Oh! Danny Boy

KAMARUZAMAN AHMAD




DANIEL: Busy with exams

KUALA LUMPUR: Laos Sea Games Best Male Athlete, swimmer Daniel Bego, was a mere spectator on the final day of the 53rd Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) Championships in National Aquatic Centre yesterday.

He seemed to enjoy himself watching his teammates race. No swimmer — even the invited foreign legions from Hong Kong, Singapore and Iran — broke any of his records.

He was in the company of "Pei Ling" — a national synchronise swimmer.

Daniel opted out from the competition as he was in the midst of his A-level examinations from May 12 to June 10.

For that reason too, he will not be going to the United States next month to compete in regional championships in preparation for the Asian and Commonwealth Games.

Asum have named Siow Yi Ting and Khoo Cai Lin to compete. The former is already in US as she is studying there.

He said: "However, I still have to enter active competitions before the Games to test myself. For the moment, I am very busy with my studies.

“I will consult my coach Paul Birmingham.

“I do not wish to put too much pressure on myself and am not overly concerned about what lies ahead. I just want to do my level best.”

Daniel, who has not competed since the beginning of the year, said the exams were a blessing in disguise as it gave him the much-needed break.

In the pools, Hong Kong and Singapore stole the thunder from the Malaysians to emerge champions and runners- up respectively.

Hong Kong collected 10 gold, 17 silver and 15 bronze medals, with Singapore 9-4-3. Selangor came in third with 7-0-2.