BY LIM TEIK HUAT
SHAH ALAM: The battle for supremacy in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) swimming competition is set to be a two-horse race between Selangor and hosts Sarawak.
This is despite both states not having the services of Rio-bound Olympians Phee Jinq En (Selangor) and Welson Sim (Sarawak) when the swimming competition begins in Kuching this weekend.
That is as good as two gold medals lost for each state.
Due to their status as SEA Games gold medallists in Singapore last year, Welson and Jinq En would have been allowed to only swim in either both the individual or one individual and one relay events at Sukma.
Instead, the duo left for Florida in the United States on Tuesday with national swim coach Paul Birmingham Thomas. They will train there for the next 10 days before heading for Rio de Janeiro for their Olympic debut.
Selangor will surely the presence of Jinq En, who would have been unbeatable in the women’s 50m and 100m breaststroke events.
Selangor claimed the overall swimming title with an 11-18-13 medal haul at the last Sukma in Perlis two years ago, ahead of the Federal Territories (10-6-9) and Sarawak (9-5-3).
But Selangor coach Ong Jin Kooi is hopeful that their 20-swimmer team have what it takes to deliver the goods.
“All our swimmers who won in Perlis can still feature in Kuching. Welson is not defending his men’s 200m and 1,500m freestyle titles, so we hope Yeap Zheng Yang can rise to the occasion,” said Jin Kooi.
“We also hope that Maryann Kok, who’s back from the US, can do well in the shorter sprint events while national swimmer Nadia Adrianna Redza will shine in the women’s middle and long distance events.
“We’d like to finish as overall champions, but it’s going to be tough as Sarawak have good home support.”
Hosts Sarawak will be relying heavily on national swimmers Vernon Lee, Erika Kong and Angela Chieng to deliver the gold medals.
Erika, who won the women’s 200m and 400m individual medley golds in Perlis two years ago, can expect a tougher fight this time with former SEA Games double gold medallist Christina Loh, who has returned from the US to swim for the Federal Territories, in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events.
Angela will be seeking to defend her women’s 200m butterfly as well as 400m and 800m freestyle titles in Kuching while Vernon, who has entered for the men’s 200m apart from defending his 400m freestyle, will be out to show that Sarawak need not depend solely on Welson.
Wednesday, 20 July 2016
Monday, 18 July 2016
My first University Games
-by Keith Lim, 19
Recently, I’ve participated in the 18th Asean University Games 2016 held at the prestigious OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore. I was excited to go to the meet not only because it was my first experience at a varsity meet but also because most of my swim mates were in the same team proudly representing Malaysia.
There was a little anxiety in me as I have not competed for a while. We crossed the border 2 days earlier before the competition and my coach advised me to continue training instead despite the immediate race confronting me as I have another more important competition very soon, the SUKMA XVIII in Sarawak.
Prior to the start of the meet, I wasn’t feeling too good in the water. So during the 2 prep days, I swam more distance than I usually would in my regular training to get a better feel in the water. Still, I had all the doubts running in my mind; I hesitated if I had trained enough for this meet or if I would have the slightest luck to improve on my PBs.
On the first day of the meet, I had an important event for me. Important because it is my pet event - 100m freestyle. I suddenly felt intimidated seeing my opponents who were much faster, older and obviously more experienced than me. I kept reminding myself to keep my mind clear because if I didn’t, I know it was going to affect my race adversely.
But guess what? I swam with my hardest kick ever and slashed my PB from a 51.2s down to a 50.7s to my own astonishment, grabbing a silver for that event which I never thought would be within my reach. I was so happy with my result, it immediately boosted the confidence I needed to complete my remaining events for the next few days.
At the end of meet, I improved all of my freestyle events and got 1 gold, 3 silvers and 2 bronze from all of the events I swam. A fruitful trip indeed, and I couldn’t have done it without the support from my friends, family, team mates and especially my coach, Mr Birmingham.
Now, I learned that it is of utmost importance to have strong mentality during competitions. I learned what my weaknesses were and confronted it with my absolute best. If you think you can do it, then you can!
Remember to always give your best during a race because, hey, you can’t go wrong with giving all you’ve got, right?
* photos credit to Ms Sow Yee
Recently, I’ve participated in the 18th Asean University Games 2016 held at the prestigious OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore. I was excited to go to the meet not only because it was my first experience at a varsity meet but also because most of my swim mates were in the same team proudly representing Malaysia.
