The NST : Swimmer Keith Lim equals his personal best in Gold Coast

GOLD COAST: Malaysia’s Keith Lim equalled his personal best in the Commonwealth Games men's 50m freestyle swimming on Monday, but it was not enough to qualify for the semi-finals at the Optus Aquatic Centre.

Keith won heat five by clocking 23.33s. However, he only finished 22nd overall, 0.92 second short of qualifying for the top-16 semi-finals.

"I equalled my personal best today... satisfied with the time as I have not swum this fast since the Sea Games last year. I could have done better or worse, so I am not complaining," said Keith.

"However, I wasn't satisfied with my 100m freestyle performance on Sunday. I need to work on my speed to improve my time."

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games - Men's 50m Freestyle - Heats - Optus Aquatic Centre - Gold Coast, Australia - April 9, 2018. Keith Lim Kit Sern (2nd R) of Malaysia prepares for the event alongside fellow competitors. — REUTERS pic

Compatriot Caroline Chan clocked 30.10s, 0.50 seconds off her national record set at the 2016 Asian Championships in Japan, in the women's 50m backstroke.

She finished 18th overall.

"I had hoped to break my national record here. I need to learn how to control my nerves and swim better," said Caroline.

Both Keith and Caroline will compete in next month's Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur which is a qualifier for the Indonesia Asian Games later this year.

The swimmers ended their campaigns commendably though they did not win medals.

Tern Jian Han and Welson Sim were the stars by reaching the finals of the 50m backstroke and 400m freestyle events.

The Star : Jian Han breaks 16-year national record to reach final in Gold Coast

GOLD COAST: Tern Jian Han made yet another big splash as he smashed Alex Lim Keng Liat's 16-year national record in the 50m backstroke event.

The 22-year-old clocked a time of 25.60 en route to finishing sixth in the semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games.

The time was good enough to erase Alex's time of 25.67, which was recorded during the 2002 Manchester Games.

The superb effort also earned Jian Han a place in the final as he qualified as the fifth fastest swimmer.

He is the second Malaysian to make the final at this Games.

Welson Sim made the final in the 400m freestyle on Thursday but only finished seventh.


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2018/04/07/jian-han-breaks-16-year-national-record-to-make-final/#F2jPCWaPGVDmeu7g.99

The Star : Welson reaches 400m final then fails to even better his national record

Gutted: Welson Sim competing in the men’s 400m freestyle final at the Optus Aquatic Centre yesterday. He finished seventh with a time of 3:53.36.

IT turned out to be a bittersweet finish for Welson Sim in the men’s 400m freestyle event.

The 21-year-old splashed his way to a major breakthrough when he became Malaysia’s first swimmer in 12 years to reach the final of the Commonwealth Games.

He qualified for the final eighth fastest with a time of 3:51.78 in the morning session at the Optus Aquatic Centre yesterday.

But that was as good as it got for the Sarawakian as he fell short in the final.

Olympic champion Mack Horton won with a time of 3:43.36, ending Australia’s 12-year wait to regain the gold.

Compatriot Jack McLoughlin took silver with 3:45.21 while Eng­land’s James Guy settled for a second successive bronze with 3:45.32.

The result yesterday showed that Welson still has a long way to go despite the fact that he has beaten Horton once – at the Mare Nostrum Tour in Monte Carlo last year where he set the national record of 3:49.48.

And Welson wasn’t pleased with his showing in the final.

“I made the final and finished seventh out of eight swimmers but my time was very bad,” admitted Welson.

“I really wasn’t expecting such a bad time. I felt that I did everything right prior to the start of the race.

“My warm-up was good and I felt that my pace was faster than the morning session ... I just can’t explain it.

“Maybe the atmosphere of being in the final overwhelmed me but that’s not an excuse.

“It’s still a big achievement making the final but I can’t be happy because I didn’t meet my target at all. We always train to improve and I was expecting to at least rewrite the national record,” added Welson, who will focus on the 200m freestyle next.


