SEA GAMES: Marellyn Sees No Silver Lining

Marellyn Liew may have earned two silver medals on the opening day of swimming but she was one disappointed athlete.

The 22-year-old arrived in Palembang with an aim to qualify for next year's London Olympic Games but failed to achieve her target en route to finishing second in the women's 100m butterfly and 4x100m medley.

"I will quit if I don't get to compete at next year's Olympics. I've been trying so hard and even trained in China before the Sea Games but today (yesterday), I did not make it," Marellyn at the Jakabaring Aquatic Centre.

"I am not very happy with my achievements today (yesterday). I've got two more events (50m and 200m butterfly) left  and hopefully, I can clock faster times to qualify for the Olympics."

Marellyn won her third successive Sea Games silver in the 100m butterfly by clocking 1:01.92 seconds, behind Singapore's China-born Tao Li, who swam a near perfect race to post 58.84 to break her own Games record by 0.40s.

The Olympic qualifying mark under Category B is 1:00.70s.

In the relay event, Marellyn swam  the third leg to help Malaysia, also comprising Khoo Cai Lin, Chan Kah Yan and Leung Chii Lin, retain their silver with a time of 4:15.02s. Singapore successfully defended their title with a super-fast 4:11.27 while Thailand took bronze with 4:16.61.

Joseph Schooling, whose mother is Malaysian, underlined his credentials in the Games by winning the men's 50m butterfly (24.06s), followed by Indonesia's Victor Sutanto (24.20) and Vietnam's Quy Phuoc Hoang (24.66).

The 15-year-old used to be based in Perak, where he won under-age competitions before moving to Singapore.

Malaysia's Foo Jian Beng, who trained in the United States just before the Games, failed to make his mark, finishing seventh with 25.94 in the event. Cai Lin just missed out on the medals in the women's 200m freestyle, by finishing fourth (2:04.54).

Singapore dominated proceedings, winning four gold followed by Thailand with two in six events.

Read more: SEA GAMES: Marellyn sees no silver lining - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/sea-games-marellyn-sees-no-silver-lining-1.5204#ixzz1de1SUWFN

Cai Lin Breaks Meet Record To Qualify For World Championships

By LIM TEIK HUAT

On form: Cai Lin on her way to breaking the 800m freestyle record at the Malaysian Open yesterday. — AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor’s Khoo Cai Lin capped a perfect end to her Malaysian Open campaign by becoming the first Malaysian swimmer to qualify on merit for the World Championships at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The Laos SEA Games gold medallist smashed the previous meet record of 8:49.04, held by China’s Zheng Jing since 2002, to win the 800m freestyle final in 8:48.53.

The 21-year-old Cai Lin breezed to the finish line by more than one body length ahead of nearest rival Cheng Yuen Yue of Hong Kong to dip inside next year’s World Championships qualifying mark of 8:48.70.

The World Championships, to be held in Shanghai in July next year, are the first to apply qualifying times on the individual entries.

It was her fourth gold medal of the meet and she undeniably stamped her mark as the best middle and long distance swimmer in the region.

Cai Lin had won the 200m and 400m freestyles and the 200m individual medley earlier.
But meeting the World Championships qualifying standards means more to her and show that she is on the right track towards the Commonwealth and Asian Games later this year.

“I tried to beat the qualifying times for the world meet in the 400m freestyle yesterday but could not,” she said.

“I’m happy I managed to do it on the last day of competition.

“I’m mixing training and studies at the moment and I’m still taking things easy.

“But I will put in more hours towards the middle half of the year as I have to get ready for the Commonwealth and Asian Games,” added Cai Lin, who has already qualified on merit for the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in October and Guangzhou Asiad in November.

There was no joy, however, for Sabah swimmer Marellyn Liew on the final day of competition.
Her bid for a double in the butterfly discipline sank after she was disqualified for a false start in the 100m distance.

Marellyn was the first to touch home in 1:03.56 but, to her dismay, it was second-placed Wong Yee Ching of Hong Kong (1:03.91), who was declared the winner.

Other Malaysian winners yesterday were Foo Jian Beng and Chui Lai Kwan, who won the men’s and women’s 50m freestyle races respectively.

Jian Beng splashed to victory for Selangor in 23.83, outside his national mark of 23.45 set in the Terengganu Sukma in 2008, while Lai Kwan earned the gold for Sabah in 26.71.

Marellyn Training Under Keng Liat In Chase For Another Sukma Success

By LIM TEIK HUAT

Winners: Khoo Cai Lin and Kevin Yeap Soon Choy showing the 400m freestyle medal they won at the Malaysian Open swimming championship in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah-born swimmer Marellyn Liew is turning to former Asian Games gold medallist Lim Keng Liat for guidance as she bids to achieve a fabulous repeat of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) achievements in Tereng–ganu two years ago.
Marellyn was previously based in Bukit Jalil but returned to Kota Kinabalu in February to train under Keng Liat, who is currently preparing the Sabah swimmers for the upcoming Sukma in Malacca from June 10-19.

