Welson Sim wins historic gold in Monaco

PETALING JAYA: Welson Sim made a record-breaking splash to win the men's 400m freestyle at the Mare Nostrum Tour in Monte Carlo, Monaco.   

The 20-year-old did it in style by clocking 3:49.48 to beat reigning Olympic champion Mack Horton of Australia for the gold medal.   

Sim, who represented Malaysia at the Rio Olympics last year, erased his previous national record of 3:50.33 set in March 2016 at the National Age-Group swimming championships in Singapore.   

Horton posted 3:50.13, while China's Qiu Ziao came in third position with 3:51.18.   

Sim is only the second Malaysian to win at the Mare Nostrum Tour. 

Phee Jinq En was Malaysia's first ever winner in the Tour when she won the women's 50m breaststroke, also in Monaco last year.