Welson breaks his own national record Down Under.
PETALING JAYA: Swimmer Welson Sim warmed up for the Philippines SEA Games charge by posting a new national record in the men’s 400m freestyle en route to winning bronze in the Australian Short-Course Championships in Melbourne.
Welson posted 3:43.90 in what was a sprint to the finish line last night to smash his previous national mark of 3:48.93 set at the World Cup meet in Beijing, China in 2017.
The 22-year-old was in contention for the gold as he was leading at the midway stage but was just beaten to the wall by Australians Thomas Hauck and Brandon Smith.
Hauck took the gold with 3:43.38 ahead of Smith, who finished in 3:43.85.
Welson had already improved on the national record when he qualified for the top-eight final by posting the fourth fastest time of 3:48.26.
Reigning Olympic champion Mack Horton of Australian finished seventh in the final with 3:49.02.
The short-course championship is held in a 25-metre pool and it is an impressive effort from the Malaysian youngster as the Australian national meet is highly competitive by any standards.
Welson is training in Melbourne to prepare for the SEA Games where he will bid to defend his 200m and 400m freestyle titles (long-course) in the Philippines.
Welson also swam in the 100m freestyle event yesterday but did not make the final. He was placed 13th with 49.72.
Singapore’s Olympic butterfly champion Joseph Schooling continued to show his prowess in the pool when he won the men’s 100m freestyle event in 48.05.