The Star : Malaysian swimmers will have to swim out their way from the deep end before 2017

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

SINGAPORE: A bleak outlook awaits swimming when the SEA Games return to Malaysia in 2017.

The likes of Alex Lim Keng Liat, Anthony Ang, Elvin Chia and Sia Wai Yen ruled the pool when Malaysia last hosted the Games in 2001.

And who can forget the likes of Nurul Huda Abdullah, May Tan and Jeffrey Ong further back in the 1989 edition – also in Kuala Lumpur?

But the good times have sadly ended.

Wong Fu Kang will be counted again to deliver at the 2017 Games in Malaysia. - FAIHAN GHANI / The Star

Thirty-eight events were contested in Singapore, and Malaysia only managed to win three gold medals – all by youngsters Phee Jinq En (women’s 100m breaststroke), Wong Fu Kang (men’s 100m breaststroke) and Welson Sim (men’s 400m freestyle).

Welson Sim contributed a gold medal through the men's 400m freestyle. - FAIHAN GHANI / The Star

The same number of events are likely to be contested in Kuala Lumpur in two years’ time, but it’s unlikely that we’ll have a golden harvest – not with Vietnam making giant strides to join Singapore as the region's top swimming powers.

Seniors like Khoo Cai Lin and Kevin Yeap were outpaced by their rivals in their main events in Singapore and are unlikely to make up ground in the middle and long distance events in two years time.

Eighteen-year-old Nguyen Thi Anh dominated women’s swimming in Singapore with eight golds from 12 events. Seven of them were in Games record times, a fantastic achievement considering that she won across all swim strokes. She was denied the chance to add to her medal collection as she did not have a team behind her, thus Vietnam’s absence from the relay events.

Cai Lin pulled out from the 800m freestyle on the first day of competition due to tonsillitis but there was no way the national record holder – 8:45.36 – could have stopped Nguyen from winning – in a new Games record of 8:34.85.

Cai Lin’s SEA Games record of 4:10.75 in the 400m freestyle also disappeared on Wednesday as she settled for silver, behind Nguyen (4:08.66).

Phee Jinq En won the women's 100m breaststroke gold. - FAIHAN GHANI / The Star

Kevin only focused on the 1,500m freestyle but he had no answer to Lam Quang Nhat’s pace on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old Vietnamese set a new Games record of 15:31.03.

And who hasn’t heard of the exploits of home boy Joseph Schooling here.

The 18-year-old, who is the face of the Singapore SEA Games, enjoyed a perfect outing with nine golds from as many events – and all in new Games record times!

The scary thing for Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia is that the swimmers from Vietnam and Singapore, who enjoyed their best-ever SEA Games campaign with 23 golds, are young and yet to reach their full potential.

The likes of Anh Vien, Schooling and his team-mate Quah Zheng Wen, who splashed to seven golds, are capable of going faster as they continue to bulk up.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) secretary Mae Chen, though, is hoping that youngsters Jinq En, Welson and Fu Kang will improve in two years’ time.

“Jinq En and Fu Kang, along with Shaun Yap, are going to be our main hopes in breaststroke events,” she said.

“Welson will be a good prospect for the 200m and 400m freestyle in two years’ time. They’re still young and can improve as their bodies get stronger.”

 Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/Sport/Swimming/2015/06/12/Malaysian-swimmers-have-their-work-cut-out-for-2017-SEA-Games/

Channel NewsAsia : SEA Games swimming: Joseph Schooling, a legend in the making

By Adelene Wong

SINGAPORE: Over the years, Singapore has seen pre-eminent swimmers such as golden girl Patricia Chan who ruled the pool in the 1960s, Ang Peng Siong who first put Singapore on the world map in the 1980s, and Joscelin Yeo in the 1990s.

While Chan and Yeo took 39 and 40 gold medals respectively at the SEA Games — known as the South-east Asia Peninsular (SEAP) Games until 1977 — Ang once held the world’s fastest time in the 50m freestyle in 1982 and was also an Asian Games champion the same year in the 100m free.

But in this current era, there is possibly a bigger star in the making in 19-year-old Joseph Schooling, who is proving to be a bright prospect for bringing home Singapore’s first swimming medal at the Olympics.

