Jeremy and Dayang impress at Sabah Invitational Age Group Swimming Championships

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 21): Jeremy Ng Chong Wei and Dayang Sari Abdullah were crowned the boy’s and girl’s overall title winners in the recently concluded 58th Sabah Invitational Age Group (SAG) Swimming Championships at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex Aquatic Centre in Likas.

Representing Tiger Shark Swimming Club (TSSC), Jeremy clinched the championship overall boy’s title after setting a new state record as well as winning nine gold medals.

Penampang Preppies Swimming Club’s (PPSC) Dayang Sari smashed one state and meet record each as well as raking in eight gold and two silver medals to finish as the top female swimmer.

In addition, Jeremy and Dayang Sari also won the boy’s and girl’s Group III (12-13 years old) category with their impressive performances.

Destin Ho Xin Hong (Sea Dragon Swimming Club – SDSC) and Skye Teo Ye Xiang (Akuatik Kuala Lumpur – AKL) as well as Persatuan Akuatik Labuan (PAL) duo Arianna Daniella Aziz Shahrizan Nur Dhuha Rosmaini finished second and third respectively in Group III boy’s and girl’s category.

The meet organised by the Sabah Aquatic Sports Association (Sasa) attracted 422 participants across Sabah and Labuan, with a total of 145 events contested.

“It was the highest number of participants ever recorded in the flagship event of the state swimming calender,” Sasa president Daniel Lee said in a statement on Tuesday.

All of Sasa member affiliates took part in the championship namely Blue Marlin Swimming Club (BMSC), PPSC, PJMS Aquatic Swimming Club (PJMS), SDSC, SSA Swimming Club (SSA) as well as new members, Barracuda Aquatic Club (BAC) and TSSC.

Five age-group competitions were contested which also saw participation from Malaysia Aquatic (MAS) members AKL and PAL.

The other age group overall winners were Shane Lee Xiao Jian (SSA) in the boy’s Group V (nine years old-and-under) with followed by first runner-up Rafit RazqaRahmatdan (PAL) and second runner-up Boaz Balang Bravo (BMSC). In the girls category, the overall champion title went to Chanelle Ezra Teo (PAL), followed by Lee Siao Chern (TSSC) and Nur Qistina Adreena Mohd Ridzuan (PAL).

In Group IV (10-11 years old) 4, the top three for boys were Edric Connor Liew Kett (PPSC), Ngok Shao Han Edward (AKL) and Tiong Shong Feng (AKL). In the girls category, the overall champion title went to Arisya Damia Ronisafhin (PJMS), followed by Nathea Teanna Perez Molijol (BMSC) and Ava Esmeralda Lee (SDSC).

The top performing swimmers in Group II (14-15 years) were Umar Rayyan Bin Abdullah (PJMS) for boys and Careyna Joseph Bulawdan (SDSC) for girls while in Group I (16-18 years), the overall champion title went to PPSC swimmers Tanner Joibi and Laura Lee Yen Nie in the boy’s and girl’s category.

Daniel congratulated all winners and thanked the participating teams and the event’s organising committee for their time and involvement in this event.

“Sasa has seen many changes over the past year and the state body could not remain complacent and stagnant as we are keeping up and adapting to changes within a everchanging world and community.

“One of the key areas is the need for competent and qualified human resources and Sasa is continuing to provide training and exposure to all,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Sasa president said Sabah will send a record number of 102 participants to the 61st Malaysia Invitational Age Group Swimming Championships at the National Aquatic Centre from February 5-8.

“The focus, from the secretary to the team managers and coaches are now directed towards the national championship as arranging such large number of swimmers proved to be a logistical challenge, from arranging the team’s flight schedules to ground transports and accommodations, all these requires dedicated planning.

“Besides that, we are glad to received such overwhelming support from the parents and coaches and to have such a large number of participants this year.

“We hope these swimmers will be able to gain much-needed exposure and allow them to continue working towards improved performance,” he added.