SPM results have to wait as Chong passes test in M’sian Open first

Pushing the limits: Chong Xin Lin in action during the women’s 100m backstroke final.

KUALA LUMPUR: Swimming first, exam result later.

This approach paid off for 18-year-old Chong Xin Lin as she kept her eyes on the pool by delivering a strong performance at the Malaysian Open while others were busy checking their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results yesterday.

The Kuala Lumpur lass splashed her way to the second place in the women’s 100m backstroke final by clocking 1:04.29s in the opening day of the actions at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.

Indonesia took the first and third spots through Aulia Adelia Chantika (1:03.49) and W. Flairene Candrea (1:04.47).

“I haven’t checked my SPM results yet,” said Xin Lin.

“I was afraid to check it because I didn’t want it to affect my emotion before the race.

“Maybe I’ll check it tomorrow after my final race (50m backstroke).”

Despite her strong and focused effort, Xin Lin was down because she fell short of her personal goal.

“It’s a bit disappointing because I didn’t manage to break the national record, which was my main goal,” said Xin Lin after the prize-giving ceremony.

“My target was 1:03.00 and that was the time I was working on. I just wanted to achieve my personal best.

“But I’m still happy to be back to compete in my first competition after completing my SPM,” she said.

The national record of 1:03.91s, held by former international Chui Lai Kwan since 2009, remains untouched for now.

The Kuala Lumpur-born Xin Lin’s time yesterday also met the SEA Games qualifying standard (1:05.17s), strengthening her case for a spot in the national squad.

But she was smiling in the mixed relay event when she combined forces with Cham Yu Xiang, Mohd Dhuha Zulfikry and Lee Wei Wen to win the gold with a time of 4:05.01s.