SWIMMING: Vernon Leads The Way

RECORD BREAKER: Sets new time in 200m freestyle, anchors Sarawak to relay gold

The Sarawak relay team with their gold medals at the Wisma Belia Aquatic Centre yesterday. Pic by Afif Abd Halim

SARAWAK'S Vernon Lee had a stellar outing at the Malaysia Games swimming competition yesterday when he broke the meet record in the men's 200m freestyle and also anchored his state to the 4x200m freestyle relay gold, also in record breaking time.



Vernon clocked 3 mins 58.65 secs in the 200m freestyle at the Wisma Belia aquatic complex to clinch gold and better the old meet record of 4:02.11s set by Kevin Yeap in 2010. Second was teammate Welson Sim on 4:09.69s while Johor's Tia Fang Der clinched bronze with 4:15.65s.

"This is a great achievement for me for although I had expected to do well in the 200m freestyle, to get the 4x200m (freestyle) record as well is a big bonus," said The Kuching-born Vernon.

"I really can't take all the credit for myself in the relay event as we all swam very well and played our part to help Sarawak take the gold."

The 17-year-old, who will not compete again until the completion of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations at the end of the year, said he is hoping to add another gold medal to his collection.

"I will swim in the 1,500m event tomorrow (today) and am in a confident mood and hope to be able to carry my good form into that race as well."

Vernon, who looks up to national coach Paul Birmingham and national swimmer Kevin Yeap as his role models, played a major role in helping Sarawak seal the gold medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay event.

Sarawak emerged champions in a time of 7:50.29s, bettering the old meet record of 7:54.20s set by the Federal Territories in 2010. Second place went to Selangor (8:04.42s) while Penang placed third on 8:04.91s.

Read more: SWIMMING: Vernon leads the way - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/swimming-vernon-leads-the-way-1.106375#ixzz20lNmPn5M