Jian Han wants to break more of Alex’s records

SWIMMER Tern Jian Han (pic) is setting his sights on new goals after ending his campaign at the Commonwealth Games with mixed reactions.

The 22-year-old is targeting to break two more of Alex Lim Keng Liat’s national records – the 100m and 200m backstroke – this year.

The Johor-born swimmer already took out one of Alex’s records – the 50m backstroke – when he clocked 25.60 in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games.

Unfortunately, Jian Han could not improve on his timing in the final.

He only managed a time of 25.96 to finish last out of eight swimmers in the final at the Optus Aquatic Centre yesterday.

Mitch Larkin led an Australian 1-2-3 with a time of 24.68, followed by Benjamin Treffers (24.84) and Zac Incerti (25.06).

“I was quite disappointed that I didn’t manage to improve on my timing but I’m happy to have made the final in the first place,” said Jian Han.

“I really couldn’t ask for more this time although I know where I need to improve on now.

“But with that said, I’m also setting new goals for myself this year. I want to break Alex’s two more records.

“I think my timing is not too far off in the 100m and 200m. But I will take it one step at a time and focus on the 100m first.

“Besides that, my goal is also to do well at the Asian Games.”

“Coach Paul Birmingham has already instructed us to start training for it once we return from the Commonwealth Games,” added Jian Han.

Meanwhile, butterfly specialist Chan Jie also had mixed reactions to his Games campaign.

The 22-year-old met his own target by making the semi-finals of the 100m butterfly.

But he couldn’t do any better as he clocked 54.56, off his personal best of 54.05, to finish sixth.

“I’m happy to make the semi-finals but I’m not really satisfied with the timing. It’s not a personal best,” said the Selangor-born swimmer.

“I trained to swim faster but I couldn’t make it. Now I need to go back and work harder because I still want to break the national record.”

Daniel Bego holds the 100m butterfly national record with a time of 53.33 set during the World Championships in 2009.