BANGKOK: Khiew Hoe Yean delivered Malaysia’s first swimming gold at the SEA Games by completing a memorable hattrick in the men’s 200m freestyle.
The national swimmer edged Vietnam’s Van Nguyen Quoc Tra in a nail-biting finish, touching home in 1:48.64, just 0.06 seconds ahead of his rival at the Huamark Aquatic Centre on Saturday (Dec 13).
His teammate Arvin Shaun Singh also made it a good day by claiming bronze in 1:50.43.
Hoe Yean had also won gold in the event at the 2021 Hanoi and 2023 Cambodia Games, making his latest triumph a third straight SEA Games title.
Meanwhile, Phee Jinq En continued her fine run at the SEA Games by adding a silver medal in the women’s 100m breaststroke.
The Malaysian touched the wall in 1:10.09 to finish second, four seconds behind Singapore’s Letitia Sim, who clinched gold in 1:06.79. Vietnam’s Thuy Hien Nguyen settled for bronze after clocking 1:10.40.
Earlier, Jinq En had also claimed bronze in the women’s 50m breaststroke.
