Next Stop, London Olympics

BUKIT JALIL: National swimmer Kevin Yeap (pic) aspires to compete in the London Olympics next year.

It will be the icing on the cake to his series of international championships which includes the Sea Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

However, his immediate target is to qualify for the Jakarta Sea Games in November and he hopes to win the 1,500m freestyle gold in his third attempt.

"My aim is to win gold in Jakarta in my third Sea Games. I did not win any medal in Korat in my first attempt."

He also swims in the 400m and 800m freestyle but his pet event is the 1,500m freestyle.

High-octane performances and medal-winning efforts in Jakarta will augur well for his preparation in the Olympic qualifiers, which will be going into full swing next year.

His personal best in the 1,500m freestyle is 15.52 minutes which he clocked twice this year. To have a chance of qualifying for the Olympics, Kevin must clock 15.43 minutes.

He is confident of making the Olympic grade as he is ranked sixth after the Asian Games in Guoungzhou last year and has since double up his efforts in training.

The Ipoh-born 22-year-old said: "Apart from increasing my stamina, I am putting emphasis on stroke rates.

"It has got to change. I have now discovered that it was my main weakness. The pumping rates should be more intense and rapid since it is a long distance race."

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

Kevin Hopes To Record Personal Best

BUKIT JALIL: Kevin Yeap will be representing Malaysia in the 800m freestyle at the World Championship in Shanghai later this month. However, he does not even know his best timing for the event. The 22-year-old is not to be blamed though.

Despite being an internationally competed category, the 800m freestyle is frequently left out of Opens across the globe. Even the Malaysia Open a few months back did not feature the category.

In fact, the 800m freestyle is not Kevin's pet event. He usually swims in the 1500m freestyle. His timing of 15:52.84s at the Malaysia Open was split and the 800m mark time was taken.

Kevin had broken the Malaysia Open meet record with that timing.

As for the World Championship, Kevin is hoping to come out tops — but only among the Southeast Asia countries.

"We have good freestyle swimmers in our region. I hope I can record my personal best as well," said Kevin.

The national swimmer was realistic of his chances as even in Asia he trails swimmers from China, Korea and Japan.

Kevin missed out on the last World Championship but did represent Malaysia in Melbourne in 2007.

"I was only 18 then. The exposure I got was great. I learned a lot from just seeing how some of the world's best swim," said the Perak lad.

He admitted to changing his techniques in hope he could swim faster. Kevin is excited participate at the highest stage again and said he has not felt the nerves yet.

"I'm just getting on with my daily routine," said Kevin.

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.

Pandalela's Rocking Weekend

SUBANG JAYA: It was a weekend she'll never forget.

National diver Pandalela Rinong (pic) was still in a daze after watching her idol, Taiwanese Jay Chou, perform live at the Putra Stadium on Saturday.

She looked tired and was seen yawning a couple of times.

However, her eyes lit up when she was named Top National Athlete of 2010 at the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia-100Plus Media Awards luncheon at a leading hotel in Subang yesterday.

"I'm really happy. I didn't expect it and it's a great feeling. I got to see Jay Chou and now I got this award," said Pandalela.

But Pandalela quickly turned her attention towards qualifying for the London Olympics next year.

"There's going to be a lot of things going on. My next assignment is the Diving World Series in Moscow (March 18-19) but the main aim is to perform well at the 14th Fina World Championships in July.

"I'm looking forward to a good year and hope to perfect my score for a spot in the Olympics."

Meanwhile, Mailsport's sportswriter Haresh Deol was nominated for two awards — for best print story and best commentary.

LIST OF WINNERS


Best Athlete: Pandelela Rinong (Diving); Most Promising Athlete: Yeap Wai Kin (Wushu); Special Award from National Sports Association: Datuk Lee Chong Wei; Outdo Yourself Award: National football team (Asean Cup champions); Best Report (Print): Wan Mohd Fakhrul Anwar (Kosmo!); Best Report (Electronic): Ku Mohd Lufti Ku Yahya (RTM); Best Commentary (Print): Rajes Paul (The Star); Best Commentary (Eletronic): Rozihan Mohd Raji (RTM); Best Photographer: Mazlan Samion (Bernama); Best Special Report: Mohd Zulhelmi Zainal Azam (Astro Awani); Best Reporter: Mohd Zulhelmi Zainal Azam (Astro Awani)

Gold Medal Tally Remains At Three

NEW DELHI: Despite adding another gold medal through cycling yesterday, Malaysia's gold medal tally remained at three after three days of action in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

KATRINA ANN: Had a disappointing performance

After a continuous flow of gold medals from the weightlifting arena, there was only a bronze to show yesterday. Out of the 27 gold medals contested today, Malaysia won only one.

