US-based Ching Hwang races against time to be fit

Federal Territories swimmer Lim Ching Hwang (right) during training session in Sarawak Aquatic Centre inconjuction of Sukma Sarawak 2016 at Kuching, Sarawak. FAIHAN GHANI/The Star.

KUCHING: Swimmer Lim Ching Hwang is racing against time to be fit for Sukma.

The 20-year-old United States-based swimmer’s hope of spearheading the Federal Territories’ (FT) campaign is in doubt as he has yet to fully recover after being down with fever last Saturday.

The swimming events will get under way at the Sarawak Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya on Sunday.

FT will be counting on Ching Hwang for medals in the 100m freestyle and 200m individual medley. He is the 200m IM national record holder.

His presence has also bolstered the depth in FT’s men’s relay quartet as they hope to break Selangor’s stranglehold in the event.

But Ching Hwang has played down FT’s chances given his current condition.

“I’m still struggling to get fit after being down with fever and a sore throat since last Saturday,” said Ching Hwang.

“I still need some time to recover ... hopefully, I’ll be ready before my (both 100m freestyle and 200m IM) events on Monday.

“Thankfully, the relays are going to take place later (after the third day of competition).”

The last time he competed in Sukma – in Pahang in 2012 – he was representing Selangor and he won all his four events.

He did not take part in the Perlis Games two years ago after failing to secure clearance from Selangor for his switch to FT.

In the 100m freestyle this time, Ching Hwang expects to face stiff challenge from the likes of defending champion Alwyn Tan of Penang, his FT team-mate Keith Lim and Selangor’s Chan Jie.

Tia’a Faang Der, the 400m IM national record holder from Johor, could pose a threat to Ching Hwang’s title hopes in the 200m IM.