Loo the toast of Sabah swimmers at invitational c’ship
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah delivered a much improved performance with 11 gold, three silver and 15 bronze medals in the 54th Malaysia Invitational Age-Group (MIAG) Swimming Championship.
The total haul saw the 49member Sabah swimming squad finish third overall in the medal standing behind champions Selangor and Kuala Lumpur at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil over the weekend.
Loo Yie Bing was the toast of the state squad by winning all 10 of her individual events and also played an important role in contributing the 11th gold in a relay event.
Competing in Group IV (10-yearold and below), Yie Bing finished first in the 50-metre, 100-metre and 200-metre freestyle, 200-metre Individual Medley (IM), 50-metre and 100-metre butterfly, 50-metre and 100-metre breaststroke as well as 50-metre and 100-metre backstroke.
Two of the gold medals were also accompanied with a new meet record namely in the in the 100metre freestyle in 1.03.84s and the 50-metre freestyle in 29.73s.
Yie Bing then turned to the relay events and along with Beverly Lai Mei Xi, Sharon Voon Xue Ru, Annabelle Frederic won the 4x100metre gold.
Yi Bing also claimed a silver medal in the 4x50 Medley with Sharon, Denise Koshy, Sharon and Beverly.
Beverly also added four medals to her collection by winning one silver in the 50-metre butterfly and three bronze in the 100-metre butterfly, 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle.
Hollymax Bell, 19, contributed three bronze in the 50-metre, 100metre and 200-metre backstroke; Jay Lo Vui Seng, 12, two bronze in the 50-metre and 100-metre breaststroke; and Shane Chong Kian Heuang, 10, also with two third placed finishing in the 200-metre IM and 50-metre backstroke.
The other medallists were Loo Yie Cheng, 12, with a silver in 200-metre freestyle; Eddie Law Li Hui, 10, (bronze 100-metre breaststroke); Samuel Ng Chong Cheng, 11, (bronze 200-metre IM); Chu Xin Ying, 12, (bronze 800metre freestyle); Lo Meng Sum, 18, (bronze 400-metre freestyle).
The quartet of Yong Xin Ru, Sharifah Destinee, Bellina Mei Saario and Xin Ying also won bronze in the 4x100-metre freestyle relay.
Sabah Aquatic Sports Association (SASA) president Anthony Kiob was pleased with the improved performance and achievement, which he attributed to the swimmers' and coaches' commitment working as one team with a strong spirit.
“Our swimmers are progressing well under the good leadership of our coaches...most importantly the swimmers are mentally prepared to accept new challenges in the near future.
“The coaches also always equip themselves with good skill and knowledge in their coaching and work closely with each other for the best of Sabah,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Anthony went on to say that 17 Sabah swimmers also received recognition based on their MIAG achievement from the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) under the Malaysia Swimming All Star Programme.
The athletes who reached the qualification time standards were Yipp Chi Tong, Samuel, Sharifah, Adrian Frederic, Wong Hsiao Thang, Janetty John, Cheng Ka Man, Shane, Eddie, Beverly, Jay, Xin Ying, Xin Ru, Shawn Voon Xuan Qing, Yie Bing, Yie Cheng and Yong Zi Yi.
“I hope the swimmers continue to commit themselves and work hard for their best,” said Anthony.
Towards this end, Anthony thanked the Sabah Sports Council (SSC) for the continuous support and financial assistance given for all Sabah aquatic sports.
Apart from that, he also acknowledged the sponsors including Life Water Industries (k2) Sdn Bhd, swimshop2u of Metrotech Technology (FINIS) and Persatuan Renang Daerah Penampang who contributed the team t-shirts, banner, swim cap and some swimming products respectively to the state MIAG squad.
For the record, the ASUMorganised championship attracted 690 swimmers from 22 teams , including international entries, and contested in five categories including Open (above 17 years), Group I (15-17 years), Group II (13-14 years), Group III (11-12 years) and Group IV (10 years and below).
The Sabah team's manager was Sanctuson Gan, the head coach was Benjamin Lee and assisted by Tie Mee Kiong while SSC coach Sean Goh also travelled with the squad. Daniel Lee was involved in the technical side to officiate in the championship.