SWIMMING: Daniel's Low Key Return

TESTING THE WATER: Swimmer to gauge shoulders before attempting to qualify for Olympics

Daniel Bego has not swum in competitions competitively since undergoing surgery he was operated on both shoulders last April.

DANIEL BEGO will make his return to the pool after more than a year and attempt to qualify for the London Olympics at the three-day National Age-Group Championships, which begin today at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.

The 23-year-old, who starred with a five-gold feat at the 2009 Laos Sea Games, has not swum competitively since undergoing surgery on both shoulders last April to correct a long-standing bone spur problem.

Daniel returned to training last September and was hoping to compete in the Palembang Sea Games before he withdrew after a medical examination revealed his shoulders were not completely healed.

"I'm not setting targets in this competition as I've only started serious training a few weeks ago. It is more of a try-out to see where I stand," said Daniel in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

"I will not be too aggressive to avoid stressing my shoulders. I do feel a slight discomfort in my left shoulder but it is not serious."

Daniel, who holds three Sea Games records, will compete in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle races.

When asked whether he was clocking excellent times in training, Daniel said: "Honestly, I am more concerned about getting my strokes back.

"I am not at my best to clock good times and qualifying for the Olympics from this meet will be near impossible. I prefer to take things step-by-step as I do not want to put too much stress on myself.

"I am just testing myself and if I can do well then I plan to attempt qualifying for the Olympics in forthcoming meets," Daniel added.

Daniel made his Olympic debut in Beijing four years ago, where he swam in the 100m and 200m butterfly and 100m freestyle. His best performance was in the 200m butterfly where he finished 37th overall.

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