Christina sets sights on Yi Ting’s record for 2014

Christina Loh poses for photographers during the Roasters Eating Day (RED) event in Mid Valley on Wednesday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Coach Paul Birmingham Thomas is recovering from dengue fever and has not been able to formulate his plans for the year, but swimmer Christina Loh has already made up her mind what she wants to achieve.

The 19-year-old, a double gold medallist at the Myanmar SEA Games last month, aims to do away with Siow Yi Ting’s national record in the 100m breaststroke before the year is over.

And she has her sights set on making it to the final at the Incheon Asian Games and Glasgow Commonwealth Games later this year.

Christina successfully defended the retired Yi Ting’s two titles at the SEA Games and believes much more will be expected of her now.

“We have not discussed yet the competitions we are going for as Paul has just been discharged from hospital.

“But I guess the main ones will be the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

“I want to qualify for both and hopefully, do well by reaching the finals in the 50m or 100m breaststroke.

“My other target is to better my personal best in the 50m breaststroke as I have not done so for some time,” said the Kuala Lumpur girl.

Christina holds the national record for 50m breaststroke with her time of 32.11 set at the World Championships in Shanghai in 2011.

However, it is Yi Ting’s national mark of 1:09.82 for the 100m breaststroke clocked at the Laos SEA Games in 2009, which captivates Christina.

“I hope to dip below the 1:10 mark for the 100m breaststroke as I am consistently around there at the moment,” added Christina at the fifth annual Kenny Rogers Roasters Eating Day (RED) event.

Five other SEA Games gold medallists were also invited to the event held on Wednesday - karate exponents S. Senthil Kumaran and S. Shree Sharmini, swimmer Daniel Bego and wushu exponents Tai Cheau Xuen and Phoon Eyin.

RED is held annually on the second Wednesday of every new year at over 80 restaurants nationwide. Guests clad in any shade of red enjoy two RED Hot Meals for the price of one.