Zun Jet and Sze Hui set to be Malaysia’s first aquathlon athletes in SEA Games

Proud of you both: Siblings Teo Zun Jet (right) and Teo Sze Hui (left) posing with their dad Yong Jiew.

PETALING JAYA: Swimming siblings Teo Zun Jet and Teo Sze Hui are on cloud nine – they will be the country’s first aquathlon athletes to compete in the SEA Games in Cambodia (May 5-17) after booking their tickets at the NX113 Aquathlon race in the inaugural SEA Open Water Swimming Championships at the Putrajaya Lake.

Only the top two Malaysians will qualify for the Games. The 17-year-old Zun Jet secured his spot after completing the race which comprises a 500m swim and 2.5km run, with a time of 16:12 to win the Elite Category.

His elder sister, Sze Hui, also qualified despite finishing fourth in the women’s category with a time of 19:16 as the two other competitors above her – Renata Berliana (18:09) and Siobhain Doyle (18:30) were Indonesians while compatriot Ng Wen May (18:52) will compete in the triathlon.

Sze Hui said that her tight schedule of juggling studies and training was was worth it after she fulfilled her dream of qualifying for the SEA Games.

“My daily routine revolves around training as early as 5am before school, and after that it will be juggling homework and more training,” said Sze Hui, who is in the midst of sitting for her SPM exams.

“But it’s been worth it. It was my dream to qualify for the SEA Games.

“I had initially wanted to compete in triathlon at the last SEA Games, but I was not 18 yet.

“I have just turned 18 and I want to go all out.’’

Zun Jet, who is a water polo player and a Kuala Lumpur state swimmer, said he had the advantage of strong legs which helped him perform well.

“Being a water polo player meant I have developed strong leg muscles and that really helped me in my run,” said Zun Jet, who only started training for the run during the Movement Control Order in 2020.

“I could have been faster, but I’m happy with my overall time.’’

Meanwhile, in the team relay event (4x1.5km), Lim Kai Yi, Teoh Kai Ning, Lynna Yeow and Hannes Wan bagged the silver medal in the 14-16 category while compatriots Aslan Adnan, Jamie Tan, Grace Yap and Yap Rong Yi won bronze.

National coach Kevin Yeap was proud of his charges as they won a total of seven silver medals and four bronze medals in the 5km, 10km and team relay categories.

“They were all strong willed to complete the swim, despite it being the first time in open water swimming for some of them,” he said.

“I am proud of all of them.”