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| Team MAS |
There was a little anxiety in me as I have not competed for a while. We crossed the border 2 days earlier before the competition and my coach advised me to continue training instead despite the immediate race confronting me as I have another more important competition very soon, the SUKMA XVIII in Sarawak.
Prior to the start of the meet, I wasn’t feeling too good in the water. So during the 2 prep days, I swam more distance than I usually would in my regular training to get a better feel in the water. Still, I had all the doubts running in my mind; I hesitated if I had trained enough for this meet or if I would have the slightest luck to improve on my PBs.
On the first day of the meet, I had an important event for me. Important because it is my pet event - 100m freestyle. I suddenly felt intimidated seeing my opponents who were much faster, older and obviously more experienced than me. I kept reminding myself to keep my mind clear because if I didn’t, I know it was going to affect my race adversely.
But guess what? I swam with my hardest kick ever and slashed my PB from a 51.2s down to a 50.7s to my own astonishment, grabbing a silver for that event which I never thought would be within my reach. I was so happy with my result, it immediately boosted the confidence I needed to complete my remaining events for the next few days.
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| The scoreboard showing all 3 top positions milliseconds away |
At the end of meet, I improved all of my freestyle events and got 1 gold, 3 silvers and 2 bronze from all of the events I swam. A fruitful trip indeed, and I couldn’t have done it without the support from my friends, family, team mates and especially my coach, Mr Birmingham.
Now, I learned that it is of utmost importance to have strong mentality during competitions. I learned what my weaknesses were and confronted it with my absolute best. If you think you can do it, then you can!
Remember to always give your best during a race because, hey, you can’t go wrong with giving all you’ve got, right?
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| Medal presentation for 100m freestyle where I (left) earned my silver |
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| Proud golden relay moments for 4x200m freestyle |
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| Together with my peers, we grabbed gold in our relays. From left , Zhen Yang, Kevin, myself and Wei Tze |
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| Winning silver for 4x100m free relay with team mates Zhen Yang, Daniel Bego and Wei Tze |
* photos credit to Ms Sow Yee
Saturday, 16 July 2016
The NST : (Swimming) 101-year-old Japanese aims for more records
BY AFP - 15 JULY 2016 @ 7:39 PM
NARASHINO: As the world’s top swimmers prepare for the Rio Olympics, a sprightly Japanese centenarian insists she will still be smashing records by the time the 2020 Tokyo Games roll around.
Closing in on her 102nd birthday, Mieko Nagaoka has racked up a slew of jaw-dropping world bests in her age bracket after only taking up swimming in her late eighties, but warns she is not done yet.
“I’m fit as a fiddle,” Nagaoka told AFP in an interview after completing the 400 metres freestyle in 26 minutes, 16.81 seconds at a Japan Masters Swimming Association competition in Chiba, on the outskirts of Tokyo.
“The secret is to eat well and stay active. It’s no good sitting around at my age. I want to keep swimming until I’m 105 – and beyond that,” added the Yamaguchi native, who has lived through 22 Olympics to date.
Nagaoka, who swam the race backstroke sporting a white cap and dashing black and gold swimsuit, finished well over 17 minutes behind the winner, 80-year-old Etsuko Azumi. Hard of hearing,
Nagaoka failed to hear the roar of the crowd after completing the eight-lap race and attempted to return for a ninth before being fished out by judges as nervous medics watched on.
“It was just another race,” smiled Nagaoka after changing into a pink jacket and matching hat.
“Swimming makes me happy, that’s what I love about it,” she added. “When I’m swimming I’m in my own little world.”
Along with 105-year-old sprinter Hidekichi Miyazaki, another geriatric record breaker, Nagaoka is blazing a trail for Japan’s turbo-charged pensioners in a country with one of the world’s highest life expectancies.
Nonetheless, Nagaoka’s time was well outside her world record of 16:36.80 set two years ago. Her rivals had long dried off and were talking by the side of the pool when Nagaoka finally touched to thunderous applause. But she struck a defiant tone.
“I want to keep swimming as fast as I can,” said Nagaoka, who owns world records in the women’s 100-104 age division in nine events, including the 1,500m freestyle – a distance most people of her venerable age would struggle to walk.
“I’ll keep going for as long as I’m alive.”
Born in 1914, days after the outbreak of World War I, when Japan fought on the side of the allies, Nagaoka’s rambunctious lust for life continues to astound her family and coaches.
“Her attitude to life is totally scandalous,” said her 76-year-old son Hiroyuki.
