Sarawak Sukma swimming sensation Kelly Teo sets sight on SEA Games

KUCHING (Aug 28): Riding on the crest of success in the 21st Sukma, Sarawak swimming sensation Kelly Teo Yao is gearing up to battle bigger waves in the region.

Her immediate target is the Southeast Asian (SEA) Age Group Championships in December followed by next year’s SEA Games, where both will be held in Thailand.

The 18-year-old Sarawakian recently captured the nation’s attention with her outstanding performance at Sukma XXI, when she secured six gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

It will be her final appearance at the upcoming SEA Age Group meet due to the age limit.

“I’m fully focused on the SEA Age Group Championships especially since it’s my last chance to compete at this level,” Kelly told The Borneo Post in an exclusive interview together with her father yesterday.

The freestyle specialist picked up the silver in the 400m and 800m, and a bronze in the 200m at last year’s meet.

Fueled by her Sukma success, she is aiming for gold this time.

Her father Teo Ah Hua said Kelly has been fortunate in her swimming career so far.

The former state swimmer and national water polo player, who became a coach after retiring from competition, took all his five daughters under his wings.

The older three – Mandy, Natasha and Andrea – all represented Sarawak in the sport. The youngest 16-year-old Kara is also following in the footsteps of her older siblings.

Kelly, who started in competitive swimming at 6, progressed to the Elite Swimming Programme set up by the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) at the age of 12.

Training under elite coaches Dieung Manggang and Raymond Chang under the programme proved timely for Kelly.

“The MSNS Elite Programme played a crucial role in Kelly’s development, providing her with professional coaching and better facilities,” Teo recalled.

Four years later, Kelly gained admission to the Bukit Jalil National Sports School. Under the school’s conducive environment – two training sessions daily in a six-day weekly regimen supplemented by dry land strength training – she started representing Malaysia in international age-group competitions.

Kelly, who is 169cm tall, now stands at the crossroads. She has already completed her SPM and is counting down her days at Bukit Jalil.

Her favourite subjects in school are mathematics and science.

Looking ahead, she spoke of going overseas to further pursue her studies and competitive swimming career.

She expressed interest in studying sports science and eventually helping to develop young swimmers one day.

“I’m hoping to study abroad, possibly in the United States of America or Australia, where I can also continue to develop my swimming in better training programmes,” she said.

Teo is fully behind her daughter and her aspirations. However, the recently retired coach is understandably concerned about the means to realise her daughter’s dreams.

“I hope the government can assist in arranging this opportunity for her,” he said.