KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian contingent came close to achieving their overall target of 15 gold medals, by bagging 11 on the first day of the 33rd Southeast Asia (SEA) Age Group Swimming Championship, held at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

In the opening day of the championship, young and budding Malaysian swimmers bagged 11 gold and set five new championship records.

“It was a good achievement for our young swimmers. They almost achieved the overall target set by the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) on the opening day itself.

“Thus far, we are just three gold medals adrift of the current leaders Thailand and the target and we hope they will maintain their performance in the next two days,” said Asum honorary secretary Edwin Chong when met by Bernama after the event.

After completing yesterday’s competition, Malaysia finished in second position with 11 gold, eight silver and five bronze, while Thailand top the leaderboard with 14 gold, nine silver and eight bronze.

Singapore are third with five gold, six silver and six bronze.

The five new championship records were set by Christina Loh Yen Ling (50m breaststroke), Cheng Karmen (100m backstroke) and Hii Siew Siew (100m butterfly) in the Girls Group 2 and Ian James Barr (100m backstroke), Adam Lim (100m butterfly) of the Boys Group 2.

For Adam, 14, who celebrates his birthday in two weeks, breaking the record was an exciting affair as it turned out to be an advance birthday gift.

He clocked 58.55 seconds to erase the 58.60s record held by Thailand’s Nattapon Chavanichwoot since 1993.

“I’m very happy and excited. Actually, I was confident of breaking the championship record as my best time for the event is 58.44s, set in the national age group championship held in Shah Alam last April,” he said.

“I hope to break another record tomorrow in the 50m butterfly event,” said Adam, who hopes to do well in the upcoming Asian Youth Games in Singapore from June 29 to July 7.

Meanwhile, Cheng was equally delighted with her current performance and hoped she would be selected for the Laos SEA Games in December.

“I’m very happy because I managed to improve my time and set a new record. It’s been a long time since I had wanted to improve my timing in 100m backstroke event. For that, I would like to thank my coaches and parents for supporting me.

“I hope to do well again in another competition and hope to qualify for the SEA Games 200m backstroke,” said the SMJK Ave Maria Convent, Ipoh form three student.

Cheng was also among the 12 swimmers selected for the Asian Youth Games.

Thirty-two more events will be contested today.

— Bernama