Jinq En aims to keep Malaysia’s dominance in women’s breaststroke events

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia have never failed to win a women’s breaststroke gold – either in the 100m or 200m – in swimming at the SEA Games since 2009.

And Phee Jinq En (pic) intends to keep the proud streak going when competition gets under way on Aug 21.

She has slowly but surely readjusted to swimming in the long-course (50m) pool since returning home at the end of May after completing her freshman year in the United States.

Jinq En joined the Purdue University after competing in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics last August.

Although she competed actively at the college-level in the US, the competitions there were staged in short-course (25m) pools.

“I’m in better shape now than when I returned home at the end of May.

“I recently did 1:09 in simulation mode (for the 100m breaststroke). It’s where I hope I will be right before the SEA Games. My coach (Paul Birmingham) did a lot of speed work training after I rejoined the national team. Hopefully, I will be challenging strongly at the Games,” said the 19-year-old.

Jinq En, who will be defending her 100m breaststroke title, also has her eyes on winning the 50m race as well after settling for silver behind Singapore’s Roanne Ho two years ago.

The Selangor-born Jinq En holds the 50m (31.66) and 100m (1:08.65) breaststroke national records.

She was a revelation at last year’s Mare Nostrum Tour, setting a national record of 31.66 en route to winning the 50m breaststroke gold in the opening leg in Monaco.

Jinq En’s national 100m breaststroke record of 1:08.65, set during last year’s Malaysian Open, is still the fastest in South-East Asia.

Jinq En will also swim the 200m breaststroke at the KL Games but is not expected to challenge for gold.