The gold medal however, came in controversial fashion as Josiah Ng won the solitary gold medal for Malaysia in the keirin cycling event after Mohd Azizulhasni Awang was disqualified, thus depriving a onetwo finish and a silver.

Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi's performance in the pool was also a disappointing one as she lost out on a medal to her Scottish competitor Lauren Smith and so were Lee Zhien Huey and Png Hui Chuen, as the pair finished fourth in synchronized duet finals.

Malaysia's hopes in boxing also started on a bad note when Muhammad Hafiz Azan Naya was knocked out in the 60kg class qualification bout.

There was some consolation as Muhammad Farkhan made it up to the next round when he defeated Kokole Paneng of Lesotho 8-1 in the men's welterweight (69kg) bout.

A concerned Malaysian chef-demission said Malaysian athletes need to be more "focused and fight hard during competitions".

Malaysia with three gold medals are currently fourth in the table and well off Australia who are leading the table with 22-gold and secondplaced India with nine and England with five.

Hosts India, with home ground advantage and backed by aspiring athletes, continued their medal haul and comfortably placed themselves in second spot behind Australia and remained a force to be reckoned with.

Today, 35 gold medals would be contested and several Malaysians have the possibility of making it to the podium, especially in archery, cycling and squash.

After failing yesterday, Zhien Huey and Hui Chuen will also have another chance to reach the podium when they dive into the pool to compete in the synchronised duet-free routine finals.

Another setback was in the men's hockey when Malaysia lost to Pakistan 4-1 in pool A, Malaysia's second defeat in as many matches, as they had lost to India 2-3 in their opening match.

Nicol David is back to where she was when she experienced her greatest disaster — the semifinals of the Commonwealth Games — secretly determined to atone for what happened four years ago in Melbourne.

Then the world No 1 suffered a shock defeat and failed to win any kind of medal. Now, after yesterday's disciplined 11-5, 11-3, 11-7 win over Laura Massaro of England, she is just two wins away from the only Major title she has never won.

"I had been giving her too much to work with," said the five-time world champion. "Once I started firing my drives in and making sure she had to work for the points, it was different."

Nicol was asked what was different in her now from four years ago when she was sensationally beaten by the Australian Natalie Grinham.

"There's so much," she replied. "I have learned so much. I have definitely been finding myself, and adding a lot of things to my game.

"After the last Commonwealth Games there was such a turnaround in my approach to squash and my career. I took two steps back to find what I needed to do."

Meanwhile, organisers of the Games were still struggling to fill empty stadiums, after Indian fans failed to turn up in great numbers, which had irked Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell.

"We have raised the question on how to get people to come to the stadiums. Only the OC (organising committee) and Kalmadi can answer all these questions. We have put this on the agenda for further discussion," he said.

Splashing With The Best

KAMARUZAMAN AHMAD

WEN TENG: The 100m breaststroke is her favourite event

KUALA LUMPUR: Eight national backup swimmers — three men and five women — will vie for honours in the 53rd Malaysian Open Swimming championship at Bukit Jalil Aquatic Centre. The meet began yesterday.

Swimmers Boey Wen Teng, Chelsea Chong , Illi Gan Abdul Rahman, Evon Heng, Sia Loong Er (women), Chi Chia Kian, Andrew Loh and Muhd Ariff Rashid (men) have their hands full.

They will have the chance to "rub" shoulders with the big names in Malaysia and from abroad .

According to Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) secretary Edwin Chong swimmers from Hong Kong, Singapore and Iran are also competing.

“In addition, national swimmers are preparing for the Asian and Commonwealth Games. To date Daniel Bego, Khoo Cai Lin and Seow Yi Ting have qualified.

“It is also a platform for State coaches to gauge the performances of their proteges with the Malacca Sukma Games in mind next month.”

