Desmond picked up silver to break the medal drought in 8th Asean School Games 2016

The Malaysian swimmers participating in the 8th Asean School Games (ASG) 2016 in Chiang Mai, Thailand this week has not been delivering so far in the highly competitive school games until Desmond Ng Yi Hao broke the medal drought on day 3, by claiming silver in his pet event, 200m breaststroke.

Desmond, 17, swam 2:22.09 behind Indonesian Trimudzi Ilham who finished first at 1:19.05. The second runner-up is also Indonesian, Pande Made Iron with a time of 2:22.97.

Desmond is ecstatic with his achievement but still feels that he could have done better as his PB was 2:20.84 clocked in last year's MSSM School Games 2015.

Congratulations to Desmond!

Meanwhile, keep the spirit up and hopefully other team members will also produce some sparkling results soon.

This year, the ASG clashes head on in the same week with SUKMA XVIII 2016 in Kuching, Sarawak. As most elite swimmers opt to do their best in defending their respective states in Sukan Malaysia, the second tier team is left to defend the country in Thailand.

All the best to all.

The Star : Tia'a sinks his Faang in another national record

BY TAN MING WAI

Faang Der in jubilant form after winning the men's 200m butterfly at Sarawak Aquatics Centre. - GLENN GUAN / The Star

KUCHING: Breaking long-standing records is fast becoming Johor swimmer Tia’a Faang Der’s speciality.

The 19-year-old shattered the 16-year-old 200m Sukma butterfly record on his way to the gold medal at the Sarawak Aquatics Centre in Petra Jaya.

Faang Der’s superb effort of 2:02.93, which earned him the second gold of his campaign, broke Lim Keng Liat’s mark of 2:03.91 set at the 2000 Games in Penang.

Last December, Faang Der erased the 18-year-old 400m individual medley national record of 4:32.75 set by Wan Azlan Abdullah at the 1997 SEA Games in Jakarta with a 4:32.49 time during the South East Asia Age Group swimming championships in Vietnam.

“I was confident of winning the race but breaking Keng Liat’s record was surely not in the plan,” said Faang Der, who also clinched the 400IM title on Saturday.

“The 200m butterfly and 400IM are my pet events, so having won the two, I have already accomplished my goals for this Sukma.”

Three meet records fell on Monday, the third day of the swimming competition.

Selangor’s Shaun Yap and Christina Loh of Federal Territories won the men’s and women’s 50m breaststroke races in new meet record times.

Shaun touched the wall in 29.31 to better his own record of 29.52 set in Perlis two years ago. Christina beat her 2012 Pahang Games mark of 33.40 with a 33.29 timing.

Selangor’s quartet of Chan Jie, Daniel Lim Jun Liang, Yeap Zheng Yang and Jordan Yip set the other record in retaining the men’s 4x100m freestyle gold medal in a new Games record of 3:28.22.

Zheng Yang and Chan Jie were two members of the team who set the record of 3:30.39 in Perlis.

Hosts Sarawak were also in gold hunting mood as their star Angela Chieng retained her 200m butterfly and 800m freestyle titles.

The Star : The proof's in the pudding as Ching Hwang breaks national record

BY TAN MING WAI

Lim Ching Hwang

KUCHING: Taking up the 200m individual medley (IM) as an additional event paid dividends for Federal Territories swimmer Lim Ching Hwang.

The 20-year-old, more well-known as a freestyle sprinter, showed his prowess in the multiple-stroke discipline by breaking his own national record at the Sukma.

The United States-based Ching Hwang clocked 2:04.77 to smash his previous mark of 2:04.89 in an invitational event at the Ohio State University last November.

Selangor’s Jordan Yip finished second in 2:08.81 while Eric Tan of Sabah clocked 2:11.38 to finish third.

The fact that Ching Hwang was able to smash the national record just days after recovering from an illness made the feat even more remarkable.