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2018/04/06/simply-heartbreaking-welson-reaches-400m-final-then-fails-to-even-better-his-national-record/#53IkZChTQ31QMObC.99

The Star : Aspiring pool stars rewrite 12 individual meet records

By Lim Teik Huat


PETALING JAYA: The emergence of new stars – Khiew Hoe Yean (pic), Hii Puong Wei, Loo Yie Bing and Nessa Yip – in the National Schools (MSSM) swimming championships bodes well for the future of the sport in the country.

Hoe Yean and Puong Wei stole the show by emerging as best performers in the boys’ 16-18 and 13-15 age-group categories in the four-day event, which ended in Melaka yesterday.

The 16-year-old Hoe Yean won the most number of golds – seven in total – when he came out tops in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle races, 200m individual medley and the 50m, 100m, 200m backstroke events for Kuala Lumpur.

Hoe Yean set two meet records by posting 2:07.85 to erase a seven-year mark of 2:10.88 held by Ian James Barr in the 200m backstroke and 2:10.16 in the 200m individual medley to better the previous record of 2:11.33 set by Yeap Zheng Yang in 2015.

The 14-year-old Puong Wei also underlined his talent by raking in six golds for Sarawak in the boys’ 13-15 age-group by winning the 100m and 200m freestyle, the 100m and 200m backstroke, and the 200m individual medley and 200m breaststroke.

Puong Wei broke Sebastian Soon’s previous meet record of 2:14.73 set two years ago by winning the 200m individual medley event in 2:12.90.

Sabahan Yie Bing also showed her potential by erasing a 15-year-old record en route to taking the best swimmer award with a total of four gold medals in the girls’ 7-12 age-group.

The 10-year-old shattered the time of 28.67 set by former Beijing Olympian Leung Chii Lin by winning the 50m freestyle race in 28.48.

Selangor’s Nessa Yip also broke a long-standing record in the girls’ 13-15 age group when the 14-year-old clocked 31.60 to erase the previous meet record of 31.67 held by former national swimmer Chui Lai Kwan of Sabah since 2005 in the 50m backstroke.

Twelve individual meet records were set and Selangor retained the overall title with a 27-25-19 finish. Kuala Lumpur came in second with 24-28-21, followed by Sarawak with 10-10-20.


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2018/03/25/aspiring-pool-stars-rewrite-12-individual-meet-records/#6Acj5l2f8T8xHvIQ.99

The Star : Welson and Co break national short course records in Beijing

PETALING JAYA: Welson Sim (pic) enjoyed the satisfaction of breaking Daniel Bego’s short course (25m) national records for both the men’s 200m and 400m freestyle at the FINA Swimming World Cup meet in Beijing, China.

The 20-year-old KL SEA Games double gold medallist just missed out on making the 400m freestyle final finishing ninth in the preliminaries in 3:48.93 yesterday.

Australian Jacob Ross Hansford got the last ticket for the top-eight final after clocking 3:48.87.

However, Welson’s time bettered Daniel’s previous national mark of 3:50.87 set at the World Cup meet in Singapore in 2013.


He was ranked 17th in the 200m freestyle after clocking 1:48.25 on Friday to improve on Daniel’s previous national mark of 1:49.21 set at the World Cup meet in Singapore in 2013.

“I already hold the long course (50m) national records for 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle, so I’m happy to have the records for the short course events as well.

“It’s a good experience racing in the short course as the turns and pacing are different,” said Welson.

Keith Lim also set a new short course national record in men’s 50m freestyle.

He clocked 22.55 for 21st overall placing to improve on the previous national mark of 23.15 held by Lim Ching Hwang since 2013.

Tern Jian Han set a new national record of 53.70 en route to finishing 14th in the men’s 100m butterfly, erasing Tan Gin Yu’s previous mark of 57.49 set in 2013.

Chan Jie also dipped under Gin Yu’s national mark by posting 54.43 to finish 16th in the preliminaries.

Jian Han was ranked 13th in the men’s 50m backstroke (24.71) and 19th in the 200m backstroke distance (2:02.32).

Caroline Chan was 24th in the women’s 50m (29.18) and 100m (1:04.91) backstroke events.


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2017/11/12/welson-and-co-break-national-short-course-records-in-beijing/#crxLLW0CFPcuygjG.99

The Star : Jeffrey rooting for Welson to break his 1,500m freestyle national record at the KL Games

BY LIM TEIK HUAT


KUALA LUMPUR: There will be one special guest cheering on Malaysian swimmer Welson Sim as he bid for glory at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games next month.

