NEW CLARK CITY (Philippines): After failing to impress in the women’s 200 breaststroke event Thursday, national elite swimmer, Phee Jinq En splashed her way to the first gold medal for the Malaysian contingent at the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines, Friday.
The 21-year-old Selangor-born who is currently pursuing his double major studies in marketing and management at the Purdue University in Indiana, United States, clocked 31.40 seconds in the women’s 50 meters breaststroke event at the New Clark City Aquatics Centre, here.
Thailand’s Jenjira Srisa-ard and Christie Chue May Mun Ee of Singapore settled for the silver and bronze medals, respectively with a time of 31.41 and 31.43 seconds.
Another Malaysian swimmer, Alicia Soosai came in seventh out of eight swimmers with a time of 33.24 seconds. Earlier, Jinq En clocked a similar time in the qualifying session which consequently erased her old national records of 31.46 at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
“I’m really happy to win this medal after being denied twice and the third time was a charm, and I will try my best to retain the gold medal in the 100m breaststroke on the last day of swimming competition (Dec 9) despite my competitors are getting faster,” she told reporters when met after the medal presentation ceremony at the venue.
Meanwhile, national young swimmer, Khiew Hoe Yean put up an illustrious performance after winning the bronze medal in the men’s 200m backstroke. Singapore’s Quah Zheng Wen retained the gold he won at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games by clocking 2 minutes 00.06 seconds, while Farrel Armandio Tangkas of Indonesia grabbed the silver (2:02.75 seconds). – Bernama
