Fadhil Yunus
The country’s leading swimmers were feted with national records certificates following impressive performances in various domestic meets at the Cosmopolitan College of Commerce and Technology yesterday.
A total of 14 national records were achieved in the long course events and a total of nine national records were achieved in the short course events. The national records were made between November 1, 2022 and February 5, 2023.
Brunei’s up-and-coming swimmer Zeke Chan achieved three national records including twice in the Brunei Darussalam School Games 2022 and once in the 44th South East Asian Age Group Swimming Championships in Malaysia.
His compatriot Hayley Wong, who has been drafted to the national squad, broke five national records in the long course and four in the short course events.
The men’s relay team comprising Christian Nikles, Zeke Chan, Joel Ling and Nur Haziq Samil also contributed to the list of national records with a time of 3:41.65s during the recently-concluded 8th Brunei Sprints Swimming Championships. Other national record holders included Md Danial Hakim Harjimmey, Md Khalaf Tabin Kamal and Nur Ayshah Lyna Md Rasimoon.
Nur Haziq and Christian also achieved new national records in individual meets with the former setting the new mark at the Solidarity Games in Kazan, and the latter achieving the record during the 1st Brunei National Age Group Swimming Championships.
Brunei Darussalam Swimming Association Vice President Dato Seri Paduka Haji Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa presented the certificates.
Earlier, the audience listened to a briefing by BDSA Honorary Secretary Ang Beng Siong.
He also identified the targetted international meets in the swimming calendar including the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in May and the 19th World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan in July.
During the briefing, the selection criteria was also heard especially the practice of selecting the best swimmer within the qualifying period based on the World Aquatic points.
The event was organised by the Brunei Darussalam Swimming Association. Also present were representatives from the Department of Youth and Sports.