Singapore swim sensation Joseph Schooling was seen mingling autographs poolside after winning his eighth gold of the SEA Games on Wednesday (Jun 10). (Photo: Jack Board)

After the Texas-based teenager swam 51.69secs to clinch the 100m fly silver at last year’s Commonwealth Games, finishing only behind South African Olympic champion Chad Le Clos (51.29) - and then following up by winning the same event at the Asian Games in a new Games record (51.96) - Schooling has continued to make a splash at the SEA Games this year, clinching nine gold medals, all in Games record times.

Singapore’s swimming legends TODAY spoke to think that Schooling could go on to become the country’s greatest ever swimmer, if the current support system he has from his family and swim team at the United States continue to rally around him well.

“He is a very talented swimmer, and has a lot of belief in himself. What he wants is to be the best on the world stage, and he makes no secret of that which really makes him stand out too,” said Chan.

“I don’t know if he can win (an Olympic gold medal) in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro, but I would say, let’s have patience and see - maybe 2016, or maybe in future (editions), but the potential is clear.”

Chan, who was named Singapore’s Sportswoman of the Year for five consecutive years (1967-1971), added that she has never seen such “strong psychological strength in anyone such as Joseph in the longest time” and that most of the credit must go to his parents.

David Lim, one of Singapore’s leading backstrokers in the 1980s and a two-time Olympian (1984, 1988), recalled that he “could not calm down” while competing at the Olympics and allowed his nerves to get to him.

“I looked around everywhere, and I saw people that I had read a lot about and saw so many times on television, and that pressure is really immense,” said Lim. “But Joseph is with Eddie Reese, and I saw that they have a really good relationship. If you want to name the top five coaches in the world, Eddie is up there, and Joseph can trust Eddie to give him the training he needs to handle pressure and do amazing swims.”

Added Singapore swimming head coach Sergio Lopez, who had coached Schooling for five years at The Bolles School in Florida: “I think he has done his job here (nine gold in nine SEA Games record times). Now, he needs to go back to focus on the World Championships (Jul 24 to Aug 9), and most importantly, on the Olympic Games.”

It may be mission accomplished for Schooling at this year’s SEA Games, but the swimmer was still slightly dissatisfied with some aspects of his game, pointing to the fact that his dives were less than perfect.

It is something he said he would continue to hone in preparation for the coming world championships, where he will take part in three events and is confident of a good showing alongside some of the best in the world.

“I have qualified for what I wanted to qualify for — the Rio (Olympics) ... I thought my dive was pretty good (at the SEA Games) but looking at the video footage, that was pretty poor.

“I am lucky that this wasn’t the Olympics or the Worlds ... That’s something I am going to work on.”


http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sea-games-swimming-joseph/1910068.html

Bernama : Welson Sim sets new record on last day of swimming at Sea Games

Young Malaysian swimmer Welson Sim broke the dominance of Singaporean swimmers at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on the final day of the 28th SEA Games swimming competition, in Singapore tonight to win the 400m Freestyle gold medal.

Welson Sim Wee Sheng of Malaysia celebrates after winning the men's 400m freestyle swimming final at the 28th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Singapore. – AFP pic, June 11, 2015. 

The 18-year-old swimmer, who clocked three minutes and 53.97 seconds, rewrote Daniel Bego's SEA Games record of 3:53.99s set at 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos in the men's 400m Freestyle event.

His timing was just a whisker away from equaling the national record of 3:53.26s held by Kevin Yeap and set at the Malaysian Open Swimming Championships in 2013.

"It was a great swim. The time was close to my personal best (3:53.91s) set at the last Malaysian Open (in March). Daniel also congratulated me. Although I feel a little tired, I am very happy. This is my first SEA Games gold medal," said the Kuching-born swimmer.

He won a bronze medal in the 200m Freestyle event on the opening day of the competition.

In his first SEA Games in Myanmar two years ago, Welson Sim only managed a bronze in the 1,500m event.

His next task would be the FINA World Championships 2015 in Kazan, Russia from July 24 to August 16.

"I just want to better my personal best. I will be competing in the 200m and 400m freestyle," said the Sarawakian.

Malaysian swimmers ended their campaign with three gold, four silver and four bronze medals. – Bernama, June 11, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sports/article/welson-sim-sets-new-record-on-last-day-of-swimming-at-sea-games#sthash.F5YTA1NS.dpuf

The Star : Malaysian relay team salvage silver in the pool

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

SINGAPORE: The juniors and seniors joined hands to save Malaysia the blushes on the fourth day of the swimming competition at the OCBC Aquatic Centre.

