Latest news with #Universiade
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Pieter Coetzé blitzes backstroke in Germany to move to No.1 in the world
Pieter Coetzé stunned world swimming as he won the 100m backstroke crown at the World Student Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, on Saturday night in a lightning 51.99s. That time, which makes the 21-year-old South African the eighth fastest of all time, would have won the Olympic title in Paris last year. Coetzé, who ended fifth in France in a 52.58 African record, won the Universiade race by more than half a second, with American William Modglin touching in 52.54. The Pretoria-based South African, who hails from Rustenburg, broke his own continental mark in Friday's semifinals when he went 52.18. His performance suddenly places him as the top seed ahead of the world championships in Singapore, which kick off next Sunday. With the retirement of his Tuks teammate, breaststroke superstar Tatjana Smith, last year, Coetzé's display suggests he will stretch South Africa's unbroken run of world championship silverware to 24 years in Singapore. Coetzé is scheduled to compete in the 50m backstroke heats in Germany on Sunday morning.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia handed France test in Universiade badminton last-16 showdown
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's hopes of securing a medal in the badminton mixed team event at the World University Games (Universiade) have received a major boost following a favourable draw for the round of 16. The national team, who topped Group D, will face Group C runners-up France at the Westenergie Sporthalle in Berlin, Germany on Sunday. Victory over the French will see Malaysia progress to the quarter-finals, where they will meet either the United States or India. The team, led by former national shuttler Jacky Kok advanced to the last 16 after a commanding 4-1 win over Canada. Malaysia hope to improve on the two bronze medals won at the 2023 Russia Universiade and are hoping to secure at least a silver this time. Meanwhile, national swimmer Khiew Hoe Yean booked his spot in the semi-finals of the men's 200m freestyle in Berlin after clocking 1:48.68s to finish third in Heat Six. He had earlier won silver in the men's 400m freestyle on Thursday. Hoe Yean will be joined by compatriot Arvin Shaun Singh Chahal, who qualified by finishing sixth in Heat Eight with a time of 1:49.66. Both will compete in the semi-finals later on Saturday. In taekwondo, the national men's poomsae trio of Randy Owen Augustine Linggi, Chin Ken Haw and Jason Loo finished sixth in the final, a commendable result in Malaysia's debut appearance in the event. South Korea bagged the gold, with China taking silver and Taiwan settling for bronze.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Swimmer Hoe Yean makes Universiade history
KUALA LUMPUR: Swimmer Khiew Hoe Yean rewrote his own national record to deliver a historic silver medal for Malaysia on the first day of the World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany yesterday. The 22-year-old clocked 3:47.38s in the 400m freestyle to slash almost a second off his previous best time of 3:48.36s achieved at the Australian Championships in April last year. Hoe Yean also became only the second Malaysian swimmer (Jeffrey Ong won the men's 1,500m freestyle silver in 1991 in England) to stand on the podium in Universiade history. Nikolai Kolesnikov, swimming under the Individual Neutral Athletes banner, took gold in 3:46.66s and American Ryan James Erisman Jr claimed the bronze in 3:47.52s. Hoe Yean will swim in the men's 200m freestyle today.
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Hoe Yean smashes national record to win silver at World University Games
Swimmer Khiew Hoe Yean standing the podium after winning silver (left) for Malaysia at the World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. 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.
