Lim Ching Hwang will compete in five events at the Youth Olympics - filepic
KUALA LUMPUR: It will be a momentous occasion for national swimmer, Lim Ching Hwang as he carries the Malaysian flag for the team when the 2nd edition of the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China from Aug 16-28.
“I feel extremely honoured to be the flag bearer at such a big event. Representing the whole team gives me more energy to perform better,” said Ching Hwang.
He will need the boost as he participates in five events (50m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley, 4x100m freestyle and 4x100m mixed team relay) during the 13-day event.
“Winning a medal at the games will be hard as it is really competitive. The best junior swimmers around the world will be competing and everyone is swimming faster than before.
“For now my target is to qualify for the finals of my events before aiming for a medal,” said the 18- year-old.
In May he won a gold medal at the Malaysian Open in the 100m freestyle before winning another gold in the same event and two bronzes (50m butterfly and 200m individual medley) at the South-East Asia (SEA) age-group championships in Singapore.
Last year when he came back with a gold medal (200m freestyle), two silvers (50m freestyle and 100m freestyle) and a bronze (4x100m medley relay) from the Asian Youth Games in August, also in Nanjing.
Despite his success, Ching Hwang does not hide his admiration for national swimmer, Daniel Bego and looks up to great swimmers like Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe.
“I like Daniel’s fighting spirit as he never gives up and continues swimming even with an injury. I hope to be as good as him but I want to become even better than,” said Ching Hwang who is based at the Singapore Sports School.
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