Unstoppable Hoe Yean nets three more titles at Malaysian Open
KUALA LUMPUR: National swimmer Khiew Hoe Yean continued his outstanding run at the Malaysia Open by bagging three more gold medals to take his tally to six at the National Aquatics Centre in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.
The 23-year-old, who had already won the men's 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 200m freestyle over the first two days, added victories in the 400m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay and 200m backstroke.
The Federal Territories swimmer dominated the 400m freestyle, winning in 3:52.56.
Compatriot Dhuha Zulfikry (3:55.96) took silver, while Hong Kong's Yi Shun Wang (4:03.08) finished third.
Hoe Yean, who also holds the national record for the event (3:48.36), comfortably surpassed the A qualifying time for the Thailand Sea Games in December.
He then returned to the pool shortly after to claim another gold in the 200m backstroke, clocking 2:04.21.
Sarawak's Hii Puong Wei (2:06.99) and Selangor's Daniel Williams (2:07.46) completed the podium.
Hoe Yean capped off his golden haul by teaming up with FT teammates Jayden Tan, Dhuha, and Teo Zun Jet to win the 4x200m freestyle relay.
They posted 7:32.38, smashing the previous meet record of 7:40.62 set by Hong Kong in 2018.
Selangor (7:37.83) and Hong Kong (7:43.06) took silver and bronze respectively.
"This is one of the hardest back-to-back events I have ever had to swim," said Hoe Yean.
"The interval between the 400m freestyle and the 200m backstroke was only 10 minutes. It was very tough, especially after going all out in the first event.
"In the opening 50 metres of the 200m backstroke, I felt unwell. But I managed to hold on for four laps, so I'm glad.
"My performances were not too bad. I met my expectations, so we're not far away. There are a few things I need to work on ahead of the Sea Games."
In the women's events, 14-year-old Tan Rui Nee of Penang clinched gold in the 400m freestyle, clocking 4:33.71 to narrowly beat Serenna Karmelita Muslim (4:33.72) of the Jaq-CA Swimming Club.
Sabah's Chu Xin Ying (4:37.72) finished third.
In the women's 50m breaststroke, national record holder Phee Jinq En finished third in 32.31.
Hong Kong's Wui Kui Man (32.10) and Claire Cheung (32.17) claimed gold and silver respectively.
Nonetheless, Jinq En's time was good enough to meet the SEA Games B qualifying mark.
Teenager Isabelle Chiyi Buckley will have to wait for another opportunity to qualify after finishing fourth with 32.89 — just 0.19 outside the B qualifying time.
RESULTS
Men's 400m freestyle: 1. Khiew Hoe Yean 3:52.55s (FT), 2. Dhuha Zulfikry 3:55.96 (FT), 3. Wang Yi Shun 4:03.08 (Hkg);
200m backstroke: 1. Khiew Hoe Yean 2:04.21 (FT), 2. Hii Puong Wei 2:06.99 (Swk), 3. Daniel Williams 2:07.46 (Sel);
100m butterfly: 1. Kurniawan Joe Aditya Wijaya 53.83 (Ina), 2. Surasit Thongdeang 53.84 (Tha), 3. Chan Jie 54.52 (Sel);
50m breaststroke: 1. Felix Viktor Iberle 27.52 (Ina), 2. Yik Ki Tsui 27.96 (Hkg), 3. Joseph Chan 29.02 (Mel);
4x200m freestyle relay: 1. FT 7:32.38 (MR), 2. Selangor 7:37.83, 3. Hong Kong 7:43.06.
Women's 400m freestyle: 1. Tan Rui Nee 4:33.71 (Pen), 2. Serenna Karmelita Muslim 4:33.72 (Jaq-CA), 3. Chu Xin Ying 4:37.72 (Sbh);
200m backstroke: 1. Aulia Adelia Chantika 2:17.64 (Ina), 2. Chong Xin Lin 2:23.12 (FT), 3. Vivian Tee 2:26.57 (Pen);
100m butterfly: 1. Nicholle Toh 1:00.61 (Sin), 2. Fang Michelle Surjadi 1:01.72 (Ina), 3. Megan Ho 1:03.37 (FT);
50m breaststroke: 1. Wui Kui Man 32.10 (Hkg), 2. Claire Cheung 32.17 (Hkg), 3. Phee Jinq En 32.31 (Sel);
4x200m freestyle relay: 1. Selangor 8:58.08, 2. Penang 9:04.92, 3. FT 9:11.33.
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