The men's 4x100m freestyle quartet anchored by Daniel Bego claimed silver in a new national record time.

The freestyle quartet of Alywn Tan, Welson Sim, Lim Ching Hwang and Daniel were the only Malaysians who had pool action and they did not disappoint the small group of enthusiastic Malaysian supporters.

The foursome completed the race in 3:25.55, erasing the previous national record of 3:26.98 set at the last Games in Myanmar two years ago.

Vernon Lee, Welson, Ching Hwang and Daniel swam at that time and took the silver. It was again a Joseph Schooling-powered Singapore who won comfortably in a new Games record of 3:19.59, breaking their previous record of 3:21.74 set in Myanmar.

The 17-year-old Alwyn, who replaced Vernon this time, was pleased to stand on the podium in his SEA Games debut.

"I knew beating Singapore would be impossible as they are a class above at the moment.

"We were hoping to get a medal but we know it's tougher to defend the medal.

"I am satisfied we got it in the end," said Penang-born Alwyn, who finished fourth in the 50m freestyle final on Monday.

It is the second silver for 18-year-old Welson and the Sarawak swimmer is now aiming to swim his heart out in the 400m freestyle on Thursday. He has the best qualifying time of 3:53.92 among the 14 swimmers in the start list.

Welson swam in the silver medal-winning 200m freestyle relay squad and has a bronze to show from the 200m freestyle on Sunday.

"I have a day's rest and I will go all out in my last event," said Welson, the Malaysian Schools Sports Council Sportsboy winner for 2014.

Daniel, who is also swimming in the 400m freestyle, proved he can still contribute to Malaysian swimming at the age of 26.

Yesterday, Malaysia had dropped behind to fourth but the former SEA Games multiple gold medallist swam a strong anchor leg to secure the silver medal.

"We have known each other for a while. I've seen them grow up, so we know each other well. It would be disappointing not to get a medal tonight," said Daniel, who is also from Sarawak. Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Anh Vien and Singapore's Schooling continued to rule the pool with new Games records.

The 18-year-old Nguyen took her golden tally to six as she won the 200m butterfly and 200m freestyle races.

While the 19-year-old Schooling claimed an impressive win in the 100m butterfly event and still had plenty in the tank for the 4x200m freestyle relay, making it a perfect six out of six races he has participated in so far.

see http://www.thestar.com.my/Sport/Swimming/2015/06/09/Malaysian-relay-team-salvage-silver-in-the-pool/

The Star : Jinq En stamps her mark with breaststroke gold

BY LIM TEIK HUAT


SINGAPORE: Like a bolt out of the blue, Phee Jinq En stunned the field to win the women's 100m breaststroke race at the Singapore SEA Games.

Waving her index finger after touching the board first, the Malaysian teenager announced her arrival on the regional stage with a dominant display at the OCBC Aquatics Center on Monday.

Even more impressive is the fact that the 17-year-old has never even won at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) level.

But that doesn’t bother Jinq En one jot as she held off Singapore duo Roanne Ho and Samantha Yeo to touch home with a new personal best time of 1:10.47 – and handed Malaysia their second swimming gold medal in as many nights.




Another teenager, 16-year-old Wong Fu Kang had won the men’s 100m breaststroke the previous night.

Silver went to Roanne (1:11.78) and the bronze to Samantha (1:11.87) as Malaysia’s other finalist, Christina Loh, fizzled out after the half-way mark to finish fifth.

Defending champion Christina, who is based in the United States, finished in 1:12.16 but it didn't matter as her junior shone in the discipline that Malaysia have dominated since the 2007 edition in Korat.

“We haven’t lost the women’s breaststroke event for many years ... that motivated me to go all out,” said Jinq En, who bagged three silver medals for Selangor in the Perlis Sukma last year.

“I didn’t expect this as it’s my first SEA Games. I just wanted to swim well and come away with a personal best.

Asked how it felt to finish ahead of her idol Christina, Jinq En replied: “When I turned around and saw my name up there, I was just so happy ... super happy.

“My parents came to see me and I think they're very happy too.”

Jinq En, who clocked her previous best of 1:10.75 at the Malaysian Open in March, has a chance to stamp her mark further if she can win the 50m breaststroke race on Thursday.

