KUALA LUMPUR: Former state swimmer Diana Qistina Redza had a dream debut in open water swimming as she clinched the women's Olympic distance title at the Kuala Langat Aquathlon in Tanjung Sepat on Sunday.
Competing in her first aquathlon, Diana topped the 1.5km swim and 10km run event, clocking 1:18.44 in the 30-39 age category.
Lee Sing Chee, from the 18-29 age bracket, finished second with a time of 1:39.42, while Siti Hanisah Linggi, also in the 30-39 category, took third in 1:48.45.
Diana entered the competition purely to assess her fitness.
"This was my first time doing open water swimming. I did simulation training many years ago, but it's very different. The sea is much saltier compared to pool swimming," said Diana, who works in the finance sector.
"I used to swim for my state when I was a student, but that was ages ago. I'm more focused on running now and hope to complete a full marathon one day. Winning this was completely unexpected," she added.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Yap Qi Yi successfully defended his men's Olympic distance title.
The Klang-born athlete dominated the field, crossing the finish line in 1:00.18, narrowly finishing ahead of Khairil Azhar (1:00.53) and Harith Aiman Adha (1:03.37), both of whom competed in the 18-29 category.
"I'm thrilled to retain my title, though it was tougher than expected as I had to sprint to the finish," said Qi Yi.
"I only started running two years ago, and the running section was quite challenging. Now, I know where I stand and aim to qualify for the Sea Games in Thailand next year."
RESULTS
Men's Olympic distance: 1. Yap Qi Yi 1:00s.18, 2. Khairil Azhar 1:00.53, 3. Harith Aiman Adha 1:03.37, 4. Timotius Justin 1:05.56, 5. Indra Abunawas 1:09.14;
Sprint distance: 1. Nicholas Buckley 41:51, 2. Gary John Slade 44:30, 3. Lee Weng Khong 44:33, 4. Richard Harries 45:14, Lee Chee Hong 47:23.
Women's Olympic distance: 1. Diana Qistina Redza 1:18.44, 2. Lee Sing Chee 1:39.42, 3. Siti Hanisah Linggi 1:48.45, 4. Grace Chung 1:50.34, 5. Mun Pui Yei 1:57.05;
Sprint distance: 1. Darin Athira Azzath 43:01, 2. Carmen See Thoo 51:32, 3. Lim Lumae 59:56, 4. Gan Han Xi 1:04.18, 5. Sarra Adelya Balqis 1:07.07.