“She refuses to live life by the correct rules. She eats only the finest food and turns her nose up at anything she doesn’t fancy.
“You’re supposed to slow down with age, but she was getting quicker with age in her nineties, breaking record after record,” he added.
“That sense of joy and purpose in life is the secret to her long life.” Nagaoka still trains three times a week in Yamaguchi, southwest Japan, under the tutelage of long-time coach Shintaro Sawada.
“At first I thought she was joking about swimming until 100, but she was deadly serious,” said 41-year-old Sawada.
“I’ve never met anyone like her – she eats when she wants and sleeps when she wants. She has a very stubborn streak and fierce determination.”
Perched beside his mother, the younger Nagaoka beamed with pride. “She’s amazing,” said Hiroyuki.
“Mentally she’s still very sharp. She’s the world’s greatest mum!” --AFP
Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/07/158515/swimming-101-year-old-japanese-aims-more-records
NARASHINO: As the world’s top swimmers prepare for the Rio Olympics, a sprightly Japanese centenarian insists she will still be smashing records by the time the 2020 Tokyo Games roll around.
Closing in on her 102nd birthday, Mieko Nagaoka has racked up a slew of jaw-dropping world bests in her age bracket after only taking up swimming in her late eighties, but warns she is not done yet.
“I’m fit as a fiddle,” Nagaoka told AFP in an interview after completing the 400 metres freestyle in 26 minutes, 16.81 seconds at a Japan Masters Swimming Association competition in Chiba, on the outskirts of Tokyo.
“The secret is to eat well and stay active. It’s no good sitting around at my age. I want to keep swimming until I’m 105 – and beyond that,” added the Yamaguchi native, who has lived through 22 Olympics to date.
Nagaoka, who swam the race backstroke sporting a white cap and dashing black and gold swimsuit, finished well over 17 minutes behind the winner, 80-year-old Etsuko Azumi. Hard of hearing,
Nagaoka failed to hear the roar of the crowd after completing the eight-lap race and attempted to return for a ninth before being fished out by judges as nervous medics watched on.
“It was just another race,” smiled Nagaoka after changing into a pink jacket and matching hat.
“Swimming makes me happy, that’s what I love about it,” she added. “When I’m swimming I’m in my own little world.”
Along with 105-year-old sprinter Hidekichi Miyazaki, another geriatric record breaker, Nagaoka is blazing a trail for Japan’s turbo-charged pensioners in a country with one of the world’s highest life expectancies.
Nonetheless, Nagaoka’s time was well outside her world record of 16:36.80 set two years ago. Her rivals had long dried off and were talking by the side of the pool when Nagaoka finally touched to thunderous applause. But she struck a defiant tone.
 | |||
| This photo taken on July 14, 2016 shows 101-year-old Mieko Nagaoka swimming during the women's 400m freestyle race in the Japan Masters swimming competition in Narashino, in suburban Tokyo.Closing in on her 102nd birthday, Mieko Nagaoka has racked up a slew of jaw-dropping world bests in her age bracket after only taking up swimming in her late eighties, but warns she is not done yet. AFP Photo |
“I’ll keep going for as long as I’m alive.”
Born in 1914, days after the outbreak of World War I, when Japan fought on the side of the allies, Nagaoka’s rambunctious lust for life continues to astound her family and coaches.
“Her attitude to life is totally scandalous,” said her 76-year-old son Hiroyuki.
“She refuses to live life by the correct rules. She eats only the finest food and turns her nose up at anything she doesn’t fancy.
“You’re supposed to slow down with age, but she was getting quicker with age in her nineties, breaking record after record,” he added.
“That sense of joy and purpose in life is the secret to her long life.” Nagaoka still trains three times a week in Yamaguchi, southwest Japan, under the tutelage of long-time coach Shintaro Sawada.
“At first I thought she was joking about swimming until 100, but she was deadly serious,” said 41-year-old Sawada.
“I’ve never met anyone like her – she eats when she wants and sleeps when she wants. She has a very stubborn streak and fierce determination.”
Perched beside his mother, the younger Nagaoka beamed with pride. “She’s amazing,” said Hiroyuki.
“Mentally she’s still very sharp. She’s the world’s greatest mum!” --AFP
Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/07/158515/swimming-101-year-old-japanese-aims-more-records
Friday, 15 July 2016
The Star : A tepid display in the pool at Asean University Games
BY TAN MING WAI
PETALING JAYA: It was a quiet day in the pool for the Malaysian swimming camp at the Asean University Games (AUG) in Singapore.
