Albert's saving grace brings gold in the pool<\/p>\n
By Ivy Susanti<\/p>\n
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Albert Christiadi Sutanto saved face
\nfor Indonesia's swimming team in the Southeast Asian Games on
\nFriday, striking gold in the 200 meters butterfly in a record-
\nsetting time.<\/p>\n
On the last day of the swimming competition, Albert clocked
\ntwo minutes and 2.06 seconds to beat the region's stalwarts
\nMalaysian Alex Lim Keng-liat and Ratapong Sirisanont of Thailand.
\nIt was his second individual gold medal at this year's Games
\nafter his victory in the 100m butterfly on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Albert, Alex and Ratapong finished inside the old mark of
\n2:02.90, which was set by Lim. He was second in 2:02.35 and
\nRatapong touched the wall in 2:02.71.<\/p>\n
Albert's time was under the 2:05:00 qualifying time for the
\n2000 Olympic Games.<\/p>\n
The victory added some respectability to Indonesia's medal
\ntally in the pool of six golds, four silvers and 12 bronzes.
\nThailand reigned supreme with 13 golds, 11 silvers and seven
\nbronzes, followed by Malaysia with 11 golds, nine silvers and
\nfive bronzes. Singapore was third with seven golds, 10 silvers
\nand 10 bronzes.<\/p>\n
A satisfied Albert expressed said the win silenced any doubts
\nabout his ability. The Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI)
\nfocused on veteran Richard Sam Bera to win gold medals for the
\nnational team.<\/p>\n
\"I was confident I could win today's event after Tuesday's
\nvictory. I left Lim far behind on the first lap but in the last
\nlap I was getting tired. I kept moving while I was praying for
\nGod's help,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Albert said the Games would be memorable for him because it
\nwas the first he won golds in the individual event since 1991.<\/p>\n
\"I promise to come back in the next SEA Games,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Thailand's young hope Pilin Tachakittiranan crowned herself
\nthe new Games queen of the pool despite winning only two silvers
\nin the women's 50m freestyle and 200m butterfly on Friday.<\/p>\n
Longtime Games winner Joscelin Yeo of Singapore, who cited
\ninjury in withdrawing from two races on Wednesday, won the 50m
\nfreestyle gold in a new meet record of 26.23 seconds to beat her
\nown old mark and Pilin (27.01). Moe Thu Aung was third in 27.41.<\/p>\n
Yeo completed a double of golds on the night with victory in
\nthe 400m individual medley, clocking a record-breaking time of
\n4:51.87. She smashed the old record of 4:53.30 set by Thai Ravee
\nIntporn-Udom.<\/p>\n
Malaysian Sia Wai Yen was second in 4:52.52 while Thailand's
\nDuangruthai Thanmmaphanya was third in 5:04.70.<\/p>\n
Singapore's golden girl now has six SEA Games records under
\nher belt, in addition to her six gold medals.<\/p>\n
In the 200m butterfly, Tachakittiranan clocked 2:17.01 behind
\ncompatriot Praphalsai Minpraphal who finished first in a time of
\n2:14.54. Minpraphal broke the old SEA Games record of 2:15.17 set
\nby Indonesian Catherine Surya, who is absent from the Games.<\/p>\n
\"I'm very proud of getting six golds and three silvers in this
\nSEA Games, and also setting new records in the 400m and 800m
\nfreestyle events. It beats the target of four golds set by the
\nThai swimming association. I thank my mother for her
\nencouragement,\" 16-year-old Pilin said.<\/p>\n
She said Yeo could be a tough rival for her in future. \"She's
\ngood and is a talented swimmer. I think she might be my archrival
\nin the next SEA Games.\"<\/p>",
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