And it’s none other than the Malaysia’s former king of long distance swimming Jeffrey Ong (pic).

The six-foot tall Jeffrey, a multiple SEA Games gold medallist himself, will be rooting for the 20-year-old Welson to break his (Jeffrey’s) long-standing men’s 1,500m freestyle national record when the swimming competition is held at the National Aquatics Centre in Bukit Jalil from Aug 21-26.

Penang-born Jeffrey clocked 15:23.61 when he earned a silver in the 1,500m freestyle at the World Games in Sheffield, United Kingdom in 1991. And the record still stands.

“It’s been too long. Twenty-six years if I’m not mistaken. I met Welson recently and he is a talented swimmer.

“Age is on his side. I hope he can break my national record and do well at the SEA Games next month. What better way to do that in front of the home crowd, right?.

“I will be there to see him swim and I know the atmosphere will be great,” said Jeffrey, 45.

Welson is the only swimmer with a fighting chance of beating Jeffrey’s national record in the 1,500m freestyle.

The Sarawakian, who already holds the 200m and 400m freestyle national records, clocked a personal best of 15:31.10 in 1,500m freestyle at the Singapore national age-group meet in March.

In his heyday, Jeffrey also ruled the middle and long distance swimming events at the Asian stage.

He was a double gold medallist in the 400m and 1,500m freestyle events in four straight SEA Games from Bangkok 1987 to Singapore 1993.

He also clinched a silver in men’s 200m freestyle in his final SEA Games appearance in Singapore.

Jeffrey also became the first Malaysian male swimmer to make the podium at the Asian Games when he bagged silver in the 1,500m freestyle in Beijing 1990.

He also represented the country at two Olympic Games – in Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992.

“Those were exciting days as a swimmer. I was also around Welson’s age when I set the national record,” recalled Jeffrey.

“Nowadays Asian swimmers need to go below 15 minutes or you can forget about making the finals at the world level.

“In my days, that wasn’t the case. In fact, I was the Asian record holder for three years with that time.”

Jeffrey is now involved in a different kind of sport. He is the regional commercial director for PGA Tour.

“I don’t play golf but I have had to learn now that I am in the industry. It’s kind of like a baby learning to swim,” he said in jest.


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2017/07/06/jeffrey-rooting-for-welson-to-break-his-1500m-freestyle-national-record-at-the-kl-games/#YfF5QCkWJlHDr4g4.99

The Star : Welson finishes fifth in 200m freestyle in Monte Carlo

BY LIM TEIK HUAT


PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s top swimmer Welson Sim finished a creditable fifth in the men’s 200m freestyle final in the Mare Nostrum Tour in Monte Carlo.

The 20-year-old Welson touched the wall in 1:49.61 to tie with Stanley Matthew of New Zealand for fifth in a world class field on Sunday.

Britain’s Guy James, the reigning world champion, won the race in 1:47.27 ahead of South African Brown Devon Myles (1:48.31).

Australian Mack Horton, the Rio Olympic champion in the 400m freestyle, took the last spot on the podium in 1:48.56.

Kuala Lumpur SEA Games-bound Welson made the nation proud when he claimed gold in the 400m freestyle on Saturday.

The Rio Olympian overtook Horton in the last 100m to set a new national record of 3:49.48 and claim his first ever win in the Mare Nostrum Tour.

Fellow Olympian Phee Jinq En’s bid for a medal ended when she finished eighth in the women’s 50m breaststroke final with a time of 33.09.

Chan Jie and Tern Jian Han finished fifth (55.21) and (57.02) in the men’s 100m butterfly B final.

Wong Fu Kang clocked 1:05.01 for seventh place in the men’s 100m breaststroke B final while Caroline Chan clocked 1:07.31 to be placed fourth in the women’s 100m backstroke B final.

The Malaysians will now proceed to the other legs in Barcelona, Spain (June 13-14), and Canet, France (June 17-18).


