Isabelle emerges as new breaststroke hope for SEA Games

Rising star: Isabelle Chiyi Buckley captured her first Malaysian Open title in the women’s 100m breaststroke. — MOHD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Teen swimmer Isabelle Chiyi Buckley has emerged as Malaysia’s new breaststroke prospect after a breakthrough performance at the Malaysian Open in Bukit Jalil.

The 16-year-old, who turns 17 in July, captured her first Malaysian Open title by winning the women’s 100m breaststroke in 1:14.54, finishing ahead of Selangor’s Khoo Sue Enn (1:16.08s) and Perak’s Lee Yuan Yuan (1:16.53s).

With former national stalwart Phee Jinq En having retired last December after dominating the event for over a decade, Isabelle is now stepping up to fill the void and stake her claim ahead of next year’s SEA Games.

The English-Malaysian youngster, who impressed at last year’s Malaysia Games in Sarawak, is aiming for a stronger showing at her second SEA Games after making her debut in Thailand without a medal.

Meanwhile, Thailand SEA Games champion Khiew Hoe Yean continued to shine in the pool, bagging two more golds to bring his tally to four.

Hoe Yean sprang an upset by beating Jayden Tan in his pet 400m individual medley event. Hoe Yean won the race in 4:27.08s ahead of Jayden, the Thailand SEA Games bronze medallist in the event, who settled for silver in 4:29.96s.

Hoe Yean went on to win the 200m freestyle final in 1:50.13s, beating national teammate Ananda Lim Yin Chuen into second place with 1:51.52s.

Hoe Yean had won the 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke events on Thursday.

Men

50m backstroke: 1. Samuel Maxson Septonius (Ina) 26.88, 2. Tern Jian Han (WMSC) 26.90, 3. Oswald Lim (Sel) 27.30.

100m breaststroke: 1. Danush Suresh (Ind) 1:03.08, 2. Wan Khai Hern (Pen) 1:05.57, 3. Teo Zun Jet (Kul) 1:05.98.

200m freestyle: 1. Khiew Hoe Yean (Kul) 1:50.13, 2. Ananda Lim Yin Chuen (Pen) 1:51.52, 3. Mohd Dhuha Zulfikry (Kul) 1:52.74.

400m individual medley: 1. Khiew Hoe Yean (Kul) 4:27.08, 2. Jayden Tan (Kul) 4:29.96, 3. Goh Li Hen (Sel) 4:36.08.

1500m freestyle: 1. Mohd Dhuha Zulfikry (Kul) 15:58.92, 2. Samuel Lai (Pen) 16:30.67, 3. Lewis Mu (Kul)

16:31.79.

Women

50m backstroke: 1. Chong Xin Lin (Kul) 29.47, 2. Vivian Tee (Pen) 30.71, 3. Lai Wen An (Mlk) 30.79.

100m breaststroke: 1. Isabelle Chiyi Buckley (Kul) 1:14.54, 2. Khoo Sue Enn (Sel) 1:16.08, 3. Lee Yuan Yuan (Prk) 1:16.53.

200m freestyle: 1. Chong Yuan Yi (Sel) 2:08.28, 2. Khew Zi Xian (Sel) 2:11.38, 3. Kelly Teo Yao (Swk) 2:11.65.

400m individual medley: 1. Aw Yuet Ting (Pen) 5:04.43, 2. Shannon Tan (Sel) 5:08.37, 3. Kelly Teo Yao (Swk) 5:16.84.

800m freestyle: 1. Chong Yuan Yi (Sel) 9:22.89, 2. Tan Rui Nee (Pen) 9:29.90, 3. Yeoh Yun Xuan (Pen) 9:37.53.