,500m after we return home from the Mare Nostrum series (in Monaco, Spain and France) next month.

“Physically Welson has the fitness but it’s more of a mental thing to be good in the 200m, 400m and 1,500m. It’s really a painful commitment as the training set is different when you are swimming the 200m and 1,500m,” said Birmingham.

The Star :Welson sets new meet record in winning 200m freestyle

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

MALACCA: Welson Sim (pic) clocked a season-best time to break his own meet record in the men’s 200m freestyle at the Malaysia Open Swimming Championships.

The 20-year-old splashed to his third gold for Sarawak in 1:48.50 at the Hang Jebat Aquatic Centre yesterday.

Welson, who had earlier won the 100m and 400m freestyle, set the previous meet record of 1:48.64 in last year’s edition in Shah Alam.

Daniel Bego, also of Sarawak, took the silver in 1:53.61 ahead of Selangor’s Yeap Zheng Yang, who posted 1:53.82 for the bronze.

Welson’s time yesterday was better than the winning mark of 1:48.96 recorded by Vietnam’s Hoang Quy Phuoc at the 2015 Singapore SEA Games. Welson won the 400m freestyle but could only manage a bronze in the 200m freestyle in Singapore.

“I’m happy to set the fastest time in South-East Asia this year for the 200m freestyle. I pushed hard in the morning although it was just the heats and I qualified for the final with the fastest time (1:50.31),” said Welson.

“It was a good practice. I need to swim like this to get into the final at the SEA Games (in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 19-30).

“I am also happy for Daniel as he came back after injury to finish second and qualify for the SEA Games relay team,” said Welson, who holds the national 200m freestyle record of 1:47.67.

Tern Jian Han also grabbed his third gold for Johor, winning the men’s 50m butterfly in a personal best time of 24.96. He had earlier won the 50m and 100m backstroke.


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2017/05/07/welson-sets-new-meet-record-in-winning-200m-freestyle/#eutpBvUUQiweMA27.99

Steve Khiew proved that age is not a barrier in Malaysia Open 2017

IBSC swimmer, Steve Khiew proved that age is no barrier to his achievement as  he swum to gold in 200m backstroke at the 60th Malaysia Open Swimming Championships 2017 on the 3rd day of the meet in Melaka yesterday

Steve,14,  earlier qualified in the preliminary heats in the morning when he came second at 2:14.48 behind Indonesian swimmer who clocked 2:12.37. In the afternoon finals, Steve leaped to the opportunity to outshine the rest when he beat other seniors to touch home first at 2:08.38. Behind him was Tern Jian Han, who had earlier won gold in the immediate preceding event of 50m butterfly, who settled for silver at 2:14.24.

Steve's KL compatriot, Brandy Chew, who managed to steal a lane upon the withdrawal of a qualifier, sprung to a surprise finish when he took bronze at 2:14.81.  

From left, BRandy Chew, Steve Khiew and Tern Jian Han

Earlier, Keith Lim, also managed a bronze in the 50m butterfly event, when he recorded a time of 25.39 behind Tern Jian Han (24.96) who won gold and Chan Jie (25.12) who won silver.

Keith Lim, won bronze in 50m butterfly

Team Kuala Lumpur

Congratulations to all the medalists in Malaysia Open 2017. The meet will end today on, 7 May 2017.

The NST : Welson Sim washes away competition at M'sia Open in Melaka

By AJITPAL SINGH - May 6, 2017 @ 9:02pm

Welson Sim turned in a sizzling performance to win the men's 200m freestyle gold medal in the Malaysia Open Swimming Championships at the Hang Jebat Aquatic Centre here. Pix by NSTP/ RASUL AZLI SAMAD

MELAKA: Welson Sim turned in a sizzling performance to win the men's 200m freestyle gold medal in the Malaysia Open Swimming Championships at the Hang Jebat Aquatic Centre here, on Saturday.

The Olympian recorded 1:48.50 to erase his own meet record by 0.14 seconds, set last year in Kuala Lumpur.

"I am quite happy with my form today. It is my season best, and also the fastest timing so far in this region.

"It is a good sign for me ahead of the KL Sea Games (on Aug 19-30)," said Welson, who also won the 100m and 400m freestyle events in the opening days of the meet.

Welson, who made his Olympic debut in Rio last year, will compete in the 1,500m freestyle event tomorrow.

Daniel Bego made the cut for the 4x100m freestyle Sea Games team by finishing second to Welson, with a time of 1:53.61.

