The Star : Malaysian relay quartet set new national record

Quick reflexes: Welson Sim in action during the men’s 4x100m freestyle at the Gelora Bung Karno Aquatic Centre yesterday.

THIS is for you, coach.

Welson Sim anchored the Malaysian relay quartet to a new national record in the men’s 4x100m freestyle event at the Gelora Bung Karno Aquatic Centre last night as a gift for outgoing national coach Paul Birmingham.

The quartet of Chan Jie, Foong Wei Tze, Keith Lim and Welson powered their way to finish sixth place in a time of 3:21.06 in the final.

Chan Jie, Keith, Lim Ching Hwang and Welson set the previous national mark of 3:21.79 at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games last year.

“We wanted to do something for our coach (Paul Birmingham).

“I was confident we can bring down the national record tonight as we were just one second off the mark.

“I am happy to achieve something here,” said Welson, who is from Sarawak.

It was the second national record for Welson.

He clocked 8:12.46 to improve on his personal best of 8:12.74 in the 800m freestyle – a non-Olympic event – on Monday.

Rio Olympic swimmer Phee Jinq En will take to the lanes to aim to qualify for the women’s 50m breaststroke final today.


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2018/08/23/malaysian-relay-quartet-set-new-national-record/#dzDYUrmvLEjcYztb.99

The Star : Malaysian 4x100m quartet breaks national record at Asian meet

BY TAN MING WAI

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia ended their Asian Swimming Championships campaign in Japan on a positive note as Welson Sim anchored a youthful side to a new national men’s 4x100m freestyle record and a creditable fourth place.

Welson combined with Keith Lim, Yeap Zheng Yang and Foong Wei Tze to clock 3:24.93 to erase the previous mark of 3:25.55 set by Welson, Daniel Bego, Lim Ching Hwang, Alwyn Tan that won silver at last year’s Singapore SEA Games.

China’s Lin Yongqing, He Jianbin, Liu Zhaochen and Yu Hexin slashed the meet record by four seconds to win in 3:16.37. The previous mark was 3:20.28. Japan were second 3:17.25 while South Korea settled for the bronze in 3:18.80.

Welson and Co’s record feat came as no surprise as they clocked 3:26.24 for the third overall fastest time in the heat.

It was the third national record set in the four-day competition. On Thursday, Wong Fu Kang (28.59 in the men’s 50m breaststroke) and Caroline Chan (29.55 in the women’s 50m backstroke) were the record breakers.

Malaysia ended the championships with one silver and one bronze from the divers. Ooi Tze Liang-Chew Yi Wei were the silver medallists in the men’s 3m springboard synchro while Loh Zhiayi-Kimberly Bong were third in the women’s 10m platform synchro.