“I’m very happy with this victory and a new national mark,” said Ching Hwang.

“I was down with fever and sore throat last week. I was on antibiotics and couldn’t train for several days. This win is just so special,” added the 2013 Asian Youth Games gold medallist.

Keith Lim, also from FT, was the other record breaker of the day. The 19-year-old touched the wall in 50.77 in the 100m freestyle to better the previous Sukma record of 50.94 set by Foo Jian Beng at the 2008 Terengganu Sukma. It was Keith’s first individual triumph in three Sukma appearances.

Selangor continued to dominate as they bagged four more golds through Chan Jie (men’s 50m butterfly), Yap Siew Hui (women’s 50m butterfly), Jordan Yip (men’s 200m backstroke) and Nadia Adrianna Redza (women’s 200m).

Erika Kong claimed Sarawak’s first swimming gold after she triumphed in the women’s 200m individual medley.

Penang also opened their gold account – courtesy of Elynn Tan’s 100m freestyle triumph.

Team WIPERS pocketed 2 meet and national records on day 2 of SUKMA

The day 2 of SUKMA Games in Stadium Akuatik Sarawak, Petra Jaya witnessed 2 records being smashed by the KL boys.

Keith Lim who signed up for the 100m freestyle together with team member, Lim Ching Hwang, did the KL team proud when he touched the wall first to scoop up not only a gold but he erased Foo Jian Beng's 2008's meet record of 50.94 with a new time of 50.77.

Chan Jie of Selangor came in second (51.40) followed closely by Ching Hwang (51.76).

Medalists of Men's 100m freestyle event

Keith getting an incentive from Pengarah MSWP, En. Razlan (left)

Keith was again in head-on race with Chan Jie (Sel) in the 50m butterfly event, where he gave in narrowly to a silver (25.26) whilst Chan Jie secured the gold (25.18). The bronze went to Alwyn Tan (Pen).

Meanwhile, Ching Hwang never let the KL team down as he cruised with confidence and was leading in every lap in the 200m IM event to renew his own national record of 2:04.89 to a faster time of 2:04.77. Jordan Yip (Sel) captured silver with 2:08.91 whilst the bronze fell to Eric Tan (Sbh) at 2:11.38.

Lim Ching Hwang renewed his own national record time for 200m IM (2:04.77)

Ong Ming Fen, who is still nursing her ankle injury could only be contented with 2 silver for the day.

Ming Fen swam to second position at 59.65 in the women's 100m freestyle narrowly missing the gold after swimming neck to neck with Elynn Tan (Png) who won with 59.37. Chris Tan (Sbh) took bronze after finishing at 59.80.

In the women's 200m IM, Ming Fen again settled for silver when she registered 2:28.32 after Erika Kong (Swk) surpassed the pack with a winning time of 2:23.75. Ong Yong Qi (Jhr) attained third position at 2:29.88.

Congratulations to all winners! Well done too to IBSC swimmers who managed to better their PBs in SUKMA 2016.

The 2nd day results of SUKMA XVIII Sarawak 2016 can be downloaded here.

See more photos at IBSC Gallery

* photos courtesy of Mrs Carrina Goh, Pn. Suraya & Ms Sharon Koay

Results of Asean School Games 2016, Chiang Mai - Day 2, 24 July 2016

The NST : (Sukma) Ching Hwang shatters own 200m national swimming record

BY FADHLI ISHAK - 24 JULY 2016 @ 8:55 PM


KUCHING: Federal Territories swimmer Lim Ching Hwang erased his own national record in the men's 200m individual medley at the Malaysia Games swimming competition today.

The United States-based Ching Hwang clocked 2:04.77 seconds en route to victory at the Sarawak State Aquatics Complex, bettering the old record of 2:04.89s which he set last year.

Ching Hwang had actually managed a faster time at the Bahamas Nationals last month where he clocked 2:03.86s.

The Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM), however, does not recognise that time as the national record as they are unsure of whether the timing system used meets their requirements.

