KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — After scooping the 20th Malaysia Games (Sukma) gold medal, Selangor swimmer Terence Ng Shin Jian has set his sights on the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games.
The 21-year-old athlete shared his joy after successfully changing the colour of bronze won at Sukma 2018 to a glistening gold medal in the same event, the men’s 200 metres freestyle, with a winning time of 1 minute 51.29 seconds.
He managed to fend off the challenge from Federal Territories’ Khai Xin Tan, who took silver in 1:52.46s, while Melaka’s Zheng Yong Low had to settle for bronze in 1:53.83s.
Shin Jian, who is more fondly known as Terence, is grateful that all the hard work since he started dabbling in the sport at the age of 11 has been translated into victory at his last Sukma appearance.
“I feel very happy and excited as this was not expected, so it is a shock for me, including achieving my personal best today (yesterday). Before this, I managed only bronze in 2018, so this time getting gold was a different feeling.
“Now I’m still training under the state of Selangor but I will go back and train harder. Next, I aim to be at the SEA Games in Cambodia but first I must make it to the Malaysian contingent,” he said at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil here yesterday.
Meanwhile, young Sabahan Yie Bing Loo pulled off a surprise when she emerged champion in the women’s 200 metres freestyle in 2 mins 07:03 secs.
The 14-year-old swimmer, who is making her second appearance in Sukma, had to stave off Sarawak’s Yao Kelly Teo, who finished in 2:07.63s for silver, and Johor’s Yong Qi Ong, who took bronze in 2:08.46s.
“In 2018 in Perak, I was only in sixth place, so this is indeed a great comeback but I need to improve my swimming style since I am aiming for action at the SEA Games next year,” she said.
— Bernama
