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| Pumped up: Kuala Lumpur’s Khiew Hoe Yean reacts after winning the 1,500m event at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star |
PETALING JAYA: Swimmer Khiew Hoe Yean is inching closer to break one of the long-standing national records that has eluded many – the men’s 1,500m freestyle.
The 20-year-old showed that he can also excel in long distance event when he won the race with a time of 15:30.90 in the Malaysian Open at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
His Kuala Lumpur teammate Jayden Tan, 17, finished second in 15:56.87 while Melaka’s Low Zheng Yong was third with 16:02.02.
The 1,500m freestyle is the oldest national record held by Jeffrey Ong since 1991.
The former SEA Games multiple gold medallist clocked 15:23.61 when he took silver in the World Games in Sheffield, England and it has stood unchallenged over the years.
Hoe Yean’s performance was nothing short of impressive considering that he had to race two sessions (preliminary and final) in the middle distance races over the last three days.
His performance also saw him beating the World Aquatics Championships B qualifying time of 15:36.30.
The world meet will be held in Budapest, Hungary in July and Hoe Yean is pleased to sign off with a creditable performance on the last day.
“It’s nice to clock 15:30. It is more of a mental challenge for myself,” said Hoe Yean, who has completed a sweep of all the freestyle individual events.
Earlier, he had won the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle events ahead of former SEA Games champion Welson Sim.
Welson, who pulled out of the national team programme last month, did not race in the 1,500m freestyle.
“I did think about this record but it’s not a main focus. I prefer the middle distance events but I’m ready if my coach (Chris Martin) puts me up for it,” he added.
National swimmer Phee Jinq En also claimed her third individual gold when she won the women’s 50m breaststroke in 32.77. She had won the 100m and 200m distances earlier.
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