2019 Singapore Neo Garden National Championships: Welson Sim Edges Out Glen Lim for Gold
The 2019 Singapore National Championships wrapped up its penultimate day of competition with a slew of notable swims, its athletes showing no signs of fatigue. With a few noteworthy names continuously reappearing and monopolizing the A-finals, it’s clear that this country is strong at the top, where it could pose a threat in international competition.
Swimming World’s Singapore Nationals Meet Page
Men’s 400 Free
Malaysian swimmer Welson Sim (3:55.51) claimed the men’s 400 free, but it didn’t come easily. Trading leads with Glen Lim (3:55.67) throughout, Sim almost conceded the win in the final lap, but was able to fend off his opponent at the finish. Kushagra Rawat headed the second wave, surging home to a 3:57.09 finish for third, as Omas Abass (3:59.68) touched in at fourth.
Luke Tan forced his name on the scene once again with a top five finish, posting a 4:03.54 to take down Erasmus Ang (4:07.13) for sixth. Ang had a challenge of his own in Joshua Yeo, who crashed the pads with a 4:07.26 ahead of Ritchie Oh (4:11.61). Owen Ngan furthered an already impressive individual schedule with his 4:14.01, claiming ninth ahead of Michael Adeney (4:14.75)
Women’s 400 Free
Natthanan Junkrajang was relentless on the women’s side, surging ahead of Ashley Lim (4:20.91) to claim the national title with a time of 4:19.57. Ammiga Himathongkom kept pace with the center lanes, stroking in to a 4:22.14 and bronze medal; while Adinda Larasati (4:33.66) set the race for fourth. Chantal Liew burst into the top five with a 4:36.13, while Madeline Lye just eclipsed the honor with a 4:36.37. Charmaine Lee out-touched Chevonne Lee (4:41.89) by less than a tenth for seventh, as Shannessa Chang (4:42.61) and Rachael Tay (4:44.92) rounded out the top ten.
Men’s 100 Fly
Sajan Prakash (53.73) and Yi Ong (53.83) went stroke for stroke at the finish, with Prakash emerging as the victor. Jie Chan was not to be ignored, as he clocked in at 53.83 to seize the bronze over Jonathan Tan (54.12).
Mihir Ambre (54.16) barely conceded fourth, as he broke away from the outer lanes in the final lap to nab fifth. The race was on for sixth, as Max Silver and Ephraim Tan crashed the pads with times of 56.66 and 56.86, respectively. Randall Neo (57.03), Ardi Azman (57.54), and Bradley Tan (58.23) filled out the rest of the nation’s top ten.
Women’s 100 Fly
Geunhui Lee proved that age is but a number, as the thirteen-year-old took down some of the country’s most seasoned veterans with her 1:00.71 100 fly. Nicholle Toh was her runner-up, touching in just six hundredths later with a 1:00.77 to make a teen top two. Supasuta Sounthornchote (1:01.63) came up from behind to beat Jamie Yazhen Koo for a spot on the podium; while Jasmine Alkhaldi (1:01.96) and Marina Chan (1:02.48) battled for top five honors.
Ruby Cristol (1:02.86) and Paloma Canos Cervera (1:03.17) put forth solid showings of their own, as Sydney Chun and Natalie Ho topped off the heat with times of 1:03.26 and 1:04.00, respectively.
Men’s 50 Breast
Lionel Khoo tallied another national title with his performance in the 50 fly, dropping a 28.21 to come within striking distance of his meet record from this morning. Muhammad Fahri (28.80) secured the silver ahead of Gagarin Nathaniel (28.83), who touched in just ahead of Maximillian Ang (29.09).
Darrin Lam managed to break into the top five with a time of 29.10, as Darren Chua (29.59) chased him. Nicholas Cheong (29.79) and Tasi Limtiaco (29.80) swam nearly identical races, with Cheong gaining the slight advantage at the finish. Gabriel Foo and Perry Chua brought up the rear with times of 29.87 and 31.00, respectively.
Women’s 50 Breast
Christie May Chue re-established her dominance in the women’s 50 breast, throwing up a 32.22 to edge out Joy Srisa-Ard (32.47). The two left the field, as Alicia Li Ann Soosai’s 33.44 was good enough for third, while Angelique Yip rounded out the top four with a time of 33.65.
Lauren Chew forced her name on the scene with a top-five finish, clocking in at 34.16 ahead of Chern Xin Liew (34.34). Nurita Monica Sari finished seventh with a time of 34.83, as Julia Lium (35.33) and Charity Lien (35.42) touched in with less than a tenth between them. Millie Loughnan rounded out the heat with a time of (35.63).
Men’s 200 Back
Advait Page did it once again, showcasing his talents in the men’s 200 back while posting a 2:04.48 for the win. Jian Han Tern chased him to the finish, posting a 2:05.19 to earn second over Hoe Yean Khiew (2:07.75). WeiYang Malcolm Low forced his name on the scene with a 2:08.54, as he put distance between himself and Jake Harris (2:12.29).
Jeremy Kemp and Gabriel Low partook in a climactic stroke race to the finish, dropping times of 2:12.82 and 2:12.91, respectively. Christian Low (2:14.69) slashed his time from prelims, taking down Zachary Tan (2:17.63) and Alan Lo (2:19.74) in the process.
Women’s 200 Back
Haerin Lee made her presence known in the women’s 200 back, clocking in over a second earlier than the rest of her opponents with a 2:18.70. Nurul Fajar was at her hip, dropping a 2:19.72 to gain a healthy advantage over Faith Elizabeth Khoo (2:21.67).
Katie Henderson made a strong push at the finish to fend off Maana Patel (2:24.80), turning in a 2:23.04 for fourth. Chantal Liew made another impressive appearance, boasting a 2:26.07 for sixth despite her loaded individual schedule. Charla Tan cinched seventh with a time of 2:27.35, lowering her time from prelims to edge out Bonnie Yeo (2:28.99) and Scarlett Nichol (2:30.03) in the outer lanes.
Men’s 800 Free Relay
Aquatech Swimming came out on top in the men’s 800 free relay, boasting impressive splits across the board. With a time of 7:58.35, they were the only team under 8:00, with Swimfast Aquatic Club ciniching second with a time of 8:06.79. Aquatic Performance Swim Club followed close behind, edging out Kuala Lumpur (8:09.16) with a bronze-worthy 8:08.00.
Women’s 800 Free Relay
Hong Kong Island Stingrays earned top honors on the women’s side, putting up an 8:47.27 for the championship. They went largely uncontested, as Aquatic Performance Club touched in over seven seconds later with a time of 8:54.39. Swimfast Aquatic Club showcased their versatility with another top three performance, clocking in at 8:56.69 for the bronze.