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2017/06/13/welson-finishes-fifth-in-200m-freestyle-in-monte-carlo/#UmAb1b7abBlI3wfU.99

The NST : M'sia's Welson Sim beats Olympic champion to win gold in Monaco

By AJITPAL SINGH - June 11, 2017 @ 10:58am

KUALA LUMPUR: Swimmer Welson Sim rewrote his national record in the men's 400m freestyle event for Malaysia's second-ever title in the Mare Nostrum tour in Monaco on Sunday.

The 20-year-old did it in style by edging reigning Olympic champion Mack Horton of Australia for the gold medal.

Welson erased his previous record of 3:50.33 set in March last year by clocking 3:49.48 for the gold medal.

Horton posted 3:50.13 for the silver while China's Qiu Ziao took third on 3:51.18.

Phee Jinq En won Malaysia's first ever gold in the tour achieved in the women's 50m breaststroke also in Monaco last year.

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

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.

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

The Star : Close call for Welson

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

Well done: Welson Sim in action during the men’s 100m freestyle event of the Malaysia Open Swimming Championships at the Hang Jebat Aquatics Centre in Malacca yesterday. — A MALEX YAHAYA/The Star

MALACCA: Welson Sim clawed his way back from the jaws of defeat to take his second gold in the men’s 100m freestyle in the Malaysia Open Swimming Championships at the Hang Jebat Aquatic Centre.

The Rio Olympic swimmer, representing Sarawak, found himself trailing Kuala Lumpur’s Keith Lim at the half-way stage of the sprint final yesterday.

To his credit, Welson hauled himself back to touch home first in 50.99, with Keith coming in second in 51.24.

Selangor’s Chan Jie, who won the 100m butterfly gold medal on Thursday, was third in 51.33.

Welson, who won the 400m freestyle on Thursday, was pleased to come out tops in an event that he doesn’t really focus on.

He qualified fastest for the final after clocking 50.72 in the morning heats.

“It was a close fight between the three of us (the medallists). We train together and are good friends, so I’m happy that I held on in the last 25m.

“A sub-51 seconds is okay for me. I don’t focus so much on the 100m freestyle but it helps in my training for the 200m distance,” said Welson.

Johor’s Wong Fu Kang, who is recovering from a viral infection, had to settle for bronze in the men’s 200m breaststroke final with 2:19.89.

Macau’s Chao Hou Man took gold in 2:17.16, ahead of Thailand’s Prasobcha Kaewrungrueang (2:19.70).

Tia’a Faang Der was the third local swimmer to come out tops in the national Open after coming from behind to win the men’s 400m individual medley in 4:33.79.

Terengganu’s Shaun Arvin was second in 4:35.58 and Kuala Lumpur’s Sebastian Soon third in 4:36.11.


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2017/05/06/close-call-for-welson/#3oDRPXhCLeUqwbP7.99

The NST : Jian Han clocks personal best in Malaysia Open

By AJITPAL SINGH - May 5, 2017 @ 10:00pm

MELAKA: Tern Jian Han posted a personal best to win the men's 100 backstroke gold medal in the Malaysia Open Swimming Championships at Hang Jebat Aquatics Centre on Friday.

The 22-year-old posted 56.95 for his second title in the meet following his success in the 50m discipline on Thursday.

"I am delighted to record a personal best today. The goal this year is the Sea Games in August. However, I want to make my presence felt in my fourth outing," said Jian Han.

Olympian Welson won the 100m freestyle event by clocking 50.99 for his second gold medal in the competition.

“The 100m is not an event that I am focusing on. I am just using it to improve in the 200m discipline," said Welson.

Results

Men's 400m IM: 1 Tiaa Faang Der (Joh) 4:33.79, 2 Arvin Shaun (Ter) 4:35.58, 3 Sebastian Soon (KL) 4:36.11;

200m breaststroke: 1 Chao Man Hou (Mac) 2:17.16, 2 Kaewrungrueang Prasobcha (Tha) 2:19.70, 3 Wong Fu Kang (Joh) 2:19.89;

100m freestyle: 1 Welson Sim (Sar) 50.99, 2 Keith Lim (KL) 51.24, 3 Chan Jie (Sel) 51.33;

100m backstroke: 1 Tern Jian Hern (Joh) 56.95, 2 Thailand 58.43, 3 Indonesia 59.60;

4x200m freestyle relay: 1 Thailand 7:53.43, 2 Kuala Lumpur 7:57.59, 3 Selangor 8:00.31.

