Jayden out to make a splash in second SEA Games appearance

Counting on experience: Jayden Tan is expecting his participation in previous SEA Games will help him do better in Cambodia.

PETALING JAYA: A year older, a year wiser.

Swimmer Jayden Tan is all pumped up to do better in his second SEA Games outing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from May 5-17.

The 18-year-old Jayden will compete in the individual medley events – 200m and 400m as well as the 400m freestyle.

Jayden will also join Khiew Hoe Yean, Lim Yin Chuen and Arvin Shaun Singh Chahal to form the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team.

At the Hanoi SEA Games last year, Jayden missed out on the podium after completing the 400m individual medley in 4:30.91 and 1500m freestyle in 16:04.91 to finish fifth and fourth respectively.

Jayden, however, believes that he did not return home empty-handed as it was a fruitful outing for him.

“Even though I didn’t do too well I am grateful for the experience gained. My preparations for the upcoming SEA Games have been going well and I hope to do better this time.

“The goal is always to improve and surely I am targeting for a medal, probably in relay or one of the individual medley events.”

The men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team of Welson Sim, Yin Chuen, Hoe Yean and Arvin paid a heavy price in Hanoi for a false start, which cost them a silver medal and a national record.

According to the preliminary results, Singapore and Malaysia finished first and second respectively, with Vietnam in third.

Vietnam clinched the gold while Indonesia and Thailand won silver and bronze respectively following the disqualification of Singapore and Malaysia.

National coach Chris Martin hopes that the swimmers will avoid making a similar mistake in Cambodia.

“We had special training last time but the mistake was still made. It happens in the heat of the competition,” said Martin.

“We weren’t in that position before when they were doing well. But nerves got the better of them back then. This time, the boys are expected to be in contention and that should help.”

In the previous edition, the national swimming squad delivered one gold through Hoe Yean in the men’s 200m freestyle event.