Pahang’s 14-year old Boey Wen Teng is very eager to make a "splash" as she makes her debut.
She is competing in the 50m and 100m breaststroke with the latter being her favourite event.
“I was selected to compete in 2008 but had to withdraw at the last moment because of chicken pox. Last year I failed to meet the qualifying time and was ousted from the team.

“My target is at least a silver as I will be up against highly- rated and fancied opponents, Christine Loh and Erika Kong,” lamented Wan Teng.

Another hopeful is 13-year-old Chelsea Chong who wants to gain experience rather than make an impact in the championship.

She created "waves" last year by netting seven gold and five silver medals in the MSSM swimming championship.

Pandalela Continues To Make Waves

Pandelela Rinong

IT HAS been an exciting journey for Pandelela Rinong. Having represented the country at last year’s Beijing Olympics to making a splash at the Fina Open Diving GP and the World Championship in Italy, the Sarawakian lass has been tipped to bag a podium finish in the 2012 London Olympics.

Pandelela joined forces with seasoned diver Leong Mun Yee in the 10m synchronised diving platform in Rome and won bronze – the nation’s first-ever medal at the world meet.

A Bukit Jalil Sports School student, it was only natural for Pandelela to be awarded the Sportsgirl of the Year during the MSSM-Milo awards held recently. Having represented Malaysia since 2003, Pandelela’s achievements include silver and bronze medals at the Australia Youth Olympics in January and was awarded the Pimegan Bidayuh 2009 by the National Dayak Bidayuh Association.

Despite the string of achievements at regional and international levels, Pandelela, 16, has not taken her preparation to the year-end Laos Sea Games lightly. She believes “every competition is a learning experience” and there is “no competition less important than the next”, assuring the national contingent a gold medal.

Joining Pandelela to the Sea Games is swimmer Foo Jian Beng who was named the Best Sportsboy while another diver, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, was handed the Tunas Harapan award.

Even dedicated teachers were given recognition as Matthew Chin Hiong Choi and Rozitah Hassan were the recipients of the Dutiful Teacher Awards for their contributions in athletics and netball respectively.

MSSM-Milo Roll of Honour
Sportsboy Award: Foo Jian Beng (swimming)
Sportsgirl Award: Pandelela Rinong (diving)
Tunas Harapan Awards: Yeoh Li Tian (chess), Nur Dhabitah Sabri (diving)
Special Awards: Anas Danial Noradzman (equestrian), Tai Cheau Xuen (wushu)
Special Education Awards: Syafiq Zulfayri Harni (athletics), Zainah Ashari (athletics)
Dutiful Teacher Awards: Matthew Chin Hoing Choi (athletics), Rozitah Hassan (netball)
Leadership Award: Chua Hong Tian.

Penang’s Emanuelle Excels In The Pool

S. Rajasingam

IN SYNC: Emanuelle won two gold medals

EMANUELLE MAH THIL DA was a sight to behold at the national schools aquatics championships in Paroi. The pretty girl collected gold medals in the Under-15 individual and duet sychronised events.

In the individual event, she led Penang to a complete sweep of the top three spots by collecting 66.096 points to push Tasha Jane (60.429) into silver medal position, while Leong Jie Xi finished third with 59.40. In the duet, Emanuelle-Tasha grabbed the gold by garnering 63.304 points, to finish ahead of teammates Leong-Yew Yun Qing (59.109) and Kuala Lumpur’s Foong Yan Nie-Chen Yong Xing who collected 58.062 points.

Her highest international achievement was in July 2007 at the Thailand Open where Emanuelle emerged champion in the Under-12 individual and duet with Tasha. Emanuelle also excelled as a student as she obtained 6As and one B (in Chinese comprehension) in the UPSR examinations two years ago.

The cheerful lass started swimming at age six and joined Penang’s synchronised swimming programme at the end of 2005. Emanuelle tasted early success at the Penang Games (Sukpen) in February 2005 with a gold medal in the routine event. She loves to dance and that passion also shows in synchronised swimming.

The 14-year-old trains at Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa) with her Penang teammates six days a week.

“I train under Penang coach Yan Lei, who is from China,” said Emanuelle. “I love synchronised swimming because of the music and diverse movements which I sometimes choreograph. “I also love travelling, meeting people and making new friends.”

Emanuelle has two younger siblings — sister Esther and brother Joshua. Her role model is France’s former world No 1 Virginie Dedieu.