And the aspiring beautician showed she is in good shape heading towards what is a final Sukma outing by winning the women’s 50m butterfly title in the Malaysian Open swimming championships at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Marellyn, who turns 21 next month, surged to the front from the start and maintained her position to clock a winning time of 27.81.

Marellyn’s effort was not too far off her national mark of 27.45 set at the same meet two years ago.

There was a bonus for her when she anchored the Sabah quartet, also comprising of Chui Lai Kwan, Trini Wan and Evon Heng, to win the 4x100m freestyle in a new meet record time of 3:59.34.

Sabah also held the previous record of 4:00.62 set last year.

Marellyn was satisfied with her efforts as she came in without any serious preparation for it.
“My coach (Alex) told me to concentrate on Sukma as it’s just around the corner and he wants me to be in peak form.

“I took a few days rest before coming here and this is just a warm-up meet. I have always looked forward to competing in Sukma as I enjoyed the fun and I will miss it as this will be my last.

“I had a very memorable outing in Terengganu and I hope to go through it again,” said Marellyn, who is pursuing a higher diploma course in Sabah.

Marellyn basked in the high of winning the Best Sportsgirl award at the Terengganu Sukma after setting two national records.

She is, however, confined to doing only two individual events in Sukma due to her
status as a SEA Games silver medal winning athlete in Laos last year.

Marellyn will bid to win a double when she races the 100m butterfly today.

Selangor’s Foo Jian Beng, the Best Sportsboy at the Terengganu Sukma, capped his first Malaysian Open win by taking the 50m butterfly in 25.97.

Kevin Yeap secured a double gold for Perak in winning the men’s 400m freestyle in 4:00.31. Kevin had won the 1,500m freestyle on Friday.

Khoo Cai Lin claimed her third gold medal at the meet when she came out tops in the women’s 400m freestyle in 4:20.15.

Singapore’s Shana Lim bagged her second meet record in winning the women’s 100m backstroke final yesterday. Shana posted 1:04.62 to erase the previous record of 1:05.73 set by Negri Sembilan’s Lew Yih Wey in 2008.

Yi Ting Continues Her Golden Show

Siow Yi Ting poses with her gold medal after winning the 200m breaststroke in record time.

Daniel Bego Sets Two More Games Records

Tight Schedule Is A Dampener

Siow Yi Ting and

Daniel Bego

Sukma Starlets To Make Rome Debut

Click image to read article

Asean University Games Results

Click image to read article

FINAL medal tally and results from the Asean University Games.

FINAL MEDALS TALLY
G S B Ttl
MALAYSIA 90 79 47 216
VIETNAM 45 28 23 96
THAILAND 32 29 59 120
INDONESIA 28 52 48 128
SINGAPORE 18 16 39 73
PHILIPPINES 8 12 21 41
LAOS 1 2 3 6
TIMOR-LESTE 0 1 9 10
BRUNEI 0 0 2 2
CAMBODIA 0 0 1 1

THE MALAYSIAN GOLD MEDALLISTS

ARCHERY (5)
Men’s recurve individual: Izzudin Abdul Rahim
Men’s recurve team
Women’s compound individual: Saritha Cham Nong
Women’s compound team
Mixed recurve team

·ATHLETICS (9)
Men’s shot putt: Husin Adi Alifudin
Men’s pole vault: Mohd Hafizuddin
Shahadan
Men’s hammer: Abdul Halim Yatim
Men’s 110m hurdles: Robani Hassan
Women’s 100m: Siti Fatimah Mohamad
Women’s hammer: Tan Song Hwa
Women’s shot putt: Asrenny Asik
Women’s high jump: Wong Boon Syian
Women’s pole vault: Roslinda Samsu

·BADMINTON (7)
Men’s team
Women’s team
Men’s singles: Mohd Arif Abdul Latif
Men’s doubles: Mohd Razif Latif-Tan Wee Kiong
Women’s singles: Julia Wong
Women’s doubles: Amelia Anscelly-Woon Khe Wei
Mixed doubles: Tan Wee Kiong-Woon Khe Wei

·BEACH VOLLEYBALL (1)

Women: Luk Tek Hua-Beh Shun Ting

·BOWLING (2)
Men’s singles: Mohd Syafiq Ridhwan
Women’s Masters: Zatil Iman

·HOCKEY (1)
Men’s team

·KARATE (7)
Men’s individual kata: Cheah Boon Chong
Men’s team kumite
Men’s kumite below 60kg: L. Kunasilan
Men’s kumite below 75kg: Mohd Hatta
Men’s kumite below 80kg: V. Jayaseelan
Men’s kumite above 80kg: P. Pavitern
Women’s team kata

