CREATES HISTORY

First Malaysian to win titles in two different aquatics events

AJITPAL SINGH ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my

KEVIN Yeap created a unique history when he clinched the men’s 10km open water swimming race gold medal yesterday to become the first Malaysian to achieve titles in different disciplines in aquatics.

The 28-year-old produced a dominant display as he led from the start and when he crossed the finish line after the sixth lap he raised his fists in the air as a sign of victory.

Kevin finished the race in 2’03:18, followed by Thailand’s Peerapat Lertsathapornsuk (2’05:41) and Indonesia’s Aflah Fadlan Prawira (2’08:40).

Another Malaysian, Wong Jun Bin took sixth spot by clocking 2’12:26.

Kevin was a pool swimmer and became a national team member when he was 17-years-old.

His best achievement in pool swimming was winning the 400m freestyle gold medal at the 2011 Indonesia Sea Games, where he also took bronze in his first open water race.

After finishing the race yesterday, Kevin walked up to the mixed zone and told journalists that he is retiring for good from all swimming events.

Kevin had wanted to quit last year after failing to qualify for the Rio Olympics in the 400m and 1,500m freestyle events.

But national coach Paul Birmingham persuaded him to stay on and try out open water swimming for the Sea Games.

“Today was my last race in swimming. I did not hold back and rallied on even though I was already getting very tired,” said Kevin, who won the bronze medal in the same event at the Asian Open Water Championships in May at the same venue, yesterday.

“Why am I retiring at my peak? Birmingham told me to retire with glory and I am doing so today after winning the gold medal. It is my decision to quit.

“I wanted to retire after failing