Malaysian Divers Deliver Yet Again In SEA Games (updated)

Golden girls and boy. The Malaysian divers (from left): Leong Mun Yee, Ooi Tze Liang and Traisy Vivien Tukiet pose with their gold medal at the Singapore SEA Games on Sunday. - BERNAMA

SINGAPORE: Leong Mun Yee collected her 15th SEA Games gold medal after she partnered Traisy Vivien Tukiet to win the women's 10m platform synchro at the OCBC Aquatics Centre.

Mun Yee-Traisy finished the five-dive competition with 306.66 points ahead of Singapore’s Myra Lee-Freida Lim (238.59) and Thailand’s Jiratchaya Yothongyos-Surincha Booranapol (222.12) to take Malaysia's golden tally in diving to four.

Earlier, Commonwealth Games champion Ooi Tze Liang posted 473.55 points to retain his 3m springboard individual title. It was the second gold for Tze Liang, who partnered Chew Yiwei to win the 10m platform synchro on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Mun Yee, Malaysia’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony on Friday, and Tze Liang were whisked off after the prize presentation ceremony as head coach Yang Zhuliang refused to talk to the press.

But team manager Mae Chen later brought Traisy out to be interviewed.

Traisy was pleased to defend the 10m platform synchro gold for Malaysia.

Mun Yee partnered Nur Dhabitah Sabri to win the event at the last Games in Myanmar two years ago.

"I was nervous and afraid that I might disappoint my coach. But thankfully, I didn't do anything silly and we got the gold in the end," said Sarawak-born Traisy, who also paid tribute to Mun Yee for her guidance.

"This is my second SEA Games gold. I partnered Mun Yee to win the 10m platform synchro in Indonesia in 2011. She is very calm. I learn a lot from her as she has competed in many SEA Games,” said the 21-year-old Traisy, who competed in the 10m platform individual at the 2012 London Olympics.

Mun Yee made her SEA Games debut in Jakarta in 1997, but she only won her first medal in Brunei two years later by taking the silver behind compatriot Farah Begum Abdullah in the 3m springboard individual.

Mun Yee finally ended her gold drought in the 2001 Games in Kuala Lumpur. She was a revelation with a four-gold performance, winning the 3m springboard individual and synchro and the 10m platform individual and synchro. She defended her 10m platform individual title in Vietnam two years later.

Mun Yee then contributed two golds each in the next four Games in Manila (2005), Thailand (2007), Laos (2009) and Indonesia (2011).

Fu Kang Bags Malaysia’s First Swimming Gold (updated)

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

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.

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.

Double Delight From Divers In Singapore (updated)

SINGAPORE: Diving delivers again.

Cheong Jun Hoong retained her SEA Games women's 3m springboard individual diving gold medal at OCBC Aquatics Centre on the opening day of the competition on Saturday. She totalled 349.65 points for Malaysia's second gold medal at the Sinagpore SEA Games.

And moments later Ooi Tze Liang-Chew Yiwei got the second gold of the day for Malaysia in the 10m synchro platform. Indonesia's Andriyan Andriyan-Putra Adityo Restu won the silver while Thailand's Siriboon Theerapat-Juntaphadawon Yotsaw picked up the bronze. 

Wendy Ng Yan Yee made it a 1-2 for Malaysia in the 3m springboard with a silver. She posted 309.20 points.

The Wait Is Over For Yiwei At SEA Games

Malaysian divers Chew Yiwei (left) and Ooi Tze Liang after winning the 10m synchro platform event at the Singapore SEA Games on Saturday. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/ The STAR

SINGAPORE: That’s a weight off his shoulders.

Chew Yiwei’s finally got his hands on the SEA Games gold medal after winning the men's 10m platform synchro title with Ooi Tze Liang at the OCBC Aquatics Centre on Saturday.

And during the prize presentation, Yiwei kissed his gold medal immediately after it was placed on his neck.

Yiwei-Tze Liang finished the six-dive competition with 404.37 points to complete a double at the pool for Malaysia. Cheong Jun Hoong had successfully defended her women's 3m springboard individual title earlier.

Indonesia's Andriyan Andriyan-Putra Adiyto Restu took silver with 355.11 points as Thailand's Siriboon Theerapat-Juntaphadawon Yotsaw settled for the bronze with 316.77.

The 19-year-old Yiwei was delighted to stand on the top-step of the podium after taking bronze in his first SEA Games appearance in Myanmar two years ago.

“That bronze came from the 3m springboard individual .... my only event in Myanmar. I didn't train for the platform events then. It was worth the wait and I feel good now,” said the Klang-born Yiwei, who partnered Tze Liang to a bronze in 10m platform synchro at the Incheon Asian Games last September.

“I have to put my celebrations on hold for now ... I have the 10m platform competition coming up on Monday.

“We were not consistent today compared to our performance in the Asian Games but it's good enough for this level.”

Malaysia’s chase for diving gold continues on Sunday with Tze Liang and Mohd Syafiq Puteh competing in the men's 3m springboard individual and Leong Mun Yee-Traisy Vivien Tukiet taking part in the women's 10m platform synchro.