Results (All finals)

MEN’s

50m butterfly:

1 - Tern Jian Han (Joh) 24.96,

2 - Chan Jie (Sel) 25.12,

3 - Keith Lim (KL) 25.39.

200m freestyle:

1 - Welson Sim (Sar) 1:48.50 meet rec,

2 - Daniel Bego (Sar) 1:53.61,

3 - Yeap Zheng Yang (Sel) 1:53.82.

200m individual medley:

1 - Jordan Yip (Sel) 2:07.87,

2 - Tia'a Faang Der (Joh) 2:09.08, 3 - Shaun Arvin (Ter) 2:10.14.

200m backstroke:

1 - Steve Khiew (KL) 2:08.38,

2 - Tern Jian Han (Joh) 2:14.24,

3 - Brandy Chew (KL) 2:14.81.

4x100m freestyle:

1 - Selangor 3:29.29,

2 - Thailand 3:31.35,

3 - Sarawak 3:32.73.

WOMEN's

50m butterfly:

1 - Yu Sze Hang (Hkg) 27.63,

2 - Jenjira Srisa-Ard (Tha) 27.67,

3 - Elynn Tan Yilin (Pen) 29.13.

200m freestyle:

1 - Natthanan Junkrajang (Tha) 2:03.45,

2 - Ho Nam Wai (Hkg) 2:03.65,

3 - Asmalia Filzati Redzuan (Sel) 2:08.42.

200m individual medley:

1 - Pawapotako Phiangkhwan (Tha) 2:22.40,

2 - Tan Chi Yan (Mac) 2:28.61,

3 - Angelina Chan (Sel) 2:28.91.

200m backstroke:

1 - Claudia Lau (Hkg) 2:14.87,

2 - Araya Wongvat (Tha) 2:22.87,

3 - Rosalind Pang (Sel) 2:26.06.

4x100m freestyle:

1 - Hong Kong 3:52.71 meet rec,

2 - Thailand 3:59.50,

3 - Selangor 4:01.63.

Day 3 Results - 60th Malaysia Open Swimming Championships 2017

Final Results
Day 3 - 5 May, 2017
Hang Jebat Aquatic Stadium, Melaka

See full results here.

The Star : Jian Han bags a double with win in 100m backstroke

MALACCA: Malaysia have yet to produce a top backstroke swimmer since Lim Keng Liat quit after the 2006 Asian Games in Doha.

But Malaysia may have finally found an able replacement in Tern Jian Han.

The 22-year-old splashed to his second gold medal in the Malaysia Open Swimming Championships at the Hang Jebat Aquatic Centre in Malacca yesterday.

Johor-born Jian Han posted a personal best of 56.95 in the men’s 100m backstroke final to achieve the double after coming out tops in the 50m backstroke on Thursday.

Thailand’s Kasipat Chograthin took silver in the men’s 100m backstroke final in 58.43 while Indonesia’s Rai Wratsangka Adityastha got the bronze in 59.60.

Jian Han, who has been in the national team since 2011, was delighted to continue with his good form.

He had also chalked up a personal best of 26.12 in the 50m backstroke. His time is not too far off Keng Liat’s national mark of 25.67 set in winning silver at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002.

“I’m happy with my time in the 100m backstroke ... this is the first time I’ve gone under 57 seconds.

“I did 58.20 in the Singapore national age-group in March, so I am swimming faster,” said Jian Han, who will be making his fourth SEA Games appearance in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 19-30.

With tougher rivals expected at the SEA Games, the Universiti Malaya second-year Sports Science student will have his work cut out for him.

Singapore’s Quah Zheng Wen set a new SEA Games record in winning the event in his backyard in 54.51 two years ago.

“I hope to win my first SEA Games individual medal. Hopefully, I can improve on my endurance as I tend to fade away in the last 25m,” said Jian Han, who took bronze as part of the 4x100m medley quartet in the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar.


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2017/05/06/jian-han-bags-a-double-with-win-in-100m-backstroke/#7qeOsMYyJEq2eUzS.99

Day 2 Results - 60th Malaysia Open Swimming Championships 2017

Final Results
Day 2 - 5 May, 2017
Hang Jebat Aquatic Stadium, Melaka

See Full Results here.

Men 200mx4 freestyle relay won by Team Thailand, followed by Team Kuala Lumpur in second place and Team Selangor in third place.

Team KL, from left, Joshi Jundi, Steve Khiew, Chan Jun Jian and Keith Lim