SEA GAMES: Teammate Rivalry

 
Christina denies compatriot Yi Ting a clean sweep of the breaststroke events

The national divers, who won seven gold medals at the Sea Games, arriving at KLIA from Indonesia yesterday.

Christina Low won the women's 50 metres breaststroke title to stop compatriot Siow Yi Ting's attempt at sweeping all three breaststroke gold medals at the Jakabaring Aquatic Centre yesterday.

The 16-year-old clocked 32.49 seconds to deny Yi Ting, who took silver in 32.81. Thailand's Pawapo Phiangkhwan claimed the bronze in 33.39. Yi Ting had won the 100m and 200m events and was hoping to complete a sweep by bagging the 50m.

But the day belonged to Christina, who has been rewriting her 50m national record since the start of the year.

"I'm quite happy with today's (yesterday) performance, especially winning my first Sea Games gold medal. I wanted to break my national record but it did not happen," said Christina.

"It was a tough race and beating Yi Ting in this event is good for my development as a swimmer. I will concentrate on the 100m race for next year's Malaysian Open, which is an Olympic qualifying event."

Yi Ting, however, could have done better if she had a longer break after her silver medal effort in the 200m individual medley race. She had less than 30 minutes to rest before she lined up for the 50m.

Kevin Yeap failed to add the 1,500m freestyle gold to his 400m freestyle win when he was edged by Singapore's Teo Zhen Ren, who clocked 15:44.32.

Kevin earned the silver in 15:53.79 followed by the Philippines' Ryan Arebejo (16:01.26).

Marellyn Liew won her third silver medal by recording 27.63, finishing behind Singapore's Asian Games champion Tao Li, who posted 26:59 in the women's 50m butterfly.

She had taken silver in the 100m butterfly and 4x100m medley last weekend.

Malaysia's Ian James Barr earned his first individual Sea Games title by clinching the bronze in the men's 200m individual medley by clocking 2:06.96.

Thailand's Netin Nuttaphon and Singapore's Joseph Schooling won the gold and silver respectively.

Foo Jian Beng led Malaysia to a bronze in the men's 4x100 medley at the expense of Singapore, who were disqualified.

Malaysia completed their campaign in the six-day competition with a haul of five gold, nine silver and three bronze medals. Singapore were crowned overall champions with 17 gold with seven of them coming from Tao Li.

Read more: SEA GAMES: Teammate rivalry - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/sea-games-teammate-rivalry-1.7669#ixzz1e1oGmxEy