Women's 400m IM: 1 Pawapotako Phiangkhwan (Tha) 5:01.54, 2 Ong Yong Qi (Joh) 5:11.96, 3 Angelina Chan (Sel) 5:14.23;

200m breaststroke: 1 Pawapotako Phiangkhwan (Tha) 2:34.43, 2 Salubluek Chavannooch (Tha) 2:35.41, 3 Angelina Chan (Sel) 2:43.16;

100m freestyle: 1 Yu Hang Sze (Hkg) 57.13, 2 Natthanan Junkrajang (Tha) 57.41, 3 Yi Jia Koh (Sel) 58.85;

100m backstroke: 1 Claudia Lau (Hkg) 1:03.03, 2 Wongvat Araya (Tha) 1:05.17, 3 Caroline Chan (Sel) 1:06.23;

4x200m freestyle relay: 1 Hong Kong 8:36.82, 2 Thailand 8:45.38, 3 Selangor 9:00.40.

The Star : Swimmer Fu Kang gets a reality check after losing to Thai veteran

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Wong Fu Kang has received a timely wake-up call ahead of the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games this August.

The 18-year-old failed to defend his men’s 100m breaststroke title after losing to Thailand’s Radomyos Matjiur, who is 10 years older than him, in his pet event at the Malaysia Open Swimming Championships in Malacca yesterday.

Fu Kang clocked 1:03.90 to settle for silver while the Thai posted 1:03.40. Hong Kong’s Kwok Ka Fai took bronze in 1:05.02.

Fu Kang, representing Johor, won gold in the event in his SEA Games debut in Singapore two years ago with a new national record of 1:02.46.

Wong Fu Kang was not too disappointed despite finishing second to Thailand’s Radomyos Matjiur in the men’s 100m breaststroke final. Radomyos is 10 years older than the 18-year-old Fu Kang. — A. MALEX YAHAYA

Radomyor, who won gold in the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games, has shown that he has what it takes to spoil Fu Kang’s party in his own backyard come August.


What is worrying is that Radomyos has yet to peak, with his best effort being the 1:02.36 he clocked at the Rio Olympics last August.

Fu Kang certainly has his work cut out for him, though he wasn’t too disappointed with the silver.

“The Malaysia Open is a training competition for me. My rivals are swimming well now, but the SEA Games are still three months away.

“I want to peak at the right time as my target is to win the gold for Malaysia in my home SEA Games,” said Fu Kang, who clocked 1:02.73 to win the A final of the 15 and above age group at the Singapore national age-group championships in March.

Rio Olympic swimmer Welson Sim bagged the men’s 400m freestyle gold medal for Sarawak in 3:55.34 ahead of national team-mate Yeap Zheng Yang.

Selangor’s Zheng Yang clocked 4:00.69. India’s Prakash Sajan clocked 4:01.05 for the bronze.

Tern Jian Han was the other Malaysian individual winner on the opening day of the meet.

The Johor-born swimmer posted a personal best time of 26.12 in coming out tops in the men’s 50m backstroke.

Thailand’s Kasipat Chograthin (26.23) took silver and Selangor’s Jordan Yip (26.96) the bronze.


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2017/05/05/swimmer-fu-kang-gets-a-reality-check-after-losing-to-thai-veteran/#lsI8BGsurCAHOkUq.99

The Star : SEA Games the priority

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

Sealed: National swimmer Welson Sim has already qualified for the KL SEA Games, where he will compete in the men’s 100m, 200m, 400m and 1,500m freestyle events

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PETALING JAYA: National coach Paul Birmingham has decided to give the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games priority over the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

He wants his swimmers to skip the world meet, to be held from July 23-30, as it is too close to the SEA Games, to be held from Aug 19-30.

“There will be time spent on travelling back from the world meet and I’m afraid our swimmers will not have enough time to recover and condition themselves for the SEA Games challenge,” he said.

“It’s our home SEA Games and we will be up against some pretty strong opposition.

