Story by Les Tan and Erwin Wong/Red Sports. Photos by Lim Yong Teck, Clara Yuan and Matthew Lau/Red Sports
Quah Zheng Wen set a national record in the 50m backstroke with a timing of 25.52 seconds. His finish also secures him a nomination for the event at the upcoming 28th SEA Games. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
OCBC Aquatic Centre, Sunday, March 22, 2015 — Quah Zheng Wen finished off a successful meet with a national record of 25.52 seconds in the 50m backstroke super final at the Singapura Finance 46th Singapore National Age Group Swimming Championships.
Zach Ong finished second in 26.64s while Francis Fong was third in 26.95s, which was also a new meet record for 15-17 years old. Francis broke his own meet record of 27.28s set earlier in the morning heats, and went below 27s for the first time ever in the final. Zheng Wen also broke the meet record of 25.69s for 18 years and older which he had set in the morning heats.
Zheng Wen and Zach, who swam a 26.52s at the Singapore National Swimming Championships in December 2014, are the two fastest swimmers for this event during the SEA Games qualifying period, and will thus be nominated for this event at the Games.
The 50m breaststroke super final saw Clement Lim win by 0.17s over Lionel Khoo in a come-from-behind swim, while Pang Sheng Jun also surged from behind to edge out Teo Zhen Ren in the 400m freestyle super final.
“You don’t know what to expect sometimes with 50m races. I’m glad I hit 25.52s. It’s a pretty decent time and puts me in the top few in Southeast Asia alongside the likes of I Gede Siman Sudartawa (25.40s, 2014 Asian Games) of Indonesia,” said Zheng Wen, who led from the start and had a stroke rate that was visibly faster than his nearest challengers.
“It’s been a pretty tiring week. Intense definitely. I was using the meet as a trial run for SEA Games. It came down to rest and discipline between the heats and finals,” analyzed Zheng Wen.
“The highlight of the meet was the national record in the 100m freestyle, and to be the first Singapore man to go under 50s. When I saw the timing on the board, I was amazed,” added Zheng Wen.
Clement Lim overcame a bad start to win the 50m breaststroke super final in 28.45s to set a new meet record for 18 years and older. He broke the old mark of 29.02s set by Lionel Khoo. Lionel finished second in the race in 28.62s while Christopher Cheong was third in 29.68s.
Clement came out of the start behind Lionel Khoo. However, he pulled even with 15m to go and won the final by 0.17s. Both swimmers clocked personal bests, and with these timings are the fastest two swimmers during the SEA Games qualifying window.
“I had a bad start. My under water pull out, I didn’t do it properly. Perhaps not enough experience. I went too deep and couldn’t surface properly,” said Clement. Clement also qualified for the SEA Games in the 50m freestyle and the 4x100m freestyle relay.
“I was focusing on my technique, not so on my time. My coaches have been working on my technique because it’s not so good for the 50m breaststroke,” said Lionel.
“Training has been more on longer strokes, so not focusing on explosive strokes. We are focusing on the Olympic distances because the 50m isn’t in it,” added Lionel, who has qualified for the 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke at the SEA Games.
The 400m freestyle super final saw Pang Sheng Jun edge out training mate Teo Zhen Ren to win the race and secure the final spot for the SEA Games in the event. Sheng Jun edged home first in a time of 3:58.96, holding off a hard-charging Zhen Ren who clocked 3:59.31. Darren Chua was third in 4:08.85. Danny Yeo has the fastest time of 3:55.39 in the 400m which he set at the 2014 Asian Games.
Zhen Ren led for the first 200m by no more than half a body length and going into the turn for the third 100, he just about kept the lead. However, Sheng Jun pushed strongly off the wall to catch up with Zhen Ren and then started pulling away to lead by a body length.
Sheng Jun kept this lead for the next 150m before Zhen Ren put in a late burst in the final 50m to narrow the gap. But Sheng Jun kept the lead to touch the wall first.
“My main focus was on the little things like the turns,” said Sheng Jun, who has now qualified for three events – 4x200m freestyle relay, 400 IM, and 400 freestyle – for the SEA Games. “We pushed each other for a good race.”
“I had the 1500m yesterday and that took a lot out of me. I was aching so much. I’ve never experienced having the 1500m race before the 400m freestyle,” said Teo Zhen Ren, who, despite missing out in the 400m freestyle, still qualified for the SEA Games in the 1500m freestyle.
Darren Chua 15, was named Most Valuable Swimmer (Boys) for the 15-17 age group.
“I missed out on a 4x200m freestyle relay spot for SEA Games by 0.5. I was aiming for World Juniors for three events and I made it. I also had two PBs,” said Darren, as he recalled what happened in the week.
“The 200 and 400 freestyle races were the highlight for me because I really went all out. There was pressure racing with the older swimmers,” added Darren.
Maximillian Ang, 14, was named Most Valuable Swimmer (Boys) for the 13-14 age group.
“The meet was a good experience. The feeling of pushing yourself was stressful, exhausting because of the intense programme of heats and finals,” said Max, who swam in nine heats and nine finals, and had two back-to-back races.
For more details of the event, go to: www.facebook.com/swimsnag
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