KOTA KINABALU: The State swimming team returned with four gold and two silver medals at the 59th Milo/MAS Malaysia Invitational Age Group Swimming Championships 2024 held at the National Aquatic Center in Bukit Jalil recently.
Emmanuel Loh Yung Ming competing in the boys’ 14-15 age group captured three gold medals in the 100m and 50m breastroke with a new meet record, 100m freestyle in addition to a silver in the 50m freestyle.
The other gold came from Chu Xin Ying in the girls’ open 1,500m freestyle and she was also awarded the most valuable swimmer in the girls’ open group, while the second silver was delivered by Dayang Sari Abdullah in the girls’ under-11 100m freestyle.
Emmanuel also qualified for the 46th South East Asia Age Group competition to be held in Bangkok in December.
Laura Lee Yen Nie, Tanner Joibi, Samuel Ng Chong Ching and Jayden Jimmy Fabian also made the cut under Category B.
Sabah Aquatic Sports Association (Sasa) President Danile Lee congratulated the qualifiers and the medal winners. He hailed their achievement despite the presence of swimmers from Hong Kong, Indonesia, India and Thailand.
He also praised all those involved in their efforts to prepare the team comprising 53 swimmers.
“Sending a team of 53 swimmers to Bukit Jalil is no easy feat and requires much planning and coordination,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the association’s effort to expand the State’s pool of athletes with new talents, he hopes more parents are aware of the benefits and opportunities of taking up swimming and diving sports as part of their children’s development through the association’s affiliated clubs and coaches.
He called on those who need more information to visit and contact Sasa at their Facebook page, Sabah Aquatic Sports Association, or their Instagram page, sasaxprasabah.