Five more Games records sank in the pool on Monday, with Singapore's Quah Zheng Wen smashing the oldest meet record – the men's 200m backstroke. He clocked 2:00.55 to erase the previous record of 2:00.96 set by Raymond Papa of the Philippines in 1997.


Read more http://www.thestar.com.my/Sport/Swimming/2015/06/08/Jinq-En-gives-Malaysia-second-swimming-gold/

The Star : Fu Kang bags Malaysia’s first swimming gold

By LIM TEIK HUAT

SINGAPORE: Look out behind… teenage swimmer Wong Fu Kang coming through!

The 16-year-old from Johor swam the race of his life to win the men's 100m breaststroke race at OCBC Aquatics Arena – in new national record time.

National swimmer, 16-year-old Wong Fu Kang after winning the men's 100m breaststroke at the Singapore SEA Games on Sunday. - FAIHAN GHANI/ The STAR

It’s no wonder he pumped his fists in the air immediately after looking at the scoreboard. He has just come from behind in the race to hand Malaysia their first SEA Games swimming gold medal in Singapore.

Victory seemed unlikely as the kid trailed in fourth place after the first 50 metres. But he cranked it up after the turn to touch the wall in 1:02.46 just ahead of Thailand’s Matjiu Radomyos, who clocked 1:02.63.

His new time eclipsed his own national mark of 1:02.56 set at the Malaysian Open in March. And more importantly, he became the first Malaysian male breaststroker to take gold in 14 years since Elvin Chia.

Interestingly, it was also Fu Kang who erased Elvin's national mark in the same event that had stood for 15 years.

The Phuket-based Fu Kang said he learned from the mistake he made in the 200m breaststroke final the previous night.

He led at the half-way mark but ran out of steam and finished fifth.

"I went too fast last night. I learnt my lesson and I was saving up my energy for the last 50 metres.

"I knew everyone were feeling the fatigue and I just did my best to beat them. I was so happy when I looked up and saw my name on top alongside the Malaysian flag,” said Fu Kang, who has a chance to claim a double when he swims the 50m breaststroke event on Thursday.

Malaysia also won a silver medal - in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay via Lim Ching Hwang, Daniel Bego, Welson Sim and Kevin Yeap, who finished in 7:30.13. Singapore, anchored by Incheon Asian Games gold medallist Joseph Schooling, proved too fast and won easily in 7:18.14.

United States-based Christina Loh will bid to defend her 100m breaststroke title on Monday night.

RESULTS

Men 

100m freestyle: 1. Joseph Schooling (Mas) 48.58 new Games rec, 2. Quah Zheng Wen (Sin) 49.91, 3. Hoang Quy Phuoc (Vie) 50.60. Selected: 7. Alwyn Tan (Mas) 51.81.

100m breaststroke: 1. Wong Fu Kang (Mas) 1:02.46, 2. Matjiur Radomyos (Tha) 1:02.63, 3. Joshua Hall (Phi) 1:02.87. Selected: 8. Shaun Yap (Mas) 1:04.97.

4x200m freestyle: 1. Singapore 7:18.14 new Games rec, 2. Malaysia 7:30.13, 3. Indonesia 7:35.63.

Women 

50m butterfly: 1. Tao Li (Sin) 26.58 new Games rec, 2. Quah Ting Wen (Sin) 27.02, 3. Jasmine Alkhaldi (Phi) 27.47.

200m backstroke: 1. Nguyen Thi Anh Vien (Vie) 2:14.12 new Games rec, 2. Yosaputra Yessy Venesia (Ina) 2:17.17, 3. Roxanne Ashley (Phi) 2:18.45.

200m individual medley: 1. Nguyen Thi Anh Vien (Vie) 2:13.53 new Games rec, 2. Pawapotako Phiangkhwan (Tha) 2:18.56, 3. Samantha Yeo (Sin) 2:18.77.

The Star : SEA Games: Sorry start for Malaysia in swimming

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

SINGAPORE: A bronze from youngster Welson Sim was all Malaysia could manage on the first day of the swimming competition at OCBC Aquatics Centre.

Khoo Cai Lin dealt an early blow to Malaysia’s hopes of a gold-medal start when she pulled out from the women's 800m freestyle final.

Cai Lin cited tonsillitis as the reason for not defending the 800m freestyle title she won in Myanmar two years ago.

She swam the 400m individual medley heat in the morning, but did not finish the race.

“I’ve been having tonsillitis even before arriving here and I’ve not recovered from it. I used the 400m individual medley as a test to see how I was feeling, but I could not breathe halfway through the race ... too bad this happened now," said Cai Lin, who is unable to take antibiotics as she has to race the 400m freestyle on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old Selangor swimmer, however, faces an uphill task of regaining the 400m gold medal she last won in Laos in 2009 as Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Anh Vien was in sublime form on Saturday.

The Vietnamese teenager splashed to two SEA Games records on her way to winning the 400m individual medley and 800m freestyle races.

But it was good to see Welson putting up a noteworthy performance in snatching bronze.

The 18-year-old from Sarawak clocked 1:50.73 in the men’s 200m freestyle to finish behind Singapore’s Quah Zheng Wen, who took silver in 1:49.17.

Welson Sim of Malaysia (right) with the 200m freestyle bronze medal at the Singapore SEA Games on Saturday. Quah Zheng Wen of Singapore (left) won silver and Vietnam's Hoang Quy Phuoc, the gold. - BERNAMA

Vietnam’s Hoang Quy Phuoc smashed Malaysian Daniel Bego’s SEA Games record of 1:49.22, set in 2009, on his way to retaining the 200m freestyle gold in 1:48.96.

“I’m happy with my effort as this is my first time qualifying for the 200m freestyle final at the SEA Games,” said Welson, the MSSM Sportsboy for 2014.

“I’m also the youngest finalist tonight. I will not think too much about this as I have more events to come.”

http://www.thestar.com.my/Sport/Swimming/2015/06/06/Only-one-medal-for-Malaysia-in-swimming-competition/

4th Selangor Arena Short-Course Sprint Invitational Swimming Championship 2015

Dear IBSC Members,

Kindly be informed that IBSC has been invited again to the following invitational short-course swimming meet as a Guest Club.

Invitational Event	:	4th Selangor Arena Short-Course Sprint Invitational Swimming Championship 2015
Organiser	:	Persatuan Renang Amatur Selangor (PRAS)
Date and Time	:	31st July –  2nd August, 2015 @ 8:00 am each day
Venue	:	Pusat Akuatik Darul Ehsan, Shah Alam, Selangor
Championship Rules	:	Rules and By-Laws of FINA
Date of Reckoning	:	1 January, 2015
Age Group	:	Group 1 – 4, Open
Entry Fees	:	a.         Registration fee of RM20 per swimmer b.         Individual entry fee of RM6 per event c.         Relay team entry fee of RM24 per relay event
Closing Date	:	30th June, 2015, 12:00 pm.
Rules for Guest Clubs (Applicable to IBSC)	:	1.      Limit of entries of 20 male swimmers and 20 female swimmers 2.      Swimmers from Guest Clubs will be automatically classified under the “State swimmers” category
Competition Events	:	50m, 100m, 200m Freestyle 50m, 100m Breaststroke 50m, 100m Backstroke 50m, 100m Butterfly 100m, 200m Individual Medley 4x25m Freestyle Relay 4x25m Medley Relay 4x50m Mixed Freestyle Relay (2 female + 2 males) 4x50m Mixed Medley Relay (2 female + 2 males)

Due to the above restrictions imposed on Guest Clubs, eligible IBSC swimmers will be selected by the Swim Committee to represent the Club in the above invitational meet. Short-listed swimmers will be notified in due course.

See attached invite.

Best Regards,
IBSC Swim Committee

Team Briefing for SportExcel 2015, Leg 2

Dear IBSC swimmers,

Please note that the Team Briefing for SportExcel Junior Swimming Circuit 2015, Leg 2 will be held next week as below. The Leg 2 is scheduled to be held in Shah Alam Aquatic Centre on 13-14 June, 2015. More information will be given during the team briefing.

All registered IBSC swimmers are required to attend the briefing. Attendees can redeem their free Gatorade drinks during the team briefing.

We value your attendance.

Thank you,
IBSC Swim Committee

StarSport: Malaysia good for 50 golds in Singapore

After getting all their calculations wrong at last year’s Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, the National Sports Council (NSC) have wised up. They are not predicting their gold haul at the 28th Singapore SEA Games. At the last Games in Myanmar two years ago, Malaysia returned home with 43 golds, 38 silvers and 77 bronzes. Here, StarSport gives the low-down on Malaysia’s prospects. 

