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KUCHING (Sept 14): The Sarawak swim team made an impressive splash on the opening day of the Majlis Sukan Sekolah Malaysia (MSSM) 2024, securing the top position in the medal tally. With seven gold, four silver, and four bronze medals, Sarawak leads the competition at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.
Sarawak’s Dominance in the Pool
Sarawak’s swimmers showcased their prowess in various events, positioning themselves as the frontrunners in this prestigious school-level competition. Kuala Lumpur is currently in second place with five gold, two silver, and two bronze medals, followed closely by Selangor with four gold, seven silver, and five bronze medals.
Record-Breaking Performances by Sheamus Chew
Among the standout performers was 12-year-old Sarawakian swimmer Sheamus Chew Heng Yi, who made headlines by breaking two long-standing records.
- 100m Backstroke: Sheamus clocked an impressive time of 1:07.07 in the 100m Backstroke, surpassing the previous record of 1:07.33 set by Ian James Barr in 2007. His remarkable feat has earned him widespread recognition as a rising star in Malaysian swimming.
- 50m Butterfly: Sheamus continued his winning streak by securing gold in the 50m Butterfly with another record-breaking time of 27.40 seconds, smashing Damien Seth Lim’s 2023 record of 28.74 seconds.
Other Sarawakian Achievements
The Sarawak team’s success did not end with Sheamus’ triumphs. Several other swimmers from Sarawak also made their mark on day one of MSSM 2024.
- 100m Backstroke: In the girls’ 12 and under category, 12-year-old Liysha Liung Chen Celestine Baru brought home a gold medal. Meanwhile, in the boys’ 15 and under category, 15-year-old Dylan Leong Yi Quan added another gold to Sarawak’s tally. Fellow Sarawakian swimmer, Cayden Mineve Chin, finished in fourth place in the same event.
- 100m Backstroke (Girls 18 and Under): Christy Wong Yao Xuan won a bronze medal, adding to Sarawak’s overall success.
- 50m Butterfly (Girls 12 and Under): Elisha Lee secured a bronze medal in this event. For the boys’ 15 and under category, Dylan Leong achieved a silver medal, further contributing to Sarawak’s strong position.
New Records in 200m Freestyle
Sarawak’s dominance extended into the 200m Freestyle events, with more record-breaking performances.
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- 200m Freestyle (Boys 12 and Under): Sheamus Chew once again set a new record, completing the race in 2:11.21, breaking the old record of 2:11.92 held by Daniel William Henry Bego since 2001. This exceptional performance highlights Sheamus’ potential as one of Malaysia’s future swimming champions.
- 200m Freestyle (Girls 12 and Under): Elisha Lee earned a silver medal in this event, while fellow Sarawakian swimmer Lisha finished fourth.
- 200m Freestyle (Girls 15 and Under): Chereen Ngo Yirui claimed a silver medal, continuing Sarawak’s impressive medal haul. In the boys’ 15 and under category, Ryan Colby Kueh Poh Yuan secured another gold for Sarawak.
Success in Breaststroke and Butterfly
Sarawak’s swimmers also performed admirably in the Breaststroke and Butterfly events.
- 50m Breaststroke (Boys 12 and Under): Louis Tie Xun Rui earned a silver medal, with fellow Sarawakian Max Chew Yu Xiang finishing just shy of the podium in fourth place.
- 50m Butterfly (Boys 15 and Under): Seau Zhi Ping contributed a bronze medal, further solidifying Sarawak’s overall lead.
Sarawak Leading the Medal Count
At the end of day one, Sarawak is in the lead with seven gold, four silver, and four bronze medals. Their early dominance at MSSM 2024 is a testament to the state’s strong swimming programme and the dedication of its young athletes.
MSSM 2024: A Platform for Future Champions
The MSSM Aquatic events, which run from 13th to 20th September 2024, provide a platform for young swimmers from across Malaysia to showcase their skills and compete at the national level. Sarawak’s strong start positions them as favourites to maintain their lead throughout the competition, but with several more days of events to come, anything can happen.
Sarawak’s swimmers have set the bar high for the rest of the tournament. With their determination, talent, and record-breaking performances, Sarawak is well on its way to claiming the title of MSSM 2024 champions.
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