BANGKOK: A Malaysian swimmer has finally made it to the men's 50m freestyle podium after 22 years.
19-year-old Tong Yu Jing produced an unexpected splash by romping to a new national record and a medal in his first assignment with the senior national team.
Yu Jing bagged a bronze after touching home in 22.48s in the men's 50m freestyle event at Huamak Aquatic Centre last night.
Singaporeans Mikkel Lee and Teong Tzen Wei claimed gold (21.92s) and silver (22.42s) respectively.
Yu Jing had provided a teaser of what he was capable of when he qualified third fastest in the morning heats with 22.92s, just 0-1s off the national record held by Bryan Leong since last year.
And he raised his performance a notch higher in the evening final, just obliterating the national record to become the first Malaysian swimmer to stand on the blue riband sprint race since Allen Ong took silver in Vietnam edition in 2003.
"I was just aiming for the national record honestly, and not expecting to win a medal as this is a one lap race.
"I knew I would have to have a perfect start off the blocks to have any chance to finish strong.
"A medal is the bonus as I have not joined the national training centre just a few months back only.
"This will push me to train harder as I know I have it to be better," said the Penang-born swimmer, who also won the event at the Malaysia Games in Sarawak last year.
There was also extra cheers as the men's 4x200m freestyle quartet of Khiew Hoe Yean, Terence Ng, Ananda Lim and Arvin Shaun Singh smashed the national record on their way to a silver.
The relay quartet clocked 7:19.50s to erase the previous national record of 7:19.66s set back in July this year. Terence did not swim at that time but Jayden Tan did.
Malaysia in fact, led at the half-way mark but was not able to sustain the pace till the end.
"I think we started too fast and could not keep up. Anyway, it's a nice medal to get the momentum going for the next four days when we will be doing our individual races," said Arvin.
RESULTS
(Swimming finals)
Men
50m freestyle: 1. Mikkel Lee (Sin) 21.92, 2. Teong Tzen Wei (Sin) 22.42, 3. Tong Yu Jing (Mas) 22.48.
100m breaststroke: 1. Thanh Bao Pham (Vie) 1:01.43, 2. Chan Chun Ho (Sin) 1:01.72, 3. Maximillian Ang (Sin) 1:02.35. Selected: 5. Andrew Goh (Mas) 1:03.24.
4x200m freestyle: 1. Vietnam 7:18.67, 2. Malaysia 7:19.50, 3. Singapore 7:21.13.
Women
50m backstroke: 1. Masniari Wolf (Ina) 28.80, 2. Saovanee Boonampha (Tha) and Kayla Sanchez (Phi) 28.84. Selected: 5. Chong Xin Lin (Mas) 29.47.
