IT could have been the perfect ending to his Commonwealth Games campaign but debutant Khiew Hoe Yean (pic) could not find that extra push to break into the top eight in the men’s 200m backstroke event.
Hoe Yean, who had 2018 Gold Coast five-gold medallist Mitch Larkin of Australia for company, settled for fourth overall in Heat 3 with 2:02.01 yesterday.
That placed him in 10th overall with only the top eight going through to the final.
England’s Luke Greenbank was the fastest with 1:56.33.
It was the last event for Hoe Yean in Birmingham and the 20-year-old will return home with the achievement of making one final in the 400m freestyle last week.
Hoe Yean finished sixth in the 400m freestyle final, which was won by reigning world champion Elijah Winnington of Australia.
Bryan Leong can also take heart from his performance despite missing out on the men’s 50m butterfly final on Monday.
The 19-year-old Bryan, who is studying in England, improved on his timing in the semi-finals, clocking 53.87 while swimming with defending champion Chad le Clos of South Africa.
Unfortunately, his time only puts him 13th overall and missed out on the top-eight final.
Bryan posted 53.94 in the morning heats.
On Monday, Bryan finished 25th overall in the 50m freestyle in 23.64 to miss out on the top 16 semi-finals.
Arvin Shaun Singh will compete in the men’s 200m individual medley today.
