Where it all began
James ready for a big splash at familiar ground
PETALING JAYA: Para-swimmer James Wong flew in from Adelaide, Australia to the city where he launched his swimming career looking to cap a memorable outing in the Asian Para Games starting tomorrow.
It was in Jakarta where James took the gold in the men’s SB8 (for swimmers with one limb) 50m butterfly at the Indonesia Asean Para Games back in 2011.
James was only 17 then and it was his first international medal.
James, now 24, has returned to the place where he earned his stripes and is looking for another major breakthrough.
James, who is studying in Adelaide is hoping to make his mark at the Asian Para Games.
“This will be my third Asian Para Games and I hope it will be my most memorable yet.
“I am competing in five events – the 200m individual medley, 100m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 100m breaststroke and 50m freestyle.
“I think I have the best chance to win a medal in the 200m individual medley. The 100m breaststroke is my strongest event but it’s going to be very tough as four of the swimmers in the field have competed at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and three of them are ranked in the world’s top 10.
“Swimmers from China and Japan will be the ones to beat but I am just focusing on clocking a good time as I can’t control what my competitors are going to do,” said James, who was born with part of his left arm missing.
James enjoyed a smashing campaign at the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games last year.
He erased the 12-year record en route to win- ning the men’s S8 100m butterfly race.
James also got a silver in the 200m individual medley and a bronze in the 100m breaststroke for a complete set of medals.
“I had a short training session in the morning and then went back to my room for a good rest.
“Hopefully, I will be in good condition when the competition starts on Sunday,” said James.