“I know there are expectations for everyone to do his or her personal bests, so we want to prepare well.

“Besides, it will be hard for the swimmers to come out of the world championship heats ... so we might as well not go.

“Instead, I will take some of the swimmers to the Mare Nostrum series next month.”

The Mare Nostrum series comprises three legs – Monaco (June 10-11), Barcelona (June 13-14) and Canet En Roussillon, France (June 17-18).

The Malaysia Open Swimming Championships, starting in Malacca today, will now serve as the SEA Games qualifying meet for the swimmers.

Expect national swimmers like Wong Fu Kang, Keith Lim, Tern Jian Han, Yeap Zeng Yang, Nadia Adrianna Redza and Caroline Chan to qualify on merit.

Welson Sim is the exception as he has qualified for the KL Games through the Rio Olympics last year.

“Welson will swim in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 1,500m freestyle events. I hope to see a new personal best from him in the 1,500m freestyle.

“Phee Jinq En, who also swam at the Rio Olympics, will not be back in time for the Malaysia Open, but she will join us for the Mare Nostrum series,” said Birmingham.

A total of 140 swimmers from six countries will compete in the four-day Malaysia Open.


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/other-sport/2017/05/04/sea-games-the-priority/#LeJB4mTJzzRFP0xR.99

The NST : M'sia's national 4x100m relay record smashed at Singapore Championships

By AJITPAL SINGH - March 20, 2017 @ 9:43am

KUALA LUMPUR: Tern Jian Han, Wong Fu Kang, Chan Jie and Keith Lim smashed the country's long-standing national record in the men's 4x100m medley relay for a silver medal at the Singapore national age-group championships on Sunday.

The quartet clocked 3:45.28 to surpass the previous record of 3:45.61 set by Lim Keng Liat, Elvin Chia, Anthony Ang and Allen Ong in the 1999 Sea Games in Brunei.

Welson Sim also made an impact on the final day of the meet by winning the 1,500m freestyle final.

The 20-year-old clocked 15:31.10 for his third title after wins in the 200m and 400m events.

Indonesian Perwira Aflah Fadlan and Singaporean Pang Sheng settled for silver (15:34.50) and bronze (16:03.97) respectively.

It was a new personal best effort for Welson in the event.

Tern Jian Han, Wong Fu Kang, Chan Jie and Keith Lim smashed the country's long-standing national record in the men's 4x100m medley relay for a silver medal at the Singapore national age-group championships on Sunday. (File pix)

The Star : Welson bags two golds to underline SEA Games ambition

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Welson Sim sent a warning to his rivals that he means business in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games with a double golden splash at the Singapore National Age-Group Swimming Championships.

The 19-year-old swam a powerful last lap to win the 400m freestyle gold in 3:52.89 in the boys’ 18 and over category at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on Saturday.

Welson’s time was inside his own SEA Games record of 3:53.97 set at the same venue in 2015.

Indonesian Perwira Aflah Fadlan grabbed the silver in 3:55.88 ahead of Singapore’s Pang Sheng Jun who clocked 3:55.91.

It was the second gold for Welson. Earlier on Wednesday, he emerged triumphant after a hard-fought 200m freestyle win in the 18 and over class.

Making great strides: Welson Sim lowered his own 400m SEA Games record by more than a second at the Singapore National Age-Group Swimming Championships to win gold.

Welson touched home in 1:49.27, just ahead of Singaporean rival Yeo Kai Quan who settled for the silver in 1:49.37. Sheng Jun clocked 1:51.33 to secure the bronze, also for Singapore.

Welson, who made his Olympic debut under Category A in Rio de Janeiro last year, was a bronze medallist in the 200m freestyle at the 2015 SEA Games and clearly indicated he is going for the gold in KL in August.

“Welson posted decent timings. We’re still in training mode at this time of the year,” said national coach Paul Birmingham.

Welson was the only Malaysian gold medallist after four days of competition.

Caroline Chan bagged silver in the girls’ 18 and over 50m backstroke

The best from South-East Asia as well as swimmers from Japan are competing in the championships.

Caroline Chan, competing in the girls’ 18 and over, contributed a silver for Malaysia when she clocked 29.71 in the 50m backstroke.

