Teen swimmer Jonas shows he’s a potential SEA Games champion

PETALING JAYA: Young swimmer Jonas Lau (pic) is heading in the right direction towards achieving his ambition of becoming a SEA Games champion at the 2025 Thailand edition after winning the NX113 Melaka Open Water Swim Challenge in Encore Melaka recently.

The 15-year-old Sarawakian won the 5km race in one hour, eight minutes and nine seconds (1’08:09), more than six minutes over his closest rival Jose Louis Larrosa of Spain (1’14:54).

Another Malaysian swimmer Adrian Tam finished third, crossing the line in 1’49:36.

Jonas said the victory proved he made the right decision to switch from pool to open water swimming four years ago.

“I did not really stand out in pool events. I am short and my body structure is small compared to my swimming peers, so it was tough to make an impression in pool swimming,” said Jonas.

“I then decided to try out open water swimming, which emphasises on mental strength, character and endurance.

“My performances have been quite good. Last year. I won a few open water swimming events and last month, I finished third in the 16-17 age group category at the Bali Oceanman.

“I am using these achievements to motivate and build my confidence for bigger goals.

“My ambition is to emulate two-time Olympian Heidi Gan (London 2012 and Rio 2016) by qualifying for the Olympics one day.

“However, to achieve that ultimate goal, I must perform and get noticed by selectors. My short-term ambition is to be selected for the 2025 SEA Games.”

The NX113 Melaka Triathlon also saw Ng Han Yang and Dhanealakshmi Selvadurai crowned the national boys’ and girls’ youth champions.

The sprint event (300m swimming, 10km bike and 2km running) of the Melaka Triathlon is recognised as a national youth meet by Malaysia Triathlon to determine the country’s best Under-15 triathletes.

Han Yang, 13, topped the boys’ battle in 34:41.07, followed by Thye Ju Quan (36:03.0) and Lai Xuan Er (36:13.3).

Dhanealakshmi won the girls’ event, clocking 40:46.7, finishing ahead of second-placed Siti Aisyah Mohd Azizi (40:55.1) and third-placed Loo Ay Ron (42:18.1).

It was Melaka-born Han Yang’s second consecutive victory after his success at last month’s NX113 Triathlon Desaru.