KUALA LUMPUR: Khiew Hoe Yean made history on Friday as the first Malaysian swimmer to secure the A qualifying time for the Thailand Sea Games at the Malaysian Open Swimming Championships.
The Kuala Lumpur-born, who claimed the men’s 100m freestyle and backstroke titles on Thursday, added a third gold to his collection with a dominant performance in the 200m freestyle.
He clocked 1:48.46, surpassing the 1:49.31 Sea Games qualifying mark at the National Aquatics Centre in Bukit Jalil.
Meanwhile, national swimmer Jayden Tan also secured early qualification for both the 2025 World Aquatics Championships and the Thailand Sea Games.
Representing KL, Jayden bagged gold in the 400m individual medley, clocking 4:26.44 on the second day of the Championships.
Although he missed his personal best of 4:23.24, Jayden met the B qualifying time of 4:36.04 for the Sea Games and 4:26.49 for the World Aquatics Championships.
Only one swimmer per nation can compete in each event at the World Championships.
Hong Kong’s Shun Wang took silver with 4:29.56, while Liew Zeng Wye of Selangor completed the podium in third with 4:46.15.
The World Championships will take place in Singapore from July 11-Aug 3, while the Sea Games will be held in Thailand from Dec 7-19.
“Overall, I think it was pretty good. My main goal coming into this meet was to qualify for the Sea Games and World Championships, which I fortunately achieved,” said Jayden after his victory.
Despite the early qualification and his gold medal, Jayden remains focused on improvement.
“I wouldn’t say it’s perfect. There is no perfect race.
“I’d give it an 8 or 9 out of 10, but I don’t believe in perfect races. There’s always something to fix after every race, and that’s where you improve.”
Results
Men’s 50m backstroke: 1 Samiul Rafi (Ban) 26.83s, 2 Teoh Kar Chuan (Sel) 26.95, 3 Jeff Chua (Swk) 26.96;
100m breaststroke: 1 Likhith Selvaraj Prema (Ind) 1:02.32, 2 Yik Ki Tsui (Hkg) 1:02.48, 3 Cham Yu Xiang (KL) 1:03.63;
200m freestyle: 1 Khiew Hoe Yean (KL) 1:48.46, 2 Surasit Thongdeang (Tha) 1:50.82, 3 Dhuha Zulfikry (KL) 1:50.90′
400m individual medley: 1 Jayden Tan (KL) 4:26.44, 2 Wang Yi Shun (Hkg) 4:29.56, 3 Liew Zeng Wye (Sel) 4:46.15.
Women’s 50m backstroke: 1 Flairene Candrea (Ina) 29.63, 2 Chong Xin Lin (KL) 30.07, 3 Audia Adelia Chantika (Ina) 30.64;
100m breaststroke: 1 Wui Kiu Man (Hkg) 1:09.56, 2 Claire Chung (Hkg) 1:10.25, 3 Phee Jinq En (Sel) 1:11.29;
200m freestyle: 1 Nicholle Toh (Sin) 2:06.09, 2 Serenna Karmelita Muslim (Ina) 2:08.59, 3 Lynna Yeow (Mel) 2:09.85;
400m individual medley: 1 Lam Hoi Kiu (Hkg) 5:00.07, 2 Shannon Tan (Sel) 5:11.46, 3 Kelly Teo (Swk) 5:14.34;
4x100m freestyle: 1 Selangor 4:00.63, 2 Kuala Lumpur 4:05.44, 3 Penang 4:06.84.
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