Ching Hwang had earlier today clocked 51.76s to finish third in the 100m freestyle.

FT teammate Keith Lim won the gold in a new meet record time of 50.77s while Selangor's Chan Jie (51.40s) took silver.

The former 100m freestyle games record of 50.94s was set by Johor's Foo Jian Beng at the 2008 edition of the games in Terengganu.



Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/07/160438/sukma-ching-hwang-shatters-own-200m-national-swimming-record

Results of Asean School Games 2016, Chiang Mai - Day 1, 23 July 2016

Christina Loh won first gold for WIPERS in SUKMA 2016

The travel back from the US is well worth the trip for Christina Loh as she won the first gold for Team WIPERS (Wilayah Persekutuan) in her pet event of 100m breaststroke in Kuching, Sarawak on the first day of the bi-annual swimming championship, yesterday.

Christina clocked 1:12.32 to win gold followed by Koh Jia Yi (Sel) 1:12.89 and Caryn Kay Chan (Trg) took bronze at 1:15.38.

Christina, leading in the 100m breaststroke

Christina Loh (centre) flanked by Koh Jia Yi (Sel) on left and Caryn Kay Chan (Trg) 

Meanwhile in the earlier first 2 events of the opening day, Ong Ming Fen who also flew back from the US managed a bronze in her 200m freestyle event by finishing closely with  a time of 2:08.73. The event was led by Rosalind Pang (Sel) and Chris Tan (Sbh).

In the men's 200m freestyle, Keith Lim, settled for silver with a time of 1:54.47 as Yeap Zheng Yang (Sel) emerged first with 1:52.29.

Keith also came second in his 50m backstroke (27.37) after Tern Jian Han (Jhr) renewed his meet record time of 26.57.

Men's 200m freestyle medalists with Keith Lim on left

Another IBSC swimmer, Wong Jun Bin, based in Singapore Sports School, managed a bronze in 400m IM.

Men's 400m IM winners

The first day results of SUKMA XVIII Sarawak 2016 can be viewed here.

Congratulations to all medalists.


See more photos at IBSC Gallery.


* photos courtesy of Ms Carrina Goh & Pn. Suraya

The Star : There's no stopping Fu Kang as he breaks Sukma record

BY TAN MING WAI

KUCHING: Top national breaststroke swimmer Wong Fu Kang of Johor has shattered yet another of Elvin Chia's long-standing record.

Fu Kang in action in the 100m breaststroke event at the Sarawak Aquatics Centre in Petra Jaya. - FAIHAN GHANI / The Sta

This time, it was Elvin's Sukma mark in the 100m breaststroke that stood for 20 long years.

At the Sarawak Aquatics Centre in Petra Jaya, Fu Kang defended his gold in the event with relative ease – touching the wall with his season best 1:03.05 to better former Asian Games bronze medallist Elvin’s 1:04.46 set at the 1996 Pahang Sukma.

Fu Kang’s effort, however, is way off his own national mark of 1:02.47 that he set on his way to winning the SEA Games gold medal in Singapore last year.

Still, it was a day to cherish for the Phuket-based swimmer, who has struggled to impress this year and failed to make the grade for the Olympics.

“It was a huge relief ... it’s been a while since I swam this fast,” said Fu Kang, who had also wiped off Elvin’s 15-year-old national record in the same event at the Malaysian Open in March last year. Fu Kang had clocked 1:02.56 to erase Elvin’s old mark of 1:02.59.

“I’m lost for words as to how to explain my recent loss of form. It could be due to my studies, I don't know. But today’s win has restored my confidence.
“It’s always a great honour to beat Elvin’s records. I'm hoping to break another of his record ... this time in the 200m breaststroke (on Thursday).

“If I can swim my personal best 2:18, I believe I have a shot at breaking another of his 20-year Games mark (2:19.17).”

Three more meet records tumbled on the opening day of the swimming competition.

