Daniel: We can lower national record further

KUALA LUMMPUR: Swimmer Daniel Bego, who bagged his 10th career SEA Games gold in Naypyitaw recently, can look forward to the new year with renewed confidence and a third appearance at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The 200m freestyle relay squad led by Daniel just missed out on gold but there is a silver lining as they have qualified on merit for the first time for the Commonwealth Games, which will take place in July next year.

Daniel, Lim Ching Hwang, Kevin Yeap and Welson Sim slashed four seconds off the SEA Games record in clocking 7:27.32 but still ended up with silver behind Singapore-led Joseph Schooling, just ahead in 7:26.67.

The qualifying time used by Olympic Council of Malaysia is the sixth placing at the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010 is 7:43.53, which interestingly, was set by a Malaysian quartet.

Daniel and Kevin swam the relay at that time.

It is not the only event Daniel has qualified for the Commonwealth Games. Daniel, Ching Hwang, Welson and Vernon Lee also qualified on merit for the 4x100m freestyle relay with their silver medal winning time of 3:26.98.

The qualifying time for the event for next year’s Commonwealth Games is 3:28.06.

Daniel was unaware they have made the cut so early and said it’s good to have something to look forward to.

There is every chance for the 200m freestyle quartet to possibly challenge for a medal for the first time at the Commonwealth Games if they improve on their latest national record effort.

Daniel reckoned the team have a bright future and can go faster.

“Welson is only 15 and Ching Hwang is 17, so we have young swimmers who are capable of going faster.

“We could have got a different colour in the 4x200m freestyle but Kevin had not recovered fully from his sickness and Ching Hwang injured his elbow at that point.

“With everyone at their best, we should be cutting down on the time next year and hopefully, another shave a few seconds off the national record. That is what every one of us will be looking forward to. On my part, I just hope to swim as well and stay injury-free,” said Daniel after the OCM-Sports Toto Athletes Awards.

Daniel, who bagged gold in the 400m freestyle aside from three silvers and one bronze, received a medal and RM1,000 at the function.

Daniel added he never thought he would be winning gold at the SEA Games level again after having had to miss the previous one in Palembang two years ago due to shoulder injuries.

“I went for operations on my shoulders and it was rehabilitation for a long time so I was just glad to do the chasing this time. I never thought I would return home as a gold medallist again,” added Daniel, who won five gold medals at the Laos SEA Games in 2009.