Possible Sweep Of Women’s Breaststroke Titles Is The Best Malaysia Can Hope For

PALEMBANG: A possible sweep of the women’s breaststroke titles is the best Malaysia can hope for when the swimming competition begins at the Jakabaring Aquatic Centre here today.

The team will rue the absence of the inspiring Daniel Bego who smashed four Games records en route to a five-gold performance at the last Games in Laos to walk away with the Best Sportsman award in that edition.

But he is not here, on doctor’s advice, following shoulder operations a few months ago.

Daniel’s presence would have increased Malaysia’s chances of raking in one or two more golds – even if he is not in the best of physical conditions because he has always been a fighter and hates finishing second.

He could have possibly delivered one individual gold in the 200m butterfly and helped the relay team as well.

While Singapore, who have always looked at swimming as their biggest gold medal contributors, are expected to dominate in the pool, Malaysia will be counting on individual brilliance in order to meet a modest target of four golds.

The dependable Siow Yi Ting has just started swimming after a two-year lay-off to finish her studies and is not promising more than one gold medal, which is likely to come from the 200m breaststroke.

This leaves youngsters like Christina Loh, Foo Jian Beng and Yap See Tuan to hog the limelight.

Sixteen-year-old Christina enters her second Games with the fastest times in the 50m and 100m breaststroke races.

“I’m looking forward to swimming good times in the 50m and 100m breaststrokes. I have to be prepared for strong competition though, especially from the Singaporeans and Thais ... and not forgetting Yi Ting, of course,” said Penangite Christina.

The men’s competition could also see Jian Beng making a golden splash if he can rise to the occasion.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) secretary Edwin Chong said four months of training in the United States should do Jian Beng a lot of good.

“He is one swimmer with big potential, as he showed at the 2008 Sukma inTerengganu where he broke two national records (50m and 100m freestyle). But the problem with him is that he has never really been focused when it comes to training,” said Edwin.

“The four months away in US could make a difference as we hope he can spring a surprise here despite the stiff competition.”