NATIONAL swimmer Jayden Tan Khai Xin can still afford to smile despite missing the final of the men's 200m individual medley event at Tokyo Aquatics Centre.
The 22-year-old managed to post a personal best time of 2:04.64s in finishing sixth in Heat 2, which is just outside the national record of 2:03.29s set by Khiew Hoe Yean last year.
The time placed him 17th overall with only the 10 fastest swimmers going through to the final.
It was a debut to forget for another Malaysian swimmer Goh Li Jie, who also swam in Heat 2, but was disqualified for a stroke infraction.
Wang Shun of China, the Asian record holder in the event, won Heat 2 in 2:00.04s but he was not the fastest though.
Paris Olympic Games silver medallist Tomoyuki Matsushita of Japan blazed the lanes with 1:58.56s followed by his teammate Kojima Yumeki at second with 1:59.91s.
Thailand SEA Games bronze medallist swimmer Jayden was pleased to put up a career best time.
"I had a personal best of 2:05.00s for the 200m individual medley, which I did two years ago.
"Been trying hard to get under 2:05 and I'm just happy to be able to do it here.
"It gives me good confidence to attack the national record for the 400m individual medley later this week," said Jayden, who reached the 400m individual medley final at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games two months ago, the only Malaysian swimming finalist.
Hoe Yean got his individual campaign underway by posting 56.81s to finish 18th overall in the men's 100m backstroke heats.
It's not his pet event though as he is focusing on doing well in the 200m and 400m freestyle events next.
Arvin Shaun Singh and Ananda Lim Yin Chuen placed 14th (50.31s) and 21st (50.65s) overall in the men's 100m freestyle heats.
Jayden, Arvin and Hoe Yean will return to the pool today with Mohd Dhuha Zulfikry in a bid to qualify for the final of the men's 4x200m freestyle event.
Malaysia Games (Sukma) gold medallist Tong Yu Jing will make his debut in the men's 50m freestyle heats with Ananda while Andrew Goh will compete in the men's 100m breaststroke event.
