Acid test in the pool
But Malaysian swimmers will answer challenge with confidence
THERE’s no doubt that Rio Olympic butterfly champion Joseph Schooling will create ripples in the pool when the swimming competition begins at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil today.
But that does not mean Malaysian swimmers are going to run and hide.
One man who is ready to steal the spotlight from Schooling is Welson Sim.
He is hoping to make history by winning three freestyle golds in the 200m, 400m and 1,500m.
Today, Welson will first bid to retain th he 400m title he won at the Singapore Games two years ago.
He has improved tremendously since setting the Games record of 3:53.97 in Singapore.
At the Mare Nostrum meet in France in June, Welson clocked 3:49.48 to beat reigning Olympic champion Mack Horton of Australia to the gold and erase his national record of 3:50.33 set at the National Age-Group Championships in Singapore last year. There’s also good news for Welson in his attempt to win his first 200m freestyle title as Schooling is not competing in the event. Welson could only get a bronze in the 200m freestyle at Singapore 2015.
HiHis strongest challenger now should be defend ding champion Huong Quy Phuoc. But at least t Welson has an edge, having clocked a bett ter time than the Vietnamese. Welson clocked a personal best 1:47.67 at the Rio Olympics last year while Quy Phuoc posted 1:49.87 at the World Aquatics Championships in Hungary last month.
The 1,500m freestyle will pose the biggest hurdle for the Sarawak-born Welson as he needs to mentally psyche himself up for the gruelling race.
This is the first time he is competing in the 1,500m.
“I’m targeting two golds from these Games but that doesn’t mean I won’t give my best to win a third in the 1,500m. It will be a bonus if I can get three golds,” said Welson, who is the only swimmer in the elite Podium Programme.
National coach Paul Birmingham admitted that it was tough for Welson to incorporate the 1,500m freestyle to his training programme for the 200m and 400m.
Phee Jinq En, meanwhile, could deliver a double joy for Malaysia in the women’s 50m and 100m breaststroke.
Jinq En is the defending champion in the 100m race and will be hoping to improve on the silver she won in the 50m distance in Singapore.
Schooling will be competing in his third SEA Games and has been entered in three individual events – 50m and 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle – and three relay events – 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle and 4x100m medley.
Singapore should come out tops again in swimming’s overall medal tally although they are not expected to repeat the 23-gold haul of two years ago.