After bagging five gold medals in the first two days, Malaysia ended the third day with just a silver and three bronzes at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore.
The silver came courtesy of the men’s 4x100m freestyle quartet of Keith Lim, Daniel Bego, Yeap Zheng Yang and Foong Wei Tze. They clocked 3:27.01 to finish behind Indonesia (3:26.72), who were anchored by 2013 Myanmar SEA Games double gold medallist Triady Fauzi Sidiq.
Thailand took bronze in 3:28.35.
Kevin Yeap failed to win a third gold medal at the Games.
The 28-year-old, who has already won the 1,500m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle golds, finished third in the 400m freestyle after clocking 4:00.96.
Singapore’s Pang Sheng Jun was in a class of his own as he touched the wall in 3:56.01 to clinch the gold ahead of Indonesia’s Aflah Prawira (3:58.52).
Malaysia’s two other bronze medals were delivered by Chan Yang in the men’s 50m butterfly and the women’s 4x100m freestyle quartet of Chui Lai Kwan, Khoo Cai Lin, Erika Kong and Chris Tan Li Ling.
Chan Yang claimed his first medal of the Games by finishing behind Triady (24.40) and Thailand’s Wongcharoen Navaphat (25.23).
Former SEA Games gold medallist Cai Lin made up for missing the women’s 400m freestyle podium by leading her team-mates to third placing finish in the relay by clocking 4:02:67. Thailand won in 3:65.66 followed by Indonesia (3:55.82).
PETALING JAYA: It was a quiet day in the pool for the Malaysian swimming camp at the Asean University Games (AUG) in Singapore.
After bagging five gold medals in the first two days, Malaysia ended the third day with just a silver and three bronzes at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore.
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| Yea Zheng Yang helped the 4x100m freestyle quartet to the silver medal. |
Thailand took bronze in 3:28.35.
Kevin Yeap failed to win a third gold medal at the Games.
The 28-year-old, who has already won the 1,500m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle golds, finished third in the 400m freestyle after clocking 4:00.96.
Singapore’s Pang Sheng Jun was in a class of his own as he touched the wall in 3:56.01 to clinch the gold ahead of Indonesia’s Aflah Prawira (3:58.52).
Malaysia’s two other bronze medals were delivered by Chan Yang in the men’s 50m butterfly and the women’s 4x100m freestyle quartet of Chui Lai Kwan, Khoo Cai Lin, Erika Kong and Chris Tan Li Ling.
Chan Yang claimed his first medal of the Games by finishing behind Triady (24.40) and Thailand’s Wongcharoen Navaphat (25.23).
Former SEA Games gold medallist Cai Lin made up for missing the women’s 400m freestyle podium by leading her team-mates to third placing finish in the relay by clocking 4:02:67. Thailand won in 3:65.66 followed by Indonesia (3:55.82).
Thursday, 14 July 2016
The NST : Asean University Games: Malaysian swimmers power ahead with three gold medals
BY FADHLI ISHAK - 13 JULY 2016 @ 11:56 PM
SINGAPORE: The national swimmers did well to deliver another three gold and a bronze as the medals started to rack up for Malaysia at the Asean University Games (AUG) here today.
Wong Fu Kang, who settled for bronze in the men's 100m breaststroke yesterday, left no room for error as he powered to the 50m breaststroke gold in a time of 28.91 seconds at the OCBC Aquatics Centre.
Indonesia's Nathaniel Gagarin (29.08s) and Dennis Josua Tiwa (29.15s) took silver and bronze in the event.
Keith Lim, Kevin Yeap, Yeap Zheng Yang and Foong Wei Tze defended Malaysia's gold in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay with a close win over Indonesia. The quartet clocked 7:34:21s to edge Indonesian's Putera Muhammad Randa, Aflah Prawira, Satrio Bagaskara Putra and Triady Fauzi Sidiq (7:34.66s) to the win.
Thailand (L. Peerapat, Jiarapong Sangkawat, Navaphat Wongcharoen, Seree Phansomboon) took the bronze on 7:39.64s. Pencak silat exponents Rosli Mohd Sharif and Mohd Taqiyuddin Mohd won Malaysia's first ever seni doubles gold at the AUG.
The duo's routine scored 569 among the judges, giving them a close victory ahead of Indonesia's Haidir Agung Faletehan-Dede Setiadi who were just six points adrift.
