KUCHING: Four years ago, