The swimming event of the 2nd Brunei Darussalam Schools Games (BDSG) came to a close amid a flurry of national and meet records at the National Swimming Pool of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas yesterday.
The Cluster 3 contingent impressed in the morning session after dominating the 200-metre breaststroke in both the boys’ and girls’ events as well as the 100-metre (m) backstroke in the girls’ event.
Meanwhile, Cluster 2 continent managed to get on top of the podium in the 100m backstroke event in the boys’ event.
The highlight of the programme came in the girls’ 100m backstroke event as swimming talent Leilani Stowers clinched gold en route to a new national record with a time of 1:10.11s.
The Cluster 3 medal hope beat the national record of 1:12.39s previously achieved by Ashley Chai in September 2019.
She also fended stiff competition from rising star Sharmeen Md Mharvin, who also swam under the banner of Cluster 3, who also eclipsed the previous national record with a time of 1:12.27s.
Cluster 3’s Wong Kai Jie struck gold in the boys’ 200m breaststroke after clocking a time of 2:37.36s, comfortably ahead of Anastase Guillou from Cluster 3 who settled for silver with a time of 2:43.84s.
In what was an expected top three featuring seasoned swimmers in the domestic circuit, Cluster 4’s Dylan Wong claimed bronze with a time of 2:56.97s.
It was double joy for Wong Kai Jie with his time enough to set a new meet record, smashing the time of 3:37.80s set by Anastase Guillou in the 2022 edition. In the 100m backstroke, 13-year old Danniel Chan won gold with a time of 1:08.02s and slowed down slightly the relentless march of Wong Kai and his Cluster 3 teammates.
Wong Kai settled for silver with a time of 1:14.52s with Justin Foo rounding off the podium in bronze medal position with a time of 1:15.94s.
Acting Head of Science, Technology and Environment Partnership (STEP) Centre Pengiran Hajah Mas Joliwane binti Pengiran Haji Tejudin presented the medals to the winners. – Fadhil Yunus
