KUCHING: St Joseph’s Private Secondary and Lodge International Primary emerged overall champions at the 10th Samarahan-Kuching Divisions Inter-School Swimming Championship at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre.
The two-day meet from Aug 23 to 24 produced 11 new records with 236 swimmers from 32 schools taking part.
In a statement issued by the organisers, St Joseph’s Private Secondary secured the Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah Challenge Trophy in the secondary schools’ category after collecting 456.5 points. It was their third title, having won previously in 2016 and 2017.
Lodge International Secondary finished second with 204 points, followed by Chung Hua Middle School No 1 with 184.5 points.
In the primary schools’ section, Lodge International Primary topped the standings with 494.5 points.
St Joseph’s Private Primary School came in second with 210 points, while Chung Hua Primary School No 2 was third on 209 points.
St Joseph’s victory was driven by Dylan Leong Yi Quan and Sheamus Chew Heng Yi. Dylan, 16, won three gold medals in the 100m backstroke, 50m backstroke, and 100m butterfly, all in new meet record times. He also helped the school to gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay.
Sheamus, 13, dominated Boys Group B with eight golds, including new records in the 200m individual medley, 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly.
He also collected a relay gold and a bronze in the 50m breaststroke.
In the girls’ division, Chung Hua Middle School No 1’s Chereen Ngo Yi Rui stood out with seven gold medals in Group A. She broke five records in the 200m individual medley, 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 200m freestyle, and 100m breaststroke.
Among primary swimmers, several emerged as top performers. SK Merdang’s Ilyana Arissa bagged eight golds in Girls Group B, while Lodge International Primary’s Larissa Yii Ya Xuan won eight golds and two silvers in Girls Group D.
St Joseph’s Private Primary’s Caitlyn Yeo Xuan claimed nine golds and one silver in Girls Group C, while Lodge International’s Elisha Lee Ern collected seven golds and set one new record in Girls Group B.
Other standouts included Michael Chen Peng Yee of Chung Hua Primary No.4 with five golds and one silver in Boys Group E, Nathaniel Chai He Jun of Chung Hua Primary Batu 4½ with eight golds, one silver and one bronze in Boys Group D, and Russell Liaw Yi Han of Chung Hua Primary No.3 with six golds and four silvers in Boys Group C.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Sarawak Sports Corporation’s acting Sports Development head Dedia Serini, who represented Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Also present were organising chairperson Alice Kwon and meet manager Anthony Kong.
