MEDAL CONTENDER: Welson Sim is looking to do well at Sukma XV in Pahang this July. — Photo by Teo Chi Wei
KUCHING: Sarawak Sukma swimmer Welson Sim Wee Sheng is all set to make a big splash at the swimming competition of the Sukma XV in Pahang from July 7-16.
The up and coming swimming star who studies at SMK Batu Lintang is eyeing to help the
state swimming squad win gold medals in his debut in the Games.
Welson’s confidence is boosted by a good showing in the South-East Asia Age Group Swimming Championship at the Jakavaring Aquatic Stadium early this month where he won a gold and three silver medals in Boys Group 2 (aged 13-14) for Malaysia.
Malaysia finished fourth overall in the meet with 14 golds, 10 silvers and 10 bronzes after champions Thailand who captured 32 golds, 34 silvers and 33 bronzes, followed by Indonesia (31-31-20) and Singapore (16-16-26).
Welson’s gold was won in the 1,500m freestyle where he clocked 16:33.36s while the silvers came from the 400m freestyle (4:06.36s), 200m freestyle (1:55.95s) and 100m freestyle (53.89s).
Welson’s teammate Tang Chong Heng, 14, also bagged two silvers in the Boys 100m breaststroke (1:07.92s) and 50m breaststroke (31.17s).
Welson and Tang were the only two swimmers from Sarawak who represented Malaysia at the SEA swimming meet.
They qualified on the merit of producing excellent results at the National Age Group Swimming Championship at Bukit Jalil in April.
Welson is presently being trained by MSNS Kuching Elite Swimming Centre’s China coach Ren Xiao Shun and coach Jeffrey Ho.
He has also been listed as a potential candidate to join the national swimming squad after the London Olympics.