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NEWS & EVENTS
Brunei struggling to make splash
Sunday, June 9, 2013

Brunei have yet to secure a medal at the 37th Southeast Asian Age Group Swimming Championships.

However, they set another new Open record and two Age Group records in the second day of the competition yesterday at the Aquatics Centre of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

Christian Nikles completed the Group 1 (16-18 years) boys' 50-metre Butterfly with a time of 27.03 second.

He broke his previous time of 27.27s set in June last year. The old Age Group record, which was also held by Nikles, was at 27.51s from April this year.

It was his second national Open record after clocking 25.15s in the boys' Group 1 50m freestyle event on Friday.

Ashley Chai, who is coached by Victor Tan of Royal Brunei Recreation Club (RBRC), gained a new Age Group record in girls' Group 3 (Under-13) 200m backstroke event after finishing with a time of 2:43.44.

It bettered the old record of 2:45.31 by Felicia Lee set back in May 2006.

The other new Open national record was from the boys' 4 X 100m Freestyle Relay (18 and Under) after they swam with a time of 3:58.24.

The old time was 4:26.38 set by ISB swimming team in February earlier this year.

National swim coach, Eric Landa, was satisfied with his swimmers despite not being to secure a medal after two days.

"The competition is proving to be of a very high quality. Many SEA AG records have been broken in this meet and the battle for medals is on," said Landa.

"Unfortunately we have not won any medals yet. We didn't have a medal in 2011 (in Vietnam) but in 2013 (in Indonesia) Christian won a shared bronze in the 50m freestyle.

"All of our swimmers are breaking their personal best times and we are looking at seven national records being broken so far. The expectations are being met and I'm content with that with one more day to go. We'll see what tomorrow (Sunday) brings," he added.

The tournament was also brought to a standstill for 45 minutes after thundershowers hit the venue in the afternoon.

"Unfortunately we cannot control the elements so an unwanted delay took place. We don't have a covered pool in Brunei," said the Dutchman.

Meanwhile, Nur Hamizah Ahmad also managed a new Open record and Age Group records in the girls' Group 1 100m backstroke after finishing with a time of 1:12.60.

It shaved off just a little off her old time of 1:12.65 from November last year.

Other than the hosts, the other participating countries are Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Courtesy from Brunei Times