·LAWN BOWLS (7)
Men’s singles: Mohd Nur Shahrin Jamaluddin
Men’s pairs: Mohd Nur Shahrin Jamaluddin-Mohd Hizir
Mohd Hilmi
Men’s triples
Men’s overall
Women’s singles: Nor Iryani Azmi
Women’s fours
Women’s overall

·NETBALL (1)

·SILAT (5)
Men’s ganda: Mohd Azahar Che Abdullah-Mohd Faizul-Sarif
Men’s Class A: Mohd Asuha Sacdan
Men’s Class E: Hafifi Hafiez Habibilah
Women’s ganda: Sakilah Sapar-Salihah Sapar
Women’s Class C: Wan Nurul Hidayu Wan Abdul Razak

·RUGBY SEVENS (2)
Team
League

·SHOOTING (13)
Men’s 50m pistol individual: Ahmad Zafri Ahmad Zamil
Men’s 50m pistol team
Men’s 25m rapid fire pistol individual: Hafiz Adzha
Men’s 25m rapid fire pistol team
Men’s 50m rifle prone individual: Ahmad Aqqad Yahya Ariff
Men’s 50m rifle prone team
Men’s 25m standard pistol individual: Ahmad Zafri Ahmad
Zamil
Men’s 25m standard pistol team
Men’s 10m air pistol individual: Mohd Syawal Othman
Women’s 50m rifle prone team
Women’s 50m rifle three-position team
Women’s 25m pistol individual: Wahidah Ismail
Women’s 25m pistol team

·SQUASH (3)
Men: Mohd Nafiizwan Mohd Adnan
Women: Lim Yoke Wah
Mixed team

·SWIMMING (23)
Men’s 100m freestyle: Daniel Bego (pic)
Men’s 200m freesytle: Daniel Bego
Men’s 400m freestyle: Daniel Bego
Men’s 100m butterfly: Daniel Bego
Men’s 200m butterfly: Daniel Bego
Men’s 1500m freestyle: Kevin Yeap
Men’s 200m backstroke: Melvin Chua
Men’s 200m individual medley: Melvin
Chua
Men’s 400m individual medley: Melvin
Chua
Men’s 4x100m freestyle
Men’s 4x200m freestyle
Women’s 50m freestyle: Chui Lai Kwan
Women’s 50m breaststroke: Rachel Lim
Women’s 100m breaststroke: Rachel Lim
Women’s 100m freestyle: Khoo Cai Lin
Women’s 200m freestyle: Khoo Cai Lin
Women’s 400m freestyle: Khoo Cai Lin
Women’s 800m freestyle: Khoo Cai Lin
Women’s 50m butterfly: Marellyn Liew
Women’s 100m butterfly: Marellyn Liew
Women’s 100m backstroke: Chui Lai Kwan
Women’s 4x100m freestyle
Women’s 4x100m medley

·TABLE TENNIS (2)
Women’s team
Women’s singles: Ng Sock Khim

·TAEKWONDO (2)
Women’s flyweight: Elaine Teo
Women’s bantamweight: Nurul Nadia Mahamat

Perenang Negara Terus Gegar Pusat Akuatik

BARISAN perenang negara menunjukkan pingat emas yang berjaya dimenangi semalam.

PUSAT Akuatik Nasional di Bukit Jalil terus menjadi lubuk emas buat perenang negara.
Pada hari kedua acara renang semalam, lima pingat emas, satu rekod kebangsaan serta lima rekod kejohanan berjaya dicatatkan pere- nang negara.

Ratu renang negara, Khoo Cai Lin mencipta kejutan apabila memecah rekod kebangsaan menerusi acara 200 meter gaya bebas wanita.
Dia mencatatkan masa 2 minit dan 03.55 saat, sekali gus mengatasi rekod kebangsaan yang dicatatnya sendiri iaitu 2:04.65s pada Kejohanan Renang Kebangsaan di Bukit Jalil baru-baru ini.

Pelajar Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) itu turut memperbaharui rekod kejohanan iaitu 2:09.46s yang dilakukan perenang Thailand, Parichat Wongpila pada temasya di Hanoi, Vietnam dua tahun lalu.

Sementara itu, perenang lelaki negara, Daniel Bego terus menampilkan aksi cemerlang selepas memenangi pingat emas acara 200m gaya bebas dengan catatan masa 1:52.64s.
Catatan itu sekali gus melebur rekod kejohanan yang dilakukan oleh perenang Thailand, Sorasit Hanwiwattanakul (1:59.72s) dua tahun lalu.

Melvin Chua turut menyumbang pingat emas menerusi acara 200 meter rampaian individu lelaki setelah mencatatkan masa 2:09.67s.
Dia turut sekali gus memecah rekod kejohanan yang dicatatkan oleh perenang Thailand, Radomyos Matjiur (2:10.88s).

Dalam pada itu, Rachel Lim Leik memenangi pingat emas menerusi acara 50 meter kuak dada wanita setelah mencatat masa 35.06s.
Dia berjaya memecah rekod kejohanan yang dicatatkan oleh pere- nang Thailand, Tassamol Petchsangroj (35:24s).

Bagi acara 4x200 meter gaya bebas lelaki, kuartet Daniel, Kevip Yeap, Melvin dan David Clement meraih pingat emas dengan catatan masa 8:01.58s, sekali gus memecah rekod kejohanan 8:16.50s yang dicatatkan kuartet Thailand dua tahun lalu.

Kuartet wanita negara yang dibarisi Cai Lin, Khoo Ai Hwee, Marellyn Liew dan Lai Mei Juan pula sekadar meraih pingat perak acara 4x200m gaya bebas selepas mencatat masa 9:04.23s.
Bagaimanapun, mereka tetap memecah rekod kejohanan yang sebelum ini menjadi milik kuartet Thailand (9:08.13s).

Dua lagi pingat perak dimenangi Kevin Yeap menerusi acara 200 meter gaya bebas lelaki (1:54.93s) dan Clement David menerusi acara 200m rampaian individu lelaki (2:14.92s).

Lima Emas Dari Kolam Renang

CAI LIN (kiri) dan Daniel bersama pingat emas yang dimenangi mereka pada hari pertama acara renang yang berlangsung di Pusat Akuatik Nasional, Bukit Jalil semalam.

PUSAT Akuatik Nasional di Bukit Jalil menjadi lubuk emas kepada skuad renang negara.
Semalam, lima pingat emas berjaya dibawa pulang pada saingan hari pertama acara tersebut yang menawarkan 10 pingat emas.

Perenang negara turut mencipta kejutan dengan mencatatkan tiga rekod baru Sukan Universiti Asean (SUA) XIV.

Pingat emas pertama diraih oleh Khoo Cai Lin menerusi acara 100 meter gaya bebas wanita dengan catatan 58.16 saat.

Cai Lin turut memperbaharui rekod lama 59.08s yang dilakukan oleh atlet Thailand, Paritchat Wongpila pada temasya yang sama di Hanoi, Vietnam dua tahun lalu.

Selain itu, Daniel Bego turut memecah rekod kejohanan menerusi acara 100m gaya bebas lelaki setelah mencatatkan masa 51:.97s.

Raja renang negara itu, memperbaharui rekod yang dicatatkan oleh atlet Filipina, Kendrick Lim Uy (53:29s) pada SUA Hanoi, Vietnam 2006.

Atlet kelahiran Sarawak itu, turut meraih meraih pingat emas kedua bagi acara 200m kuak kupu-kupu lelaki setelah mencatatkan masa 2 minit 04.47s.

Rachel Lim Leik turut mencipta kejutan apabila memecah rekod kejohanan sekali gus meraih pingat emas untuk negara menerusi acara 100m kuak dada wanita setelah mencatatkan masa 1:17.87s.

Lim Leik memperbaharui rekod lama 1:17.44s yang dilakukan oleh Tassamol Petchsangroj dari Thailand dua tahun lalu.

Turut menyumbangkan pingat emas negara ialah Melvin Chua menerusi acara 400m rampaian individu lelaki dengan catatan masa 4:38.63s.

Selain itu, atlet renang negara turut meraih pingat gangsa menerusi Kevin Yeap bagi acara kuak lentang dengan catatan masa 29:.26s.

Pingat perak kedua dimenangi Marellyn Liew bagi acara 200m kuak kupu-kupu wanita setelah mencatatkan masa 2:27.19s.

Untuk rekod, kontinjen renang negara mensasarkan 18 pingat emas daripada 38 pingat emas yang ditawarkan.

Cai Lin berkata kejayaan meraih pingat emas pertama itu akan menjadi pencetus semangat bagi merealisasikan impiannya memburu empat pingat emas pada kejohanan kali ini.
Menurutnya, dia berpuas hati dengan catatan yang dilakukan meskipun gagal memperbaharui rekod peribadi 59:15s yang dilakukan pada Kejohanan Renang Kebangsaan di Bukit Jalil baru-baru ini.

"Saingan hari ini (semalam) adalah sebagai permulaan untuk beraksi lebih cemerlang esok (hari ini). Berdasarkan pencapaian tadi, saya harap dapat merealisasikan misi saya untuk memburu empat pingat emas," katanya.