17-05-2025
Olympian Welson eyes Sea Games return after missing Cambodia edition
KUALA LUMPUR: Olympian Welson Sim has set his sights on returning to the national swimming team for this year's Thailand Sea Games, after missing the 2023 edition in Phnom Penh.
The 28-year-old hopes a strong showing at the SportExcel Championships in Bukit Jalil in August will pave the way for his comeback.
Welson, who left the national team in Bukit Jalil in 2022 to train independently, has competed in every Sea Games since 2013, except the 2023 edition.
He is a three-time Sea Games gold medallist, but concedes that his best chance of making the Sea Games team are in the relay events rather than individual disciplines.
"Right now, it's training as usual, but the focus is very clear. The Sea Games are the main target for the entire swimming team. For me, the goal is to qualify and represent Malaysia," said Welson, who won the 200m and 400m freestyle golds at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games.
"We already have Khiew Hoe Yean qualified for the 100m and 200m freestyle, so if we want to swim these individual events too, we must be among the top two in Malaysia.
"For the relay team, we need to be in the top four to make the cut."
At the Cambodia Games, the Malaysian quartet of Lim Yin Chuen, Arvin Chahal, Hoe Yean and Terence Ng claimed silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay.
Arvin, Steve, Tan Khai Xin and Yin Chuen also took bronze in the 4x200m freestyle.
Welson believes Malaysia remain strong contenders in the relay events despite fierce competition.
"Singapore have always been a very strong team in the relay events, and Vietnam are also not to be underestimated. But Malaysia have consistently been strong contenders at the Sea Games," he added.
