Heidi splashes to historic medal at Asian Open Water meet

PUTRAJAYA: Heidi Gan (pic) warmed up for the KL SEA Games by making a splash for Malaysia at the Asian Open Water Swimming Championships in Putrajaya Lake.

Heidi, who is based in Perth, became the first Malaysian to win an Asian championships medal after finishing third in the women’s 5km event yesterday.

The 28-year-old completed the race, held under calm but hot conditions, in 1’05:03.586.

It was a 1-2 for Japan, thanks to Yumi Kida ( 1’ 03: 40.600) and Yukimi Noriyama (1’03:47.313).

Although the 5km distance will not be contested at the KL SEA Games in August, Heidi was delighted to emerge as the best-placed swimmer from the region.

Chantal Liew of Singapore was the next best finisher from South-East Asia in sixth spot, followed by Thailand’s Neelanuch in 11th.

Singapore’s Chin Khar Yi was 12th and Thailand’s second representative Pattarakan Sriyong 13th.

Malaysia’s second entry – Angela Chieng – was disqualified from the race for technical infringement.

“I came back to swim here as it’s the same course for the SEA Games. It’s a good sign for the SEA Games and it’s good to get a medal.

“The field is not big but still competitive. The winner from Japan was ranked 12th in the 10km event at the Rio Olympics last year.

“It was tough out there and really hot. The last time I swam in these kind of conditions was at the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia ... so, it was a big challenge,” said Heidi, who works in a corporate law firm.

Heidi, a two-time Olympian and double gold medallist in open water swimming at the 2011 SEA Games, will have a day’s rest before returning for the 10km race tomorrow.

National swimmer Welson Sim finished a creditable fifth in the men’s 5km event in 1’02:46.880.

Japan also made it a 1-2 finish in the men’s race through Yasunari Hirai (1’00:28.953) and Yohsuke Miyamoto (1’00:38.260).

Yasunari finished eighth in the 10km event in the Rio Olympics.