FT’s' Christina Loh clocked 1:12.32 to win the women’s 100m breaststroke and rewrite her own mark of 1:12.41 set at the Pahang Sukma in 2012.

Tern Jian Han of Johor and Caroline Chan of Selangor also joined in the record-breaking party on their way to capturing the men and women’s 50m backstroke.

Jian Han posted 26.57 to shatter Ian James Barr’s four-year-old mark of 26.86 while Caroline clocked 30.18 to erase her previous effort of 30.34 also set in 2012.

Selangor bagged four of the eight gold medals on offer yesterday. Apart from Caroline, their other golds came from Yap Zheng Yeang (men’s 200m freestyle), Rosalind Pang (women’s 200m freestyle) and Nadia Adrianna Redza (400m individual medley).

Tia'a Faang Der bagged Johor’s third gold of the day in the 400m IM.

Eight more gold medals are on offer on Sunday.

The Star : Sukma: Let the Games begin!

BY LOGANATH VELLOO

Sarawak contingent during the opening ceremony at the Sarawak Stadium in Kuching on Saturday. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The StarKUCHING: The 18th edition of Sukma was officially declared open by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud in a colourful and glittering ceremony at the Sarawak Stadium in Kuching.

The ceremony on Saturday night brought to the fore the Borneo state’s rich history, culture and natural beauty.

A downpour, which began several hours before the pre-ceremony entertainment began, did not dampen the spirit of the over 40,000 Sarawakians, who had braved the bad weather to witness the event.

The carnival-like atmosphere inside and around the arena had begun hours earlier, with parking spaces around the stadium beginning to fill up from 10am.

The main dignitaries at the ceremony were Taib Mahmud and his consort Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib, Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

The show kicked off with an eight-minute “Beautiful Sarawak” performance.

More than 5,000 schoolchildren from 30 schools in Kuching were involved in the staging of the engaging show.

The performances highlighted the diverse ethnicity and traditions that are unique to the Land of the Hornbill.

The opening ceremony showcased the "Beautiful Sarawak" performance highlighting the diverse ethnicity and traditions that are unique to the Land of the Hornbill. - FAIHAN GHANI / The Star

The musical was followed by the marching in of the 15 participating contingents – Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Malacca, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor, Sabah, Federal Territories, Brunei and Sarawak.

The biggest roar of support from the crowd was reserved for the host state’s contingent, the last to march past in their smart red outfit.

Following speeches from Khairy and Adenan, a video montage encompassing the highlights of the journey undertaken during the Sukma Baton Run was displayed.

More than 8,000 people were involved in the Baton Run, which began on March 13 in Lawas and traversed major towns and villages across the sprawling state before ending at the stadium last night.

Past and present sporting heroes from Sarawak – Matjedi Bueng (hockey), Jahan Nor (football), Law Kiu Ee (athletics), Ramli Ahmad (silat), Wong Tee Kui (athletics), Sapok Biki (boxing), Edmund Yeo (weightlifting), Jonathan Ding (bowling), Zainuddin Sidi (boxing), Rosatimah Mohamad (diving), Fazillah Sylvester Silin (hockey), Kimbeley Yap (triathlon), Brian Nickson Lomas (diving) and Tania Bugo (swimming) – were given the honour to participate in the final leg of the Baton Run around the stadium’s running track.

A burst of fireworks lit up the sky immediately after the Games was declared open by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

A rendition of the Sukma 2016 official song Semangat Dalam Satu Suara (The Spirit of One Voice) was performed by Sarawak-born artiste Bob Yusof.

Also making an appearance were the Games mascots – Satria and Satrina, a pair of hornbills clad in the Sarawak official colours of yellow, red and black.

Although the Games only officially began on Saturday, the chase for the medals had started since Wednesday, and will continue until the closing on July 31.

This is the second time that Sarawak are hosting the biennial Sukma. The first time was in 1990.