Sarawak’s aquatic teams shine at Sukma XXI with outstanding performances

KUCHING (Aug 24): Sarawak’s swimming and diving teams delivered exceptional performances at the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma XXI).

Sarawak swim team ranked third place, having won nine gold, one silver, and seven bronze medals in the swimming events, while the diving team ranked first place after securing nine gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.

On the final day of aquatic events, held on August 23 at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, Sarawakian swimming sensation Kelly Teo Yao achieved a significant milestone on the final day of the Sukma XXI aquatic events, securing her sixth gold medal in the women’s 1,500m freestyle, which also marked Sarawak’s 70th gold of the games.

In total, Kelly’s impressive performance at Sukma XXI included six golds, one silver, and two bronze medals,

The Federal Territories (FT) swimming secured their place at the top of the medal standings, capturing a total of 16 gold, eight silver, and seven bronze medals.

Selangor came second place with 13 Golds, 19 Silvers, and seven Bronzes.

Selangor’s Andrew Goh capped off his Sukma XXI campaign by clinching five gold medals.

His remarkable performance also included setting three new national records and five Games records, making him the top performer of the swimming events.

FT’s Muhammad Dhuha Zulfikry also delivered a stellar performance, concluding his Sukma with five golds, two silvers, and four Games records.

Sarawak Swim Team and Divers Deliver Outstanding Performances

The Sarawak swimming team delivered a strong performance at Sukma XXI, with several athletes earning top honours. Kelly led the team, securing gold in the women’s 200m freestyle, 400m individual medley, 200m backstroke, 800m freestyle, 400m freestyle, and 1,500m freestyle events.

Hii Puong Wei excelled in the men’s 200m backstroke, setting a new meet record with a time of 2:06.59, and also took gold in the men’s 100m backstroke. Additionally, Jeff Chua Yu Yang claimed gold in the men’s 50m backstroke.

Sarawak’s relay team, composed of Chereen Ngo Yirui, Magdalene Ing Siew Lau, Shanise Jauwa Joseline Adong, and Kelly, earned a silver medal in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay.

Bronze medals were also secured by Chereen Ngo in the women’s 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley, Shanise Jauwa in the women’s 200m backstroke, and the mixed 4x100m medley relay team consisting of Jeff, Hii, Magdalene Lau, and Kelly.

Other bronze medalists included Hector Ho Rze Jun in the men’s 50m breaststroke, Kayleigh Zhi Xuan Ang in the women’s 200m butterfly, and Kelly in the women’s 100m backstroke.

Past Malaysia Games achievements

In the 2018 Sukma Games held in Perak, the Sarawak swim team ranked fifth overall, securing three gold, one silver, and six bronze medals. Selangor dominated the event, finishing first with an impressive tally of 12 gold, 16 silver, and 16 bronze medals, followed by the Federal Territories with six gold, five silver, and five bronze. Penang secured third place with six gold, five silver, and three bronze, while Johor took fourth with six gold, two silver, and five bronze medals.

In the 20th Malaysia Games (Sukma XX) held in 2022 at the Bukit Jalil National Aquatics Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak’s swim team ranked fourth overall, collecting five gold, nine silver, and seven bronze medals.

The Federal Territories topped the standings with 11 gold, 11 silver, and three bronze medals, closely followed by Selangor with nine gold, 10 silver, and eight bronze medals, and Johor in third place with seven gold, four silver, and two bronze medals.

Reflections from the head coach

Comparing this year’s team to previous ones, head coach Raymond Chang highlighted the differences in experience.

“It’s hard to compare this team with the last one because the dynamics are different.

“Sukma 2022 had older swimmers due to the extended age limit after Covid-19 lockdowns, so they were more mature and knew exactly how to prepare.

“This year, we have many younger swimmers experiencing Sukma for the first time.”

“They’re understandably more nervous, and so are their parents. But overall, they’ve put in their best efforts.”

Looking beyond Sukma XXI, Chang emphasized the importance of long-term development.

He is concerned that many swimmers tend to peak too early, which can lead to early retirements when they are outpaced by older competitors. Ideally, swimmers should reach their peak between the ages of 19 and 24, but it’s not uncommon to see some retire as early as 15 or 16.

To address this, he advocates for the establishment of a Long-Term Athlete Development plan, supported by the entire Sarawak Swimming Community, to ensure sustained success for the athletes.

When asked about potential swimmers for the next Sukma, Chang identified Chereen Ngo, Kayleigh Ang, Hector Ho, Dylan Leong, and Ryan Colby as promising talents.

“Chereen and Kayleigh can soar as long as they remain humble. Hector is also good. Dylan and Ryan are promising as well, but they need to train a lot harder,” he noted.

Regarding Kelly’s performance, despite her six gold medals, she did not set any national records at Sukma XXI.

Chang explained that Kelly is just returning to form after taking a break last year to focus on her SPM exams. This Sukma marked her comeback, with the times she clocked being her personal bests.

Her primary goal for this Sukma was to regain her peak condition, with an eye on preparing for the upcoming SEA Games.

Sarawak Diving Achievements

In the diving events at Sukma XXI, Sarawak emerged as the top team, securing first place with an impressive nine gold, three silver, and two bronze medals. The Federal Territories followed in second place with three gold, four silver, and four bronze medals, while Terengganu ranked third with two silver and three bronze medals.

Sarawak’s gold medals were the result of outstanding performances across multiple events.

Elvis Priestley Clement earned gold in the men’s 3m springboard, and the duo of Nur Eilisha Rania Muhammad Abrar Raj and Nurul Farisya Alia Affendi claimed gold in the women’s synchronized 10m platform.

In the mixed synchronized 3m springboard, Awang Sharzan Nasrin Awang Nasaruddin and Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin brought home another gold for Sarawak. Dayang Nursharzyra also excelled in the women’s 1m springboard, adding to the gold medal tally.

Elvis and Enrique Maccartney Harold teamed up to win gold in the men’s synchronized 10m platform, while Nurul Farisya captured gold in the women’s 10m platform.

The team of Dayang Nursharzyra and Nur Eilisha continued their success in the women’s synchronized 3m springboard, and Enrique secured an individual gold in the men’s 10m platform.

Lastly, the pair of Muhammad Lutfir Rahman Mohammad Razak and Nurul Farisya won gold in the mixed synchronized 10m platform, rounding off Sarawak’s dominant performance in the diving events.

In the 2022 Sukma at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil, Sarawak’s diving team ranked first with two golds, three silvers, and one bronze.

The Sabah team ranked second with two golds and two bronzes, followed by the Federal Territories with one gold, two silvers, and two bronzes.

Coach Shi Yang, guiding the Sarawak diving team, praised his divers for their outstanding performances.

“The divers have done a very good job,” he said.

He said the Sarawak diving team surpassed all expectations, collecting an impressive nine gold, three silver, and two bronze medals, far exceeding their original target of just two golds.