Bittersweet win for Welson in 200m freestyle
KUALA LUMPUR: Welson Sim was left with mixed feelings after splashing to a season best and a meet record in the 200m freestyle at the Malaysian Open swimming championships in Bukit Jalil.
The 21-year-old, swimming for Sarawak, won the event in an impressive 1:47.97 ahead of India's Sajan Prakash (1:51.44) and compatriot Yeap Zheng Yang from Selangor (1:52.77) at the National Aquatics Centre yesterday.
Welson's effort erased his previous mark of 1:48.50 set in the meet last year.
But it also left him asking himself why he couldn't produce that pace in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games last month.
"I could have entered the final in the Commonwealth Games with today's time," said Welson, who holds the national record of 1:47.36 set in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games last year.
"I actually did the same time during the Singapore National Age Group championships in March.
"So, I really don't know why I couldn't do it on the bigger stage last month.
"What surprised me more is that I'm not in my best condition this week due to a heel injury.
"Nonetheless, I'm so happy to swim this time today. It's definitely a very encouraging sign ahead of the Asian Games (in Jakarta from Aug 18-Sept 2)," he added.
Welson has set his sights on completing a freestyle treble when he competes in the 1,500m freestyle event today.
The SEA Games champion won the 400m freestyle on Thursday.
"I'm looking to win my third gold but I probably won't be too concerned about the timing. I don't want to push myself too much because of my injury," said Welson, who has a personal best of 15:28.34 in the 1,500m distance.