Laos pair Singsouvong Alisack and Amphonh Khounchaleun took the bronze on 554. As expected,
Malaysia settled for bronze in both the men's and women's category of the badminton team event.
Both teams defeated Singapore in the third-place playoff with a 3-2 scoreline for the men and 3-1 for the women.
Malaysia lived up to expectations in the football competition, emerging champions of group 'B' with a 4-0 drubbing of Cambodia thanks to goals from Helmi Hariri Ibrahim, Muhd Naim Mukhtar, Mohd Hazizi Mazuki and Taufiq Mohd Zaki.
They will play either Myanmar or Timor Leste in the final four on Friday. Thailand face Singapore in the other semi-final.
The national contingent have won a total of six gold, three silver and four bronze medals at the games so far, with more expected from the pool as well as the shooting, fencing and athletics events which begin tomorrow.
Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/07/158093/asean-university-games-malaysian-swimmers-power-ahead-three-gold-medals
SINGAPORE: The national swimmers did well to deliver another three gold and a bronze as the medals started to rack up for Malaysia at the Asean University Games (AUG) here today.
Wong Fu Kang, who settled for bronze in the men's 100m breaststroke yesterday, left no room for error as he powered to the 50m breaststroke gold in a time of 28.91 seconds at the OCBC Aquatics Centre.
Indonesia's Nathaniel Gagarin (29.08s) and Dennis Josua Tiwa (29.15s) took silver and bronze in the event.
Keith Lim, Kevin Yeap, Yeap Zheng Yang and Foong Wei Tze defended Malaysia's gold in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay with a close win over Indonesia. The quartet clocked 7:34:21s to edge Indonesian's Putera Muhammad Randa, Aflah Prawira, Satrio Bagaskara Putra and Triady Fauzi Sidiq (7:34.66s) to the win.
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| From left, Yeap Zheng Yang, Kevin Yap Soon Choy, Keith Lim Kit Sern and Foong Wei Tze defended Malaysia's gold in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay with a close win over Indonesia at the Asean University Games (AUG) in Sinagpore. |
Thailand (L. Peerapat, Jiarapong Sangkawat, Navaphat Wongcharoen, Seree Phansomboon) took the bronze on 7:39.64s. Pencak silat exponents Rosli Mohd Sharif and Mohd Taqiyuddin Mohd won Malaysia's first ever seni doubles gold at the AUG.
The duo's routine scored 569 among the judges, giving them a close victory ahead of Indonesia's Haidir Agung Faletehan-Dede Setiadi who were just six points adrift.
Laos pair Singsouvong Alisack and Amphonh Khounchaleun took the bronze on 554. As expected,
Malaysia settled for bronze in both the men's and women's category of the badminton team event.
Both teams defeated Singapore in the third-place playoff with a 3-2 scoreline for the men and 3-1 for the women.
Malaysia lived up to expectations in the football competition, emerging champions of group 'B' with a 4-0 drubbing of Cambodia thanks to goals from Helmi Hariri Ibrahim, Muhd Naim Mukhtar, Mohd Hazizi Mazuki and Taufiq Mohd Zaki.
They will play either Myanmar or Timor Leste in the final four on Friday. Thailand face Singapore in the other semi-final.
The national contingent have won a total of six gold, three silver and four bronze medals at the games so far, with more expected from the pool as well as the shooting, fencing and athletics events which begin tomorrow.
Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/07/158093/asean-university-games-malaysian-swimmers-power-ahead-three-gold-medals
The Star : Malaysia add three more golds from the pool at Asean Uni Games
BY LIM TEIK HUAT
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia continued to make a splash in the pool, with the swimmers hauling in three more gold medals in the Asean University Games (AUG) at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore.
Erika Kong completed a breaststroke double when she won the women’s 50m final on Wednesday in 32.87 seconds.
Thailand’s Jenjira Srisa-Ard (33.15) took silver ahead of Indonesia’s Marga Kretapradani (33.92).
Erika, who bagged the 100m breaststroke gold medal on Tuesday, was happy to have contributed another gold for the nation in the biennial Games.
“I was nervous before the race, but I didn’t let it affect me. I’ve been competing against them since I was 15 at the SEA Games and other age-group meets. So, the competition is always close. I still have the 200m individual medley on Friday,” said 20-year-old Erika, who is from Sarawak.
