The 2019 Singapore National Championships wrapped up this evening with a true grand finale, as some of the nation’s best athletes proved resilient after a grueling four days of competition. The swimmers only only heightened their level of competition throughout the week, saving some of the best swims for last in a remarkable national battle. Hoping to force its names on the international scene, Singapore showcased its marquee athletes in its largest meet of the year, offering up a handful of competitive swims.
Swimming World’s Singapore Nationals Meet Page
Women’s 200 IM
As if she hadn’t monopolized the women’s side of competition all meet, Christie May Chue struck again in the 200 IM, going 2:19.58 to out-touch Ressa Kania Dewi (2:19.69). Ashley Lim was at her hip, crashing the pads with a time of 2:20.70 ahead of Eing Pawapotako (2:21.17).
Gabrielle Jia Yun Wei (2:25.25) stole a spot in the top five to bump Sydney Chun (2:27.63) to sixth, as Alicia Li Ann Soosai (2:27.98) edged out Julia Lium (2:27.98). Faith Elizabeth Khoo (2:29.31) and Li Tong Madeline Lye (2:29.56) rounded out the heat.
Men’s 200 IM
Sheng Jun Pang (2:03.32) stole the show on the men’s side, bettering Darren Chua’s (2:04.43) mark by over a second. Jordan Yip seized the bronze with a time of 2:06.70, taking down Sebastian Soon (2:08.78) and Erasmus Ang (2:08.92).
Bradley Tan (2:09.87) gained a decent advantage over Tasi Limtiaco (2:10.92) to cinch sixth; while Owen Ngan (2:13.11), Hayden Lin (2:14.53), Christian Low (2:15.31) took eighth, ninth, and tenth, respectively.
Women’s 50 Free
Ting Wen Quah reset the meet record with her stellar performance in the women’s 50 free, crashing the pads with a time of 25.26. Amanda Lim was her runner-up, clocking in at 25.46 to beat Cherlyn Yeoh (25.81). Joy Srisa-Ard (26.05) and Jasmine Alkhaldi (26.05) turned in identical swims for fourth, taking down Marina Chan (26.37). Kornkarnjana Sapianchai (26.47) surged down the lane for a seventh place finish, sending Angelique Yip (27.17) to eighth. Zi Yi Chan and Jamie Yazhen Koo brought up the rear with times of 27.20 and 27.31, respectively.
Men’s 50 Free
Jonathan Tan (22.55) struck once again in the men’s 50 free, gaining a healthy advantage over Motohide Mori (22.72). Virdhawal Khade put forth a 22.88 lap worthy of third, beating Tzen Wei Teong (22.94) and Jun Jie Mikkel Lee (22.98) by a narrow margin. Neel Roy (23.31) furthered his already impressive individual schedule with a sixth place finish; while Mitchell Ang (24.19) and Gabriel Foo (24.40) went stroke for stroke for seventh. Alard Schroeder (24.59) and Samuel Tang (24.66) filled out the rest of the top ten.
Women’s 200 Fly
Patarawadee Kittiya left the rest of the pack in the women’s 200 fly, dropping a 2:16.30 for the win. Nicholle Toh Fann Rui touched in over a second later, throwing up a 2:17.42 for second ahead of Ruby Cristol (2:18.56). Geunhui Lee (2:19.97) and Sydney Chun (2:20.37) battled for a spot in the top four, while Angelique Yip continued an impressive individual schedule with a 2:21.43. Chloe Daos (2:22.61) stayed at her hip, pulling ahead of Paloma Canos Cervera (2:30.53) and Sydney Londergan (2:35.47). Stephanie Chun fell in the rankings to tenth, posting a time of 2:38.19.
Men’s 200 Fly
Sajan Prakash held off Wine Wongcharoen (1:59.80) for the title, as Der Tiaa (2:00.77) sought an upset. Yi Ong (2:00.85) turned in a performance worthy of fourth, as Ephraim Tan stroked in to a 2:02.74 finish.
Joshua Yeo (2:08.88) put forth an impressive performance of his own, beating Yingxuan Koo (2:09.79) by a wide margin. Randall Neo threw down a 2:11.63 for eighth, as Allstair Roberts (2:14.00) and Daniel Looi (2:15.93) rounded out a packed heat.
Women’s 800 Free
Ammiga Himathongkom finished up her individual schedule with an epic showing in the 800 free, whipping out an 8:54.57 to claim a decisive win. Adinda Larasati went 9:10.09 for second, surging ahead of Chantal Liew (9:14.73). Elizabeth Jiho Won conceded the bronze with a 9:22.47, but managed to put distance between herself and Rosalind Pang (9:27.62). Tiana Rabarijaona headed the next wave, crashing the pads with a 9:30.58 to beat out Madeline Lye (9:35.42). Ervina Lim turned in a 9:37.73 for eighth, proceeded by Bonnie Yeo (9:39.04) and Genevieve Lye (9:39.93).
Men’s 1500 Free
Advait Page (15:29.54) defended his honor as the marquee miler of the country, surging down the center of the lane and leaving the rest of the pack behind. Aryan Nehra gave him the best run, churning out a 15:40.89 to beat Glen Lim (15:45.72). Luke Tan fell outside the top three with a time of 16:04.70 before Ardi Azman crashed the pads with a 16:22.47. Ritchie Oh topped off an impressive individual schedule with a time of 16:29.57, as Nanda Wahyu tried to come up from behind with a 16:29.85. Jack Cassin headed the final wave, ending with a 16:42.23 to beat Michael Adeney (16:48.57). Zheng Lew rounded out the individual events with a time of 16:50.51.
Women’s 400 Medley Relay
Swimfast Aquatic club lived up to its name in the women’s 400 medley, churning out a 4:23.66 for a decisive victory over Chinese Swiming Club (4:26.64). Uwcsea-East secured the bronze with a 4:28.16 of their own to end the women’s schedule.
Men’s 400 Medley Relay
Aquatech dethroned Swimfast Aquatic Club (3:54.49) with a record-breaking swim of 3:46.42 in the men’s medley relay. Swimfast showcased their depth, as their B relay secured the bronze by a narrow margin, clocking in at 3:59.95.
Quah Ting Wen was late for her event. If you see the “!” next to her time, it was because she was only given a warning this time. Originally, she was DNSed, but somehow or other, the technical officials allowed her to swim even though she was late, and because of this kindness, she was allowed to get a gold medal. What infuriates me is that she did not even mention that she was late in any of the reports or interviews that she received after that medal, nor did she thank the technical officials for allowing her to swim the race.As an experienced national swimmer, she just set a terrible example for her juniors, with an remorseful and an ungrateful attitude. The gold medal could have belonged to Amanda Lim, but by the grace of the technical officials, it was allowed to be hers. She is not the only Singapore national swimmer who made a close shave, as a volunteer during this event, I saw many other national swimmers, including Joseph Schooling, who were almost late or did not even turn up at their events. If our national swimmers are already like this at our local meets, what will happen to them who represent Singapore at other foreign meets? Surely they cannot expect the technical officials there to be as forgiving and as kind as our local officials. I hope the Singapore Swimming Association takes this incident seriously as not to let our national swimmers tarnish the name of Singapore, and I hope SSA will enforce a change in behavior and attitude of their charges. Just because you are a fast swimmer, does not mean that you can step on other people and receive special treatment.Hopefully, Quah Ting Wen admits her mistake soon and apologises, or just changes the way she approaches these sort of issues in future, by accepting that she is in the wrong, she is late and that she is not allowed to swim. If no changes seemed to be made by even one of the most senior members of the national team, we can only imagine the attitude and behavior of the new generation of national swimmers and what they are being taught by their seniors.