Clos encounter ahead
Chance to meet idol an extra motivation for Chan Jie
PETALING JAYA: Swimmer Chan Jie wants to make a memorable debut in the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast next month and also catch up with his idol Chad le Clos – a multiple world swimming champion of South Africa.
The 22-year-old butterfly specialist knows he stands no chance against the world- class field of competitors which includes Ben Proud of Britain and Singapore’s Joseph Schooling, but insists there is plenty to swim for at the Optus Aquatic Centre from April 4-15.
He will be taking part in the 50m and 100m butterfly and aims to reach the semi-finals of both events.
“I’m looking to progress beyond the morning heats,” vowed Chan Jie.
“My aim is qualify for the semi-finals, to be among the top 16 swimmers of the two events I’m taking part in Gold Coast.
“It’s my first outing and also the biggest yet after the SEA Games. I hope to make it a memorable one.
“There will also be a chance to meet up with Chad le Clos, whom I look up to, so it’s going to be awesome.”
Chan Jie has a personal best of 24.80 and 54.00 for the 50m and 100m butterfly respectively.
At the Glasgow Games four years ago, the top-16 cut was made at 25.16 for the 50m and 54.62 for the 100m.
“I’ll have to at least try to improve on my best timings to be in contention for the top 16,” said Chan Jie.
“I’m pretty confident that I can further improve my timings, based on my recent performance during training.”
While Chan Jie has yet to break any of Daniel Bego’s individual national records, he did register his name in the Malaysian swimming record books for two relay events.
Chan Jie was part of the national quartet who posted a new mark of 3:21.79 en route to bagging the 4x100m freestyle relay silver in last year’s Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.
He also contributed to the 4x100m medley relay national record of 3:45.07, set also at the same Games.
Besides Chan Jie, the other four Gold Coast Games-bound swimmers are Welson Sim, Tern Jian Han, Keith Lim and sole women’s representative Caroline Chan.