Kevin Yeap earned his second gold as part of the successful 4x200m freestyle Malaysian quartet. The team of Keith Lim, Yeap Zheng Yang, Kevin and Foong Wei Tze clocked 7:34.21 to snatch the gold ahead of Indonesia (7:34.66) and Thailand (7:39.64).
Kevin came out tops in his pet event – 1,500m freestyle – on Tuesday to deliver Malaysia’s first gold.
Wong Fu Kang gave Malaysia the third gold of the day in the men’s 50m breaststroke event. In the final, the Johor-born Fu Kang touched the wall first in 28.91, not far off his national record of 28.67 which was set when he took silver for Malaysia at the same venue during the Singapore SEA Games last year.
Nathaniel Gagarin of Indonesia (29.08) took silver and his team-mate Dennis Josua (29.15) the bronze.
Khoo Cai Lin, Erika, Chris Tan and Chui Lai Kwan took bronze in the women’s 4x200m freestyle in 8:56.34.
The Malaysian contingent also bagged a gold in silat after Rosli Mohd Sharif and Taqiyuddin Hamid combined to win the men’s Ganda event (non-sparring).
Muhd Afifi Nordin took silver in the men’s Tunggal event (non-sparring).
Malaysia have won six golds, three silvers and four bronzes so far in the 11-nation AUG.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia continued to make a splash in the pool, with the swimmers hauling in three more gold medals in the Asean University Games (AUG) at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore.
Erika Kong completed a breaststroke double when she won the women’s 50m final on Wednesday in 32.87 seconds.
Thailand’s Jenjira Srisa-Ard (33.15) took silver ahead of Indonesia’s Marga Kretapradani (33.92).
Erika, who bagged the 100m breaststroke gold medal on Tuesday, was happy to have contributed another gold for the nation in the biennial Games.
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| Erika completed a breaststroke double when she won the women’s 50m final. She had won the 100m breaststroke gold on Tuesday. |
Kevin Yeap earned his second gold as part of the successful 4x200m freestyle Malaysian quartet. The team of Keith Lim, Yeap Zheng Yang, Kevin and Foong Wei Tze clocked 7:34.21 to snatch the gold ahead of Indonesia (7:34.66) and Thailand (7:39.64).
Kevin came out tops in his pet event – 1,500m freestyle – on Tuesday to deliver Malaysia’s first gold.
Wong Fu Kang gave Malaysia the third gold of the day in the men’s 50m breaststroke event. In the final, the Johor-born Fu Kang touched the wall first in 28.91, not far off his national record of 28.67 which was set when he took silver for Malaysia at the same venue during the Singapore SEA Games last year.
Nathaniel Gagarin of Indonesia (29.08) took silver and his team-mate Dennis Josua (29.15) the bronze.
Khoo Cai Lin, Erika, Chris Tan and Chui Lai Kwan took bronze in the women’s 4x200m freestyle in 8:56.34.
The Malaysian contingent also bagged a gold in silat after Rosli Mohd Sharif and Taqiyuddin Hamid combined to win the men’s Ganda event (non-sparring).
Muhd Afifi Nordin took silver in the men’s Tunggal event (non-sparring).
Malaysia have won six golds, three silvers and four bronzes so far in the 11-nation AUG.
The Star : No Sukma for Jinq En, but off to the Olympics!
BY LIM TEIK HUAT
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Kuching later this month is off limits to young swimmer Phee Jinq En now that she has made the cut under the Universality spot for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Jinq En secured her Olympic ticket in the women's 100m breaststroke after the aquatics governing body, FINA, allocated about 30 places for B qualifiers for the 26 individual events for swimming.
The fact that Singapore, the swimming powerhouse in the region, could not qualify a woman swimmer is an indication of the competitiveness of the sport.
Their top swimmer Quah Ting Wen, who splashed to four golds in the Singapore SEA Games last year, is taking up the wildcard ticket to swim in the 100m butterfly.
“It’s like a dream come true, seriously. I’ve been dreaming about it since I was a kid and everyone just laughed at me when I told them I wanted to go to the Olympics.
“I never thought I’d qualify. Even if you set a good time, there’s no guarantee you’d be able to go,” said Jinq En, who set the 100m breaststroke national record of 1:08.65 at the Malaysian Open in May.
She will join Welson Sim as the two Malaysian swimmers at the Rio Games. Welson qualified under the A category for men’s 200m and 400m freestyle.
Jinq En will now have to give up the chance of a breaststroke double for Selangor at the Sukma in Kuching as national coach Paul Birmingham Thomas plans to take her and Welson to Florida, the United States, next week for training.
