Top Speed swimmers make solid start to new year
Top Speed Aquatic Swimming Club dominated the 23rd Miri Age Group Swimming Championships that ended at Naim Clubhouse Swimming Pool in Miri last Sunday.
The 64-strong team led by club head coach Allister Chung bagged 61 gold, 41 silver and 31 bronze medals to top the 14team competition that saw the participation of swimmers from Brunei, Sabah, Federal Territory of Labuan and Sarawak.
In second spot were Miri Amateur Swimming Association (Masa) with 27 golds, 25 silvers and 18 bronzes while Sea Dragon Swimming Club from Sabah finished third with 13 golds, 10 silvers and 11 bronzes.
Those occupying fourth to 12 positions were Persatuan Akuatik Labuan (5-14-11), Hammerheads Swimming Club of Brunei (5-0-2), Blue Dolphin Swim Club of Sabah (4-9-17), Sailfish Swimming Club (1-8-5),
Knewton Global Schools (1-1-3), Kelab Renang Pujut (0-6-5), Blue Marlin Swimming Club of Sabah (0-1-4), Dolphin Swimming Club of Brunei (0-1-3) and SS Swim Academy.
Two other teams SMK Chung Hua and Kbpiranha Swimming Team from Brunei failed to win any medal.
Top Speed coaches were David Chung and Henry Voon while the team manager was Loh Kui Ling who was assisted by Jaes Chen and Tina Tan Lee Ting.
“This is the best of starts for us to the new year and we are indeed proud and honoured to top the 14-team competition.
“Congrats to the team members and officials and we have managed to overcome all odds and challenges especially facing the stiff challenge from teams outside Miri,” said Allister.
“Adding the icing to the cake, we have five swimmers who won the best swimmer awards namely Ethren Ethanael Lim Churn (Boys Age 11-12), Bong Rui Jie (Boys Age 13-14), Naren Nathanael Lim Chern (Boys Age 15-17), Yuen En Chee (Girls Age 910) and Claire Lau Yu Rong (Girls Age 13-14).
“Apart from that, Ethren broke three individual records, Liysha Liung Chen and Claire Lau one each, and five team relay records,” added Allister.
Ethren was the toast of the team as he contributed 13 golds while Liysha and Naren won seven golds each and those bagging six golds were Claire Lau and Bong Rui Jie.
Allister said 27 of the club swimmers, including six debutants, will represent Masa in the Sarawak Age Group Swimming Championships at Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre this weekend.
A total of 251 swimmers took part in the three-day championships in Miri which was organised by Masa.
Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin closed the event on Sunday.