Wong Fu Kang was the other silver medallist for Malaysia. He posted his season’s best time of 1:02.73 in the boys’ 18 and over 100m breaststroke final.

Malaysia also bagged two bronzes through Tern Jian Han in the boys’ 18 and over 50m backstroke (26.71) and Chan Jie in the boys’ 18 and over 100m butterfly (54.29).


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2017/03/20/show-of-intent/#SdIFRuFjQDEGZkIy.99

The NST : Rosalind Pang sinks rivals to win 3 golds at MSSM swimming meet

By AJITPAL SINGH - March 19, 2017 @ 6:11pm

MALACCA: Rosalind Pang won three of nine gold medals for Selangor on the opening day of the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) swimming meet at the Hang Jebat Aquatics Centre here today.

The 16-year-old edged Johor's Ong Yong Qi for the girls' 800m freestyle open gold by clocking 9:44.04.

Yong Qi took second in 9:45.86, followed by Kuala Lumpur's Geogene Wee (9:54.95).

Rosalind then clinched the under-18 100m backstroke event in 1:08.39, ahead of two Kuala Lumpur swimmers – Karla Lim (1:09.74) and Nurlatifa Zahra (1:12.28).

The reigning Malaysia Games champion completed the day with a third gold in the 200m freestyle event, with 2:14.85.

Penang's Elynn Tan finished second in 2:16.10, while Sabah's Lo Meng Sum won the bronze with 2:16.69


Results:

Boys' 200m freestyle

Under-12: 1 Whisky Chew (Sel) 2:18.70; 2 Yap Yong Jie (KL) 2:21.26; 3 Arniesh Chia (Sel) 2:21.51.

Under-15: 1 Khiew Hoe Yean (KL) 2:01.11; 2 Hii Puong Wei (Sar) 2:04.28; 3 Muhammad Naqeb (Sar) 2:04.34.

Under-18: 1 Tan Tsien Ee (Sel) 1:59.12; 2 Terence Ng (Sel) 2:00.15; 3 Wong Venn Chieh (Sab) 2:00.37.

100m backstroke

Under-12: 1 Yap Yong Jie (KL) 1:12.09; 2 Samuel Ng (Sab) 1:13.11; 3 Whisky Chew (Sel) 1:14.54.

Under-15: 1 Khiew Hoe Yean (KL) 1:01.82; 2 Hii Puong Wei (Sar) 1:03.74; 3 Nicholas Gan (Joh) 1:04.98.

Under-18: 1 Sebastian Soon (Sel) 1:02.31; 2 Brandy Chew (Sel) 1:02.37; 3 Zachary Adam Tan (Sar) 1:02.48.

50m butterfly

Under-12: 1 Tong Yu Jing (Pen) 31.69; 2 Arniesh Chai (Sel) 31.82; 3 Samuel Ng (Sab) 32.54.

Under-15: 1 Low Zheng Yong (Mel) 27.04; 2 Nicholas Gan (Joh) 27.36; 3 Koh Teck Chen (KL) 27.55.

Under-18: R. Parvin (Mel) 26.99; 2 Brandon Goh (Sel) 27.06; 3 Terence Ng (Sel) 27.11.

50m breaststroke

Under-12: 1 Jay Lo Vui Seng (Sab) 35.81; 2 Ng Yi Xuan (KL) 36.94; 3 Tong Yu Jing (Pen) 36.99.

Under-15: 1 Low Zheng Yong (Mel) 31.81; 2 Ong Yi Kai (Sel) 31.83; 3 Toh Ting Wei (Pen) 32.60.

Under-18: 1 Ng Jing Fun (Sel) 30.49; 2 Ng Kai Wen (KL) 30.77; 3 Kilian Ung Shihuang (Sar) 30.94.

Girls' 800m freestyle Open: 1 Rosalind Pang (Sel) 9:44.04, 2 Ong Yong Qi (Joh) 9:45.86, 3 Geogene Wee (KL) 9:54.95;

200m freestyle

Under-12: 1 Chu Xin Ying (Sab) 2:22.66; 2 Hooy Jia Yee (Pen) 2:22.94; 3 Yong Xing Ru (Sab) 2:25.61.

