Records made at SEA Age Croup Swimming C'ships

DENPASAR (JP): Two records were created by Singaporean swimmers on the final day of the 24th Age Group Swimming Championships at the Bali Cliff Hotel swimming pool Sunday.

Chay Mark clocked 52.62 seconds in the boys 15-17 years group in the 100 meters freestyle, bettering his own record of 52.64 in last year's championships in Singapore.

Teammate Teo Nicolette produced 2:39.53 in the girls 13-14 group 200m breaststroke, besting Rebecca Heng's record of 2:40.01 made last year.

Overall, Thailand clinched its domination by bringing home 41 golds, 19 silvers and 17 bronzes.

Singapore followed in second place with 14 golds, 20 silvers and 21 bronzes followed by the Philippines with 12 golds, 10 silvers and 11 bronzes.

Host Indonesia failed to fulfill the ambition of the Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) of taking 10 golds, managing only to earn nine golds, 23 silvers and 25 bronzes to remain at fourth place.

Vietnam was fifth with four silvers and two bronzes while Brunei Darussalam remained medalless.

Indonesia must thank Mohammad Akbar Nasution, Renate Lumbantoruan and Shelomita for their performances in the event.

Akbar earned his gold in the boys 15-17 200m breaststroke in 2:26.43, which was below his personal best of 2:26.31.

Renate, a new starlet in the event, took the gold in the girls 12-and-under 200m breaststroke clocking 2:47.07, which was an improvement over her best time of 2:47.77.

Shelomita grabbed the gold in the girls 13-14 200m butterfly in 2:25.56, which was better than her previous time of 2:27.00.

Team manager Richard Sam Bera said that he was satisfied with his swimmers performances despite their failure to fulfill the projected target.

"They have performed well despite their lack of experience. We'll train them harder. Our focus now is on the National Games (PON) in Surabaya and the Sydney Olympics," he said.

Coach Radja Nasution blamed a lack of training on the poor performances of his athletes.

"They could have done better if they trained more. I consider this event as a warm-up for them. We'll select those who can qualify for PON and the Olympics," he said.

The championships were officially closed by PRSI chairman Rahardi Ramelan.

Six ASEAN countries -- Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia -- competed here with the absence of Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

The organizers have yet to decide the date and venue of next year's 25th SEA Age Group Championships.

- By Lukman Natanagara -