“It’s (the Olympics) pretty special for me as I’ll get to see swimming legend Michael Phelps in the last race of his career,” said Jinq En.
“We will train at Fort Lauderdale. We’ll be there to adapt to the time zone before going straight to Rio.
“For the Olympics, if I can swim a personal best, or even close to it, would be good for me.”
With Jinq En confirmed and track sprinter Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli getting a wildcard to race in the women's 100m, Malaysia will have 32 athletes at the Rio Games.
THE 32 RIO-BOUND ATHLETES
Khairul Anuar Mohamad, Haziq Kamaruddin, Muhd Akmal Nor Hasrin (archery); Nauraj Singh Randhawa, Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli (athletics); Lee Chong Wei, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, Tee Jing Yi, Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (badminton); Pandelela Rinong, Wendy Ng Yan Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Ahmad Amsyar Azman, Ooi Tze Liang (diving); Azizulhasni Awang, Fatehah Mustapa (track cycling); Welson Sim, Phee Jinq En, Heidi Gan (swimming); Johnathan Wong Guangjie (shooting); Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy, Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif (sailing); Mohd Hafifi Mansor (weightlifting); Danny Chia, Gavin Kyle Green, Kelly Tan, Michelle Koh (golf).
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Kuching later this month is off limits to young swimmer Phee Jinq En now that she has made the cut under the Universality spot for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Jinq En secured her Olympic ticket in the women's 100m breaststroke after the aquatics governing body, FINA, allocated about 30 places for B qualifiers for the 26 individual events for swimming.
The fact that Singapore, the swimming powerhouse in the region, could not qualify a woman swimmer is an indication of the competitiveness of the sport.
Their top swimmer Quah Ting Wen, who splashed to four golds in the Singapore SEA Games last year, is taking up the wildcard ticket to swim in the 100m butterfly.
 |
| Jinq En holds the 100m breaststroke national record of 1:08.65. |
“I never thought I’d qualify. Even if you set a good time, there’s no guarantee you’d be able to go,” said Jinq En, who set the 100m breaststroke national record of 1:08.65 at the Malaysian Open in May.
She will join Welson Sim as the two Malaysian swimmers at the Rio Games. Welson qualified under the A category for men’s 200m and 400m freestyle.
Jinq En will now have to give up the chance of a breaststroke double for Selangor at the Sukma in Kuching as national coach Paul Birmingham Thomas plans to take her and Welson to Florida, the United States, next week for training.
“It’s (the Olympics) pretty special for me as I’ll get to see swimming legend Michael Phelps in the last race of his career,” said Jinq En.
“We will train at Fort Lauderdale. We’ll be there to adapt to the time zone before going straight to Rio.
“For the Olympics, if I can swim a personal best, or even close to it, would be good for me.”
With Jinq En confirmed and track sprinter Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli getting a wildcard to race in the women's 100m, Malaysia will have 32 athletes at the Rio Games.
THE 32 RIO-BOUND ATHLETES
Khairul Anuar Mohamad, Haziq Kamaruddin, Muhd Akmal Nor Hasrin (archery); Nauraj Singh Randhawa, Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli (athletics); Lee Chong Wei, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, Tee Jing Yi, Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (badminton); Pandelela Rinong, Wendy Ng Yan Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Ahmad Amsyar Azman, Ooi Tze Liang (diving); Azizulhasni Awang, Fatehah Mustapa (track cycling); Welson Sim, Phee Jinq En, Heidi Gan (swimming); Johnathan Wong Guangjie (shooting); Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy, Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif (sailing); Mohd Hafifi Mansor (weightlifting); Danny Chia, Gavin Kyle Green, Kelly Tan, Michelle Koh (golf).
Sunday, 10 July 2016
5th Selangor ARENA Short Course Sprint Invitational Swimming Championship 2016
We are pleased that IBSC has been extended the annual invitation again to the 5th Selangor ARENA Short Course Sprint Invitational Swimming Championship 2016, as a Guest Club.
