Johorean makes heads turn with 100m breaststroke golden feat

One happy gal: Johor’s Tan Rou Xin biting her gold medal after winning the women’s 100m breaststroke event at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star

TAN Rou Xin provided the answer as to who will assume the mantle currently occupied by two-time Olympian swimmer Phee Jinq En after splashing to gold in her Malaysia Games (Sukma) debut.

The 15-year-old Johorean won the women’s 100m breaststroke gold with 1:11.25 at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Selangor’s Low Ee Mang took silver with 1:14.96 ahead of Sabah’s Lovell Wong, who finished 1:16.15.

Rou Xin was delighted with the result in her pet race.

“This is my personal best time. I’ve never gone faster than 1:12. I’m super excited with this gold medal as I’ve waited four years for this,” said Rou Xin.

“I have to confess, I did not expect to win as there were many other strong swimmers.

“I knew I had to swim a good time to be on the podium.

“I dedicate this win to my parents who never complain as they always sent me to training right after finishing work.

“I hope I will get the opportunity to swim for the country after this.

“I was offered a place but I did not join the training camp as I stayed behind to prepare with the Johor team.

“Maybe after this, I will join the Bukit Jalil programme as I want to compete in next year’s Cambodia SEA Games.

“I hope to be like my idol, Jinq En, and make the country proud.” Finals

RESULTS

Men

50m backstroke: 1. Arvin Shaun Singh (Ter) 26.94, 2. Jordan Yip (Sel) 27.39, 3. Hii Puong Wei (Swk) 27.46.

100m breaststroke: 1. Hii Puong Wei (Swk) 1:03.95, 2. Job Tan (Swk) 1:04.05, 3. Khiew Tze Yean (FT) 1:04.06.

200m freestyle: 1. Terence Ng (Sel) 1:51.29, 2. Jayden Tan (FT) 1:52.46, 3. Low Zheng Yong (Mel) 1:53.83.

400m individual medley: 1. Jayden Tan (FT) 4:28.22, 2. Sebastian Soon (FT) 4:28.77, 3. Jordan Yip (Sel) 4:37.42.

Women

50m backstroke: 1. Chong Xin Lin (FT) 30.07, 2. Tan Rouxin (Joh) 30.84, 3. Nessa Yip (Sel) 31.30.

100m breaststroke: 1. Tan Rou Xin (Joh) 1:11.25, 2. Low Ee Mang (Sel) 1:14.96, 3. Lovell Wong (Sab) 1:16.15.

200m freestyle: 1. Loo Yie Bing (Sab) 2:07.03, 2. Kelly Teo (Swk) 2:07.63, 3. Ong Yong Qi (Joh) 2:08.46.

400m individual medley: 1. Ong Yong Qi (Joh) 5:02.78, 2. Kelly Teo (Swk) 5:13.23, 3. Yoong Jia Jia (Sel) 5:16.11.