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).