Sabah swimmers shine in Selangor age group meet
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Aquatic Sports Association (SASA) returned with 15 golds, 14 silvers and nine bronzes in the recent 33rd Selangor Age Group Swimming Championship.
Taking place at the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Centre, the state team was represented by swimmers from SASA affiliates across the state.
The medal winners for Sabah were Dayang Sari Abdullah with five golds and one bronze, Laura Lee Yen Nie (four golds, two silvers, one bronze), Ignacio Wong Hao Zhe (two golds, two silvers), Hannah Wong Ya Ting (two golds, one silver, one bronze), Chu Xin Ying (one gold, one silver), Tanner Joibi (one gold, one bronze), Alden Wilbern Liew Joon (two silvers, one bronze), Jeanna John Fabian (two silvers), Sharon Voon Xue Ru (one silver, one bronze), Ng Ze Heng (one silver), Sophie Yong Wan Fang (one silver) and one bronze medal each for Careyna Bulawan Joseph, Kester Kan Jun You and Shane Chong Kian Heuang.
The rest of the participants were Adriel Wan Joseph, Beverly Lai Mei Xi, Chua Yi Ern, Denise Koshy, Eva Coleman Maurice, Gabriella Tsen Baq Yin, Jarrel Joibi, Javier Jimmy Fabian, Jenibelle Jimmy Fabian, Kelvin Hon Lok Chou, Lee Ming Jie, Mia Coleman Maurice and Yong Leong Onn.
Team manager Mike Yap led the squad with coaches Elvin Chia and Benjamin Lee.
The championship was the last qualifying meet for the state before finalising the squad for the Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2024 in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, SASA president Daniel Lee congratulated the team for their effort and achievement, saying it was an encouraging sign and a good start to the year for the team.
In a statement yesterday, Daniel thanked Selangor Aquatics, formerly Persatuan Amatur Renang Selangor, its fellow member in Malaysia Aquatics, for the invite and the hospitality during the championship.
“It is always wonderful when our team get to attend different meets at different states, so our team can learn from things and areas where we can try to improve upon.
“Seeing 700 plus swimmers attending Selangor’s state level championships helps build a stronger foundation in their skills, which transcends to lap swimming training, creating a pathway and opportunity into elite swimming at state and national levels,” he said.
Daniel extended his note of thanks and appreciation to the Youth and Sports Ministry and Sabah Sports Council for their unwavering support to the association.