AQUATICS (13)

THIS sport is a golden goose for Malaysia. The divers are set to repeat their eight-gold sweep in Myanmar two years ago. Afterall, we’re the only country is the South-East Asian region to have world-class divers. Experienced divers like Leong Mun Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Pandelela Rinong and ... should have no problems winning again. But it will be interesting to see how we perform in the swimming events against Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand.

Malaysia, however, have very strong chances in the men’s 200m and 400m freestyle as well as the 4x200m freestyle relay. Sixteen-year-old Wong Fu Kang is also a good prospect to claim gold in the 50m and 100m breaststroke.

Synchronised swimming should get gold No.1 for Malaysia through the duet pair of Katrina Ann Hadi-Zylane Lee.

ARCHERY (3)

THE men’s recurve archers’ performances have been poor since winning the team silver at last year’s Asian Games. But Khairul Anuar Mohamad and Co are still the one to beat in the region. Malaysia dominated the individual and team events in the previous two Games and should be able to do repeat the two-gold show again. Indonesia are Malaysia’s biggest threat. Malaysia are also expected to mount a strong challenge in the compound event. The trio of Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh, Saritha Cham Nong and Nur Rizah Ishak look good for the team title after being boosted by their historic gold medal triumph at the World Cup in Shanghai last month. There are 10 golds at stake and there’s a strong possibility of Malaysia surpassing the three-gold target.

ATHLETICS (4)

MALAYSIA’s standard in track and field has declined drastically in the last five years. It’s going to be a big ask for the national athletes to do better than the four golds, six silvers and 13 bronzes achieved in Myanmar. Only high jumper Nauraj Singh Randhawa and discus thrower Mohd Irfan Shamsuddin look good for glory. Both Nauraj (2.22m) and Irfan (58.46m) are ranked number one in South-East Asia. Fifteen-year-old Grace Wong Xiu Mei could also spring a surprise in the women’s hammer. The Sarawakian is ranked number one in the region based on her personal best of 55.08m.

BADMINTON (3)

It was a flop in Myanmar with only the women’s doubles pair of Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei delivering the gold. But the recent good performances at the Sudirman Cup mixed team event have boosted Malaysia’s confidence. With Danish legend Morten Frost back in charge for his second stint, Malaysia should have enough firepower to clinch the men’s team gold. Afterall, former world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei is back in the team. Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong are also a good bet for the men’s doubles gold while Vivian-Khe Wei should deliver once again in the absence of  Indonesian No. 1 Nitya Krishinda Maheshwari-Greysia Polii.

BILLIARDS AND SNOOKER (1)

HOPES are high on snooker duo Thor Chuan Leong and Moh Keen Ho to deliver the gold for the third straight Games. Chuan Leong, the 2014 Asian champion, won the doubles gold with Sam Chong in 2011 before picking up an individual honour in six-red (not contested this time) in Myanmar. This time, Chuan Leong is also eyeing the elusive snooker singles crown. He managed a silver in 2009 and bronze in the next two editions. Keen Hoo, on the other hand, is hoping to reclaim the snooker singles gold he won in 2007. Malaysia may not be traditionally strong in the English Billiards, but the arrival of former 11-time world champion Mike Rusell as national coach may make a difference this time around.

BOWLING (4)

FOUR golds seem just right. Malaysia are again favourites for the men and women’s team-of-five titles. They are are also capable of springing surprises in the singles, doubles, trios and Masters. Rafiq Ismail is in a rich vein of form, having been on the podium in six tournaments since January. The men’s squad also have Adrian Ang, the four-gold hero at the 2011 Indonesia Games, as well as experienced Alex Liew. The women’s team are looking sharp and ready, too. Experienced Sin Li Jane, Esther Cheah and Shalin Zulkifli are world beaters on their day. They will be well supported by reigning Malaysian Open champion Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman and Natasha Roslan at the Orchid Bowl.

EQUESTRIAN (1)

THE sport contributed three golds in Myanmar, but don’t expect Malaysia to surpass the haul this time. Only four golds are up for grabs in Singapore with the two endurance events being scrapped, which Malaysia won both two years ago. Malaysia’s best chance lies in the showjumping team event with Natasha Ines Wah Idris, Nabil Fikri Ismail, Nurlin Saleh and Sharmini Christina Ratnasingham shouldering the challenge.

