SEA Games dream hits rough waters for Jayden after Category A setback

Decent outing: Jayden Tan won bronze in the 400m individual medley and 4x200m freestyle relay in the 2023 Cambodia Games.

PETALING JAYA: Two years after making waves at the SEA Games, Jayden Tan finds himself fighting a different battle and it is not in the pool.

The 21-year-old Jayden is unhappy that he is placed under Category B for this year’s SEA Games in Thailand from Dec 9-20, saying it has left him demotivated and disappointed.

Jayden, who won bronze in the 400m individual medley and 4x200m freestyle relay in the 2023 Cambodia Games, said he had expected to be under Category A due to his recent achievements and was baffled with the Malaysia Swimming’s (MS) decision.

Under Category B, athletes need to get their own funding and will only be reimbursed if they win a silver or gold.

After going all out to prepare for the Games for the past two years, Jayden felt that his efforts had not been appreciated.

“I feel that by placing me under Category B, they have written me off from winning a medal,” lamented Jayden.

“But I’ve already proven myself in the previous SEA Games.

“This competition has been my goal for the past two years and I’ve been looking forward to winning in my pet events.

“And it’s not like I’m retired and coming back. I’ve been actively training the past two years.”

Jayden believes he has met the criteria set for Category A.

According to the criteria, athletes who achieve a score or time that equals or betters the top three finishers from the previous SEA Games or are ranked in the top three in South-East Asia based on recent tournament performance, will be placed under Category A.

In the Cambodia Games, Jayden set a new national record of 4:23.24s to win bronze in the 400m individual medley.

In the Malaysian Open in May, he splashed to a gold with a time of 4:26.44s, which would have earned him a third place finish in the Games.

The youngster’s time in the home Open was also enough for him to qualify for the World Championships in Singapore in July.

Jayden is now appealing to MS, Olympic Council of Malaysia and Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to place him in Category A.

“I’m trying to appeal to all three parties to place me in Category A. I hope they will take my achievements into consideration and be fair to me,” said Jayden.