Jian Han And Erika Cap Promising Debuts In C’wealth Youth Games

PETALING JAYA: Youngsters Tern Jian Han and Erika Kong capped a promising debut in the Commonwealth Youth Games by beating the SEA Games qualifying marks on the opening day of swimming competition at the Isle of Man on Friday.

Fifteen-year-old Jian Han, who was only roped into the national swimming team in March, beat the SEA Games qualifying mark of 2:04.36 en route to making it to the men’s 200m backstroke final.

Jian Han clocked a personal best of 2:03.17 to finish eighth fastest in the preliminaries.

The automatic qualifying mark for measurable sports in the SEA Games are based on the silver medal placings from Laos two years ago.

But the Batu Pahat-born swimmer could only clock 2:04.68 to finish eighth in the final.

Erika just missed out on a place in the women’s 100m breaststroke final after clocking the ninth fastest time of 1:12.03.

Still, it was better than the silver medal mark of 1:12.54 from the previous SEA Games.

Despite reaching the SEA Games qualifying standards, Erika may find it hard to claim a spot in the 100m breaststroke as Christina Loh and Siow Yi Ting are the likely entries.

Christina has consistently swam below the 1:12 this year and her best effort so far is 1:10.79 at the national age-group meet in Malacca in March. Yi Ting is the defending champion for the event and the current national record holder at 1:09.82.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) secretary Edwin Chong said the initial list of swimmers for the SEA Games had been submitted to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

“OCM are supposed to finalise the list before the end of this month. Jian Han has improved a lot since joining the Bukit Jalil programme earlier in the year and he should be going for his first SEA Games.”

When The Going Gets Tough, Jian Han Gets Going

JIAN HAN

A good showing at the national schools meet in March was all it took for Tern Jian Han to be given an opportunity to perform at a higher level.

The 15-year-old was then spotted and enrolled at the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS). Now, he trains under national swimming coach Paul Birmingham.

Birmingham only has positive words for this young boy, tipping him to show great improvement over the next couple of years.

"He has only been with us (national set-up) since late March and has already showed improvements," said the Australian.

The new surroundings may be harsh for this Batu Pahat lad but he is determined not to let homesickness affect him.

"The first week at BJSS was very tough," said Jian Han.

"Not only was I away from my family but the training load was much greater. But it helped me improve."

Before the national set-up, Jian Han used to train once a day. Gym work was not part of his training regime.

Now, the Johorean visits the gym three times a week and trains in the pool twice a day.

"It is not only the number of times I train but the intensity as well."

Since joining the national set-up, Jian Han has already begun to reap the benefits.

At the National Age Group championships in April, Jian Han recorded a personal best in all events he competed in.

In the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, he recorded 27.59s, 59.27s and 2.10.12s, respectively. In the butterfly, he clocked 26.4s (50m), 59.12s (100m) and 2.10.9s (200m). Jian Han's best timing in the 200m freestyle is 2.00.27s.

He improved further in the Malaysia Open in May as he improved on his personal best in all events except the 50m butterfly. He also took home a silver in the 200m backstroke.

In the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, he recorded 27.37s, 58.40s and 2:09.9s, respectively. In the butterfly, he clocked 57.85s (100m) and 2:09.58s (200m). Jian Han's best timing in the 200m freestyle is 1.58.62s

Tremendous Improvement From Jian Han

BUKIT JALIL: A couple of months ago, Tern Jian Han (pic) was unknown outside his immediate circle.

And that little circle was in representing SMK Dato Bentara Luar in Batu Pahat and wearing Johor colours in the national schools championships.

But he did not have any proper training.

All that has changed though. His talent was spotted and brought to Bukit Jalil Sports School. Today, he is
part of the national set-up.

"The first week at BJSS was very tough," said Jian Han.

"Not only was I away from my family but the training load was much greater. But it helped me improve."

Before the national set-up, Jian Han used to train once a day. Gym work was not part of his training regime.

Now, the Johorean visits the gym three times a week and trains in the pool twice a day.

"It is not only the number of times I train but the intensity as well."

According to national coach Paul Birmingham, Jian Han has shown tremendous improvement since joining the national squad.

At the National Age Group championships last month, Jian Han recorded a personal best in all events he
competed in.

In the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, he recorded 22.59s, 59.27s and 2.10.12s, respectively. In the butterfly, he clocked 26.4s (50m), 59.12s (100m) and 2.10.9s (200m). Jian Han's best timing in the 200m freestyle is 2.00.27s.

"With the training in the last two months, I should improve my personal best at the Malaysia Open.Hopefully, I can also qualify for the Sea Games, especially in my pet event (backstroke)," said Jian Han.

The Malaysia Open starts tomorrow until May 15 at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.