Welson fails to qualify for men’s 400m freestyle final

WELSON Sim (pic) threw away a good chance to measure up against the best long distance swimmers in the world at the Asian Games in Jakarta.

The 21-year-old, who is Malaysia’s only swimmer under the Podium Programme, failed to qualify for the men’s 400m freestyle final after a poor effort in the heats at the Gelora Bung Karno Aquatic Centre yesterday.

Welson clocked 3:54.48 to finish ninth as China’s reigning Olympic champion Sun Yang, who is chasing his third gold, swam in the same heat and was fastest with 3:49.13.

It was Indonesia’s Prawira Aflah Fadlan, who managed to take the last spot for the final, finishing just ahead in 3:54.45.

Welson’s performance was a sur-prise as he entered the Asian Games as the SEA Games and national record holder with a time of 3:49.48.

Welson clocked 8:12.46 to improvee on his national record of 8:12.74 in the 800m freestyle, which is a non-Olympic event, on Monday.

Coach Paul Birmingham conceded his impending departure from the swimming team may have somehow affected Welson’s morale heading into the Asian Games. “It’s awful ... but expected. He has not put in the work lately and he knows it,” said Birmingham.

“It has been a tough time for him with me leaving (after the Asian Games).”

The Australian is optimistic Welson will move on from the setback.

“He has huge talent and this is just a bump in the road. How he responds to this is critical.

“He has to find that hunger to be the best again.”

Keith Lim and Foong Wei Tze finished 21st and 32nd respectively in the men’s 50m freestyle heats.

Keith, the national record holder with 23.10, clocked a creditable effort of 23.37 while Wei Tze posted 24.17.