Under-15: 1 Ong Yong Qi (Joh) 2:13.86; 2 Goh Chia Tong (Mal) 2:16.46; 3 Geogene Wee (KL) 2:16.89.

Under-18: 1 Rosalind Pang (Sel) 2:14.85; 2 Elynn Tan (Pen) 2:16.10; 3 Lo Meng Sum (Sab) 2:16.69.

100m backstroke

Under-12: 1 Law Li Wei (KL) 1:15.17; 2 Jesslyn Lim (Pen) 1:18.38; 3 Jasmine Lim (Joh) 1:18.88.

Under-15: 1 Goh Chia Tong (Mel) 1:09.20; 2 Nessa Yip (Sel) 1:09.88; 3 Yong Zi Yi (Sab) 1:12.27.

Under-18: 1 Rosalind Pang (Sel) 1:08.39; 2 Karla Lim (KL) 1:09.74; 3 Nurlatifa Zahra (KL) 1:12.28.

50m butterfly:

Under-12: 1 Jesslyn Lim (Pen) 31.47; 2 Hooy Jia Yee (Pen) 31.90; 3 Teo Zhi Mei (Mel) 33.10.

Under-15: 1 Ho Keesha (Pen) 29.64; 2 Lim Shun Qi (Sel) 30.11; 3 Elise Wong (Sel) 30.59.

Under-18: 1 Elynn Tan (Pen) 28.94; 2 Liew Chern Xin (Sel) 29.72; 3 Tan Tyng (Sar) 30.82.

50m breaststroke:

Under-12: 1 Kristen Chong (Sar) 37.86; 2 Law Li Wei (KL) 38.13; 3 Nurhanan Maisara (Joh) 40.11.

Under-15: 1 Angelina Chan (Sel) 34.20; 2 Ho Keesha (Pen) 35.62; 3 Geogene Wee (KL) 35.99.

Under-18: 1 Liew Chern Xin (Sel) 34.97; 2 Laura Kristen (Sel) 36.23; 3 Elynn Tan (Pen) 36.54.

The Star : Proud to be under AirAsia’s wings

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

PUTRAJAYA: Glasgow Commonwealth Games double gold medallist swimmer Ben Proud (pic) will come under AirAsia’s backing as he makes a bid for Olympic glory in Tokyo in 2020.

AirAsia yesterday announced a four-year tie-up with the British Olympic swimmer who grew up in Kuala Lumpur.

Proud attended the Alice Smith School from kindergarten until year 11 when he left to pursue his swimming career further at Plymouth College.

As part of the deal, the 22-year-old will host an annual talent pool coaching clinic for up-and-coming competitive swimmers in the region, which kicked off in Putrajaya yesterday.

The Malaysian leg of the clinic, supported by the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM), saw 30 club swimmers aged 12 to 15 take part in an intensive one-day session at Marina Putrajaya Indoor Pool.

It was conducted by Proud and AquaElite coaches Antony James, a former Olympian, who will be joined in subsequent clinics by Commonwealth Games finalist Steven Beckerleg of Britain.

Proud swam for Britain in the 50m and 100m freestyle at the Rio Olympics last year.

He placed fourth in the 50m freestyle final in Rio.

“Following my first Olympic Games experience in Rio last year, I’ve set my goals and focus on achieving success at Tokyo 2020 and prior to that, defending my title at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. It’s going to be a challenging and exciting few years ahead.

“I am delighted to have the chance to return to my swimming roots in Malaysia, where I first fell in love with the sport while growing up in Kuala Lumpur, to help train the talents of tomorrow.

“It will be really rewarding to work with AirAsia to inspire and nurture future swimming champions throughout the Asean region over the next four years,” said Proud, who won the Commonwealth Games 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle golds in Glasgow in 2014.

AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said: “Asean has an abundance of talent but we don’t always develop that to the fullest.

“I hope that with the talent pool, which we will take all across Asean, we can help fill that gap and maybe even unearth the next Joseph Schooling (Singapore), Sun Yang (China), Kosuke Kitajima (Japan) or Ben Proud.”


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2017/02/26/proud-to-be-under-airasias-wings/#X4H3HBZHIr9o8pgy.99