Three Cheers For Jun Hoong At SEA Games

National divers, Cheong Jun Hoong (right) and Wendy Ng with their gold and silver medal after completing the women's 3m springboard individual event at the Singapore SEA Games on Saturday. - BERNAMA

SINGAPORE: One was delighted. The other was frustrated.

That aptly describes the feelings of divers Cheong Jun Hoong and Wendy Ng Yan Yee.

Jun Hoong romped to a third successive SEA Games gold medal in the women’s 3m springboard individual at the OCBC Aquatics Centre on Saturday – at the expense of team-mate Wendy for the third consecutive Games.

Jun Hoong led from start to finish to secure the first diving gold for Malaysia. The 25-year-old had built up a 30-point lead heading into the last dive and she finished with a flourish to seal gold with 349.65 points.

Wendy has only herself to blame for not executing the second dive well. Her 309.20 total was only good for a silver.

Singapore’s Fong Kay Yian pipped Indonesia’s Eka Purnama Indah with her final dive to take bronze with 258.90 points.

Jun Hoong was relieved after succeeding in her bid to extend her winning streak in the 3m springboard individual.

She had finished ahead of Wendy in the same event at the last two SEA Games – in Palembang (2011) and Myanmar (2013).

“The coach was counting on us ... there was a bit of pressure. I had to execute every dive well. I knew Wendy would be my strongest rival but I wasn’t focusing on her. I was only thinking of my own dives,” said Perak-born Jun Hoong, a bronze medallist in the same event at the Incheon Asian Games last September.

Having won gold in the only event she’s competing in, Jun Hoong was quick to thank her coach Yang Zhuliang, her family and friends for their support.

“This gold medal would not have been possible without the help from the coaches,” she said.

Wendy tried to put on a brave face after claiming her third silver in as many Games.

“It’s another silver ...,” she lamented.

“I didn’t have a clean entry in the second dive ... I knew then that I had lost my chance. But it’s okay. I have to get over it and look to the 3m springboard synchro with Nur Dhabitah (Sabri) on Monday.”

Defending Champ Cai Lin Pulls Out Of 800m freestyle

BY LIM TEIK HUAT

Filepic of national swimmer Khoo Cai Lin.

SINGAPORE: Malaysia suffered a blow to their hopes of a gold medal start in swimming after Khoo Cai Lin pulled out from the women's 800m freestyle final scheduled for Saturday night. 

Cai Lin cited tonsillitis as the reason. She is the defending gold medallist in the event won in Myanmar two years ago. 

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

"I have been having tonsillitis before arriving here and have not recovered yet. 

"I used the 400 individual medley as a test to see how I was feeling but I could not breathe half-way through my event. Too bad this happened now," said Cai Lin.

She is slated for another event - the 400m freestyle on Wednesday. 

SEA Games: Sorry Start For Malaysia In Swimming

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

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.

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.”

SEA Games: Stage Is Set For Jinq En To Shine

Jinq En has a personal best of 1:10.75 in the 100m breaststroke.

SINGAPORE: Siow Yi Ting ruled the women’s breaststroke event over the last decade before Christina Loh took over the mantle from her in Myanmar two years ago.

When the swimming competition in the 28th edition of the SEA Games begin at the OCBC Aquatics Centre, it could be teenager Phee Jinq En’s turn to shine.

The 17-year-old, who only got into the national team last September, is capable of winning on her SEA Games debut if her latest times are any indication.

She will compete in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events, but it's in the shorter race that’ll be interesting for Malaysia.

Christina beat Yi Ting to the 50m breaststroke gold when it was last held in the SEA Games programme in Palembang in 2011, but the United States-based swimmer is not taking part in the event this time.

Jinq En and Sarawak-born Erika Kong are entered for the 50m breaststroke race this time while Christina focuses on defending the 100m and 200m breaststroke titles she won at the Myanmar Games two years ago.

“I have clocked good times in the 50m and 100m breaststrokes this year. I want to improve on my personal bests and get on the podium, but I don't want to put too much pressure on myself,” said Jinq En, who trained under former Olympian Marilyn Chua in Selangor before joining the Bukit Jalil programme under Australian Paul Birmingham Thomas.

Singapore's Roanne Ho and Thailand's Salubluek Chavunnoooch have the potential to deny Malaysia glory in the breaststroke races.

Jinq En is bound for the World Championships in Kazan, Russia, next month after clocking 1:10.75 – her personal best – in the 100m breaststroke at the Malaysian Open in Bukit Jalil in March. Her time is not far off Christina’s gold medal mark of 1:10.55 in the Myanmar Games.

Jinq En also posted a new meet record of 32.23 in 50m breaststroke at the National Age-Group Championships in Bukit Jalil in April. It was just 0.04 of a second off Christina's national mark set in 2012.

What makes her achievements all the more staggering is that she comes from a family of marathon runners!

"My family members are all active in marathons. But I’m not so good at running ... so, I gave swimming a shot when I was eight and I’ve love it since,” she said.