The gist of the meet as below :
Host
|
:
|
Persatuan Renang Amatur
Selangor (PRAS)
|
Events
|
:
|
50m
& 100m – all 4 strokes & IM
200m -
freestyle & IM
4x25m
free & medley relays
4x50m
mixed free & medley relays
|
Date
|
:
|
26th
– 28th August, 2016 (Fri-Sun)
|
|||
Venue
|
:
|
Pusat
Akuatik Darul Ehsan
|
Pool
|
:
|
25m
competition pool
|
Start Time
|
:
|
8:00
am.
|
Registration Fee
|
:
|
RM35
per swimmer
|
Rules
|
:
|
Rules
and By-Laws of FINA
|
Entry Fee
|
:
|
RM6 per
event
|
Age as of
|
:
|
1
January, 2016
|
Closing Date
|
:
|
23
July, 2016 (IBSC)
|
Age Group
|
:
|
Open, Group
1, 2, 3 & 4
|
Team Manager
|
:
|
Mr Teo
Yong Jiew
|
IBSC’s Entry
|
:
|
60
selected swimmers only
|
Please download Invite and Meet Information here.
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 are advised to return their entry forms latest by 23 July, 2016 (Sat), before 5:00 pm., after lapse of which it is deemed that they are no longer interested and vacant place will be released to the reserved swimmer(s).
Team Briefing will be advised later.
Best Regards,
IBSC Swim Committee
Wednesday, 6 July 2016
The Star : Great Phee-ling! Jinq En splashes her way to Olympics
BY LIM TEIK HUAT
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will have a second swimmer going to the Rio Olympics next month.
The world governing body, FINA, have informed the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) that woman breaststroke specialist Phee Jinq En has also qualified for the Olympics under category B.
Jinq En is set to join Sarawakian Welson Sim in making their Olympic debut pending confirmation from FINA, who are finalising the list of Olympic qualifiers for the swimming competition, which takes place from Aug 6-13.
Swimming have a total quota of 900 athletes for the Olympics and a country can have two swimmers for each event.
“FINA informed us that we have one swimmer who has qualified with the fastest-ranked B time.
“We’re awaiting the announcement from FINA.
“We are also waiting to see if Welson wins an extra Olympic spot in the 1500m freestyle.
“He has already made the A time for the 200m and 400m freestyle,” said Asum secretary Mae Chen.
It will be a crowning moment for Jinq En, who has taken women’s breaststroke in Malaysia to new heights since bursting into the limelight at the Singapore SEA Games last year.
The Selangor-born swimmer marked her SEA Games debut by taking gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke in Singapore and erased Siow Yi Ting’s national record of 1:09.82, that stood for six years, by clocking 1:09.64 at the World Cup swimming meet in Dubai last November.
Three-time Olympian and the now-retired Yi Ting set the record at the 2009 Laos Sea Games with the now-banned hi-tech swimsuit fabric.
The 18-year-old lowered the national record to 1:08.99 when she returned to Singapore for the national age-group meet there in March.
Jinq En raised the bar to 1:08.65 when she won at the Malaysian Open in Bukit Jalil in May. Although it was outside the Olympic A time of 1:08.75, it was still good enough to put her on board to Rio de Janeiro.
Khoo Cai Lin was the only Malaysian swimmer at the last Olympics in London.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will have a second swimmer going to the Rio Olympics next month.
The world governing body, FINA, have informed the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) that woman breaststroke specialist Phee Jinq En has also qualified for the Olympics under category B.
Jinq En is set to join Sarawakian Welson Sim in making their Olympic debut pending confirmation from FINA, who are finalising the list of Olympic qualifiers for the swimming competition, which takes place from Aug 6-13.
Swimming have a total quota of 900 athletes for the Olympics and a country can have two swimmers for each event.
“FINA informed us that we have one swimmer who has qualified with the fastest-ranked B time.
“We’re awaiting the announcement from FINA.
“We are also waiting to see if Welson wins an extra Olympic spot in the 1500m freestyle.
“He has already made the A time for the 200m and 400m freestyle,” said Asum secretary Mae Chen.
It will be a crowning moment for Jinq En, who has taken women’s breaststroke in Malaysia to new heights since bursting into the limelight at the Singapore SEA Games last year.
 |
| Jinq En will join Welson Sim to the Rio Olympic Games. |
Three-time Olympian and the now-retired Yi Ting set the record at the 2009 Laos Sea Games with the now-banned hi-tech swimsuit fabric.
The 18-year-old lowered the national record to 1:08.99 when she returned to Singapore for the national age-group meet there in March.
Jinq En raised the bar to 1:08.65 when she won at the Malaysian Open in Bukit Jalil in May. Although it was outside the Olympic A time of 1:08.75, it was still good enough to put her on board to Rio de Janeiro.
Khoo Cai Lin was the only Malaysian swimmer at the last Olympics in London.
Saturday, 2 July 2016
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