Swimmer Kevin Believes He Can Erase Long-standing Record

PETALING JAYA: London Olympics hopeful Kevin Yeap Soon Choy has set his sights on erasing the longest standing national swimming record before the year is over.

The 22-year-old middle and long distance swimmer looks set to board the plane to London as the only male swimmer to make the Olympic invitational time.

Kevin: ‘To go after the national record gives me the motivation now.’ 

Jeffrey Ong splashed to 15:23.61 en route to winning silver at the World University Games in Sheffield in 1991 and his national mark has stood unchallenged over the years.

It is not surprising as it was an Asian class time at that time and Jeffrey remains the only Malaysian swimmer to bag a medal at the World University Games.

Kevin trimmed his personal best further by posting 15:32.51 en route to winning the 1,500m freestyle at the Malaysian Open in Bukit Jalil recently.

It takes a lot of hard work and determination to stay committed to middle and long distance swimming.

Kevin can now see the results after grinding it out in the national squad for the last few years and the 400m freestyle SEA Games gold medallist wants to better Jeffrey’s mark.

“To go after the national record gives me the motivation now. It’s within reach, just nine seconds off my personal best.

“I hope to get it by the Olympics and will continue to train hard as I want to make the cut for the 400m freestyle, which I’m close to achieving,” said Kevin has been singled out by national coach Paul Birmingham as the most deserving to take the wildcard slot for one male swimmer in the event.

Swimmers who make the Olympic invitational time must improve on their times by the end of June to stand a better chance of making it from the rankings list.

Those who beat the Olympic selection time are assured of places with a country limited to two swimmers.

Kevin has a shot at breaking Jeffrey’s national mark when he goes for the inaugural South-East Asia swimming championships in Singapore from June 13-17.

Kevin first dipped under the Olympic invitational time of 15:43.74 when he posted 15:40.54 at the Singapore national age-group meet in March.

Besides Kevin, four women swimmers have made the Olympic invitational time so far.

They are Khoo Cai Lin (400m and 800m freestyle), Siow Yi Ting (100m and 200m breaststroke), Christina Loh (100m breaststroke) and Chui Lai Kwan (50m freestyle).