GOLF (1)

MALAYSIA will be without Gavin Kyle Green, who came so close to ending the gold drought in Myanmar two years ago. Gavin, who lost to Thailand’s Danthai Boonma in the gold medal playoff, is unavailable due to his final year studies in the United States. But it’s not all gloom and doom for the national team, thanks to the emergence of Daeng Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz. Only 15, Daeng is in immaculate form of late. He beat a professional field to win the Danau Closed Championship in April and then won the Saujana Amateur Championship last month. He is good for the individual gold.

GYMNASTICS (2)

THE last time gymnastics was contested was at the 2011 Indonesia Games. Then, Malaysia won two silvers through artistic gymnasts Farah Ann Abdul Hadi and Nur Eli Ellina Azmi. This time, Malaysia are banking on glory in the team event. Malaysia’s best hopes lie in rhythmic gymnastics with N. Shasangari Sivaneswary and Koi Sie Yan being tipped to strike the individual all-around gold. Hopes are also high on Chan Mei Thung, Yap Sin Lu, Yap Qian Ling, Loo Shiow Yng, Thew Yue Jia and Chai Xin Nong to land the group all-around gold. They were given all the exposure needed to come good with stints at the Kalamata Cup in Greece and the World Cup in Uzbekistan.

HOCKEY (2)

IT would be a national disaster if Malaysia fail to win both the golds. Malaysia will be represented by a young Project 2016 squad in the men’s event, but they still pack too much firepower for the South-East Asian rivals. In their run-up to the Games, they went for a playing tour of Australia last month and played friendlies with Singapore recently. As for the women’s team, they won the World League Round One in Singapore last June and they should beat Thailand, Singapore and Myanmar to retain the gold.

SAILING (3)

COUNT Malaysia to win men’s laser standard gold. They have won the event every time it was contested in the biennial Games. Olympian Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy is a safe bet to retain the gold he won in Myanmar. In the women’s laser radial, Khairunneeta Mohd Afendy and the Mohammad Latif sisters – Nur Shazrin and Nurliyana – are strong contenders for the gold following their extensive training under coach Charles Baillie Strong. International 420 sailors Nor Adriana Adlyna and Siti Nur Fatihah rained under world No. 1 Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis in Greece and should be start as favourites to win the gold.

SHOOTING (4)

VETERAN Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi is a sure-fire bet for a gold in the women’s 50m rifle three-position. Malaysia will also be banking on lithe Ezuan Nasir Khan in the men’s 50m rifle prone. The shooters could also spring surprises in the men’s and women’s 10m air pistol team events as well as the women’s 50m rifle prone three-position. Alia Sazana Azahari is also an strong bet for gold in the women’s 25m pistol.

SQUASH (4)

MALAYSIA are the kingpins in South-East Asia. Malaysia will not be fielding world No. 1 Nicol David and Low Wee Wern in the women’s category and Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan in the men’s competition, but they still pack too much firepower for their rivals. Second stringers Mohd Addeen Idrakie, Sanjay Singh Chal, Rachel Arnold and Vanessa Raj should deliver four golds.

WATERSKIING (3)

THE sport delivered four golds the last time it was contested at the 2011 Indonesia Games. It was a family affair with Philippa Yoong taking the women’s slalom and overall gold and former Formula One driver Alex Yoong taking the men’s overall title. The star of the team then was their little half-sister Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah. At eight-years-old, Aaliyah became the youngest SEA Games gold medallist in history by winning the tricks event. Aaliyah, now 11, should again emerge triumphant in the tricks. She is also tipped to win the overall gold. As for Alex, he is favourite to retain the overall gold.

WUSHU (2)

IT contributed three golds at the last Games. Being a subjective sport, it’s fair to predict a conservative two-gold haul this time. Singapore are the favourites as they are capable of bagging four titles. Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines also have talented exponents to get their hands on the slice of the pie. Malaysia’s best hopes lie in the women’s nanquan. Diana Bong was the winner in 2007, 2009 and 2013 while Tai Cheau Xuen emerged champion in 2011. Both will again be competing in Singapore. Two-time world champion Ho Mun Hua is the other best bet. He came close with three silvers and one bronze in the men’s nanquan, so it could be his time to finally claim his first SEA Games title.