KUALA LUMPUR: National coach Eric Anderson believes that short course competitions will enhance the skill set of swimmers in Malaysia.
Short course races cover 25 meters, unlike the traditional 50-meter events.
According to Anderson, swimmers tend to focus intensely on improving their technique and skills when competing in short course events.
These nuances can significantly enhance a swimmer's abilities and translate well into long-course swimming.
"The addition of short course nationals to our program aims to provide a different stimulus for athletes," said Anderson during the recent National Short Course Championships in Bukit Jalil. "Swimmers concentrate on starts, turns, and strokes during short course events, which are crucial elements for excelling in long course swimming, which could provide the extra push during the Thailand Sea Games next year.
"Competing in short course format places a secondary emphasis on refining various aspects of swimming, with the aim of integrating them into long-course races."
Overall, Anderson was satisfied with the swimmers' performance during the four-day meet.
The swimmers are scheduled to participate in World Cup events in China, South Korea, and Singapore, all taking place in October.
There are tentative plans to send some swimmers to the World Short Course Championships in Budapest in December.