Hoe Yean smashes national record to win silver at World University Games
PETALING JAYA: Swimmer Khiew Hoe Yean made a big splash by breaking his own national record to deliver a surprise silver on the first day of World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany on Thursday (July 18).
The Malaysian contingent was not targeting a medal from the pool but Hoe Yean beat the odds with a smooth performance.
The 22-year-old touched in 3:47.38s to take almost a second off his previous national record time of 3:48.36s that he set at the Australian Championships in Gold Coast in April last year.
Nikolai Kolesnikov, swimming under Individual Neutral Athletes banner, took gold in 3:46.66s.
American Ryan James Erisman Jr finished right after Hoe Yean to claim the bronze medal in 3:47.52s.
Hoe Yean had raised hopes earlier after qualifying for the final with the fourth fastest time of 3:50.13s in the heats.
Hoe Yean not just secured the first medal for Malaysia contingent but is also only the second national swimmer to stand on the podium in Universiade history.
Jeffrey Ong had taken silver in the men's 1,500m freestyle back in the 1991 edition in Sheffield, England.
Hoe Yean will return to the pool to swim the men's 200m freestyle today.
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