Hoe Yean's Silver Sparks Hope For More WUG 2025 Medals
ESSEN (Germany), July 18 (Bernama) -- National swimming ace Khiew Hoe Yean's impressive feat is hoped to spark more success for the Malaysian contingent at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 World University Games (WUG) here.
Malaysia's chef de mission (CDM) to WUG 2025, Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Hafiz Yusoff, said Hoe Yean's silver medal in the men's 400-metre freestyle event yesterday not only ended a 34-year wait, but was also sweetened by a new national record.
bootstrap slideshow
With Hoe Yean's achievement, Mohd Hafiz believed the national contingent was on the right track to achieving its target of seven medals regardless of colour.
'We expect that Hoe Yean's achievement will generate momentum for more medal-winning performances in upcoming events.
'I believe the Malaysian contingent is now on the best path to achieving the targeted medals. We hope all athletes will deliver their best to achieve personal bests and, secondly, reach the podium,' he told reporters here.
Yesterday (early morning Malaysian time), Hoe Yean made history by clinching the silver medal in a thrilling final at the Schwimm-und Sprunghalle im Europasportpark in Berlin, marking Malaysia's first medal of the current edition.
In that race, Hoe Yean also erased his own national record of 3 minutes 48.36 seconds by clocking 3:47.38s.
The success ended Malaysia's 34-year medal drought in swimming at WUG, last achieved by Jeffrey Ong, who won silver in the men's 1,500m freestyle at the 1991 edition in Sheffield.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Jun Hao upset with himself for not taking the chance against Kunlavut
PETALING JAYA: Things could have turned out differently for men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao (pic) had he capitalised on his advantage in the opening game against world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn at the China Open yesterday. While Kunlavut and Jun Hao are worlds apart in the current rankings, the Malaysian had the upper hand in their junior days, having beaten the Thai several times. However, their latest encounter at Changzhou Olympics Sport Centres told a different story, as Jun Hao failed to make the most of his chance despite staging a fightback to take the lead, only to let it slip away. The Malaysian admitted he was frustrated after his efforts to close out the first game fell short. That missed opportunity affected his focus, and Kunlavut quickly turned things around to take the opener 23-21. A poor tactical decision also played a part in the defeat, as Jun Hao admitted that his attacks lost intensity even while he was leading Kunlavut. 'At first I was trailing, then I tried to be more aggressive to get more points. I managed to lead 19-17, but I couldn't finish the game. From there, it probably affected my mindset a little. 'I didn't really take my chances when I was leading 19-17. Even then, I felt I was playing more defensively,' said Jun Hao in a post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF). Things got worse in the second game as Jun Hao struggled to keep up, allowing Kunlavut to pull away and seal a 21-7 win to book his place in the quarter-finals. Even so, Jun Hao felt his performance wasn't as bad as it seemed, as he was still able to put up a fight against Kunlavut. 'In the second game, I was on the less favourable side of the court, so I just tried to do my best. Overall, I don't think my performance was that bad,' said Jun Hao.. This was Jun Hao's third straight defeat to Kunlavut, following earlier losses at the Thailand Open last year and the Singapore Open in May. The world No. 26 will not be taking part in the Macau Open next week and will instead use the time to focus on his preparations for the World Championships in Paris starting on Aug 25.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Powerlifter Eshwar shows he's built differently with record-breaking feat
Power on: Eshwar Evan Dmitry Klokol showing his supremacy during the National Powerlifting Championship in May. Below: Eshwar with his father Dmytro. — Eshwar Klokol PETALING JAYA: Eshwar Evan Dmitry Klokol is only 17 but he is already rewriting the script in Malaysian powerlifting. The teenage sensation had shattered three national records in the under-93kg men's sub junior weight class at the National Championship in May, setting new marks in the squat (230kg), deadlift (260kg), and total (625kg). He had also lifted a 135kg in the bench press but it was not a record.
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Sarikei to showcase new iconic bridge during August running event
Len Talif (centre) announcing the upcoming Sarikei Tuanku Haji Bujang Bridge Half Marathon. — Bernama THE Sarikei district in Sarawak is set to attract running enthusiasts with the upcoming Sarikei Tuanku Haji Bujang Bridge Half Marathon 2025. The run is scheduled to take place on Aug 24 at the grounds of Dewan Suarah. Sarawak Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Deputy Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the event also aimed to promote the Tun Datuk Patinggi Tuanku Haji Bujang Bridge as a new tourism icon and a symbol of the district's infrastructure development. 'Through this event, both locals and visitors will not only be able to appreciate the beauty of the surrounding areas but also help foster a spirit of sportsmanship and unity. 'This event also symbolises the unification of communities through sports, while serving as a platform to showcase new infrastructure that will transform Sarikei's landscape and position it as a high-potential sports tourism destination,' he told Bernama. Len Talif, who is also Kuala Rajang assemblyman, said the run would be open to all, with a target of 1,000 participants in the 21km, 10km and 5km categories.
