PHEE Jinq En swam the race of her life to clinch the women’s 50m breaststroke gold by just 0.01 of a second at New Clark City Aquatics Centre yesterday.
What makes her achievement all the more amazing is that she had, earlier in the morning, smashed her own national record by clocking 31.40s in the heats, before equalling it in the final in the evening.
The 22-year-old pipped Thailand’s Srisa Ard Jenjira (31.41s) to the gold while Singapore’s Christie Chue (31.43s) took bronze.
Having won bronze in the previous two editions — Singapore 2015 and KL 2017 — Jinq En finally hit paydirt at the third time of asking.
And what a close call it was.
“Only 0.01s! That’s how close it was,” screeched a jubilant Jinq En, who won gold in the 100m breaststroke in 2015.
“I usually swim slower in the afternoon... because of fatigue. But, after three barren days (for gold) at the pool, I really wanted it badly.”
So, what’s next for the speedster?
“I just finished a wonderful race and am going to rest before I try for the 100m (breaststroke on Sunday). Right now, I am only thinking about celebrating,” she replied.
Meanwhile, Khiew Hoe Yean clocked 2:03.89 to hand Malaysia a bronze in the men’s 200m backstroke. Singapore’s Quah Zheng Wen (2:00.06) took gold while Indonesia’s Tangkas Farrel (2:02.75) bagged silver.
After three days of action in the pool, the only other “success” story for Malaysia is the emergence of Arvin Singh.
He became the first Punjabi Sikh to represent Malaysia in Sea Games swimming and helped deliver a bronze in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay.
Welson Sim, Hoe Yean, Keith Lim and Arvin finished third in 7:27.55s.
And Arvin did not even know that he had created history.
“Really? I’m the first Malaysian Sikh swimmer to represent the country in the Sea Games?
“Wow! I didn’t know I was the first. I’m very proud to represent the country,” said Arvin, who is based in Sydney and whose mother is Thai-Chinese.
Asked what’s next for him, Arvin said: “I want to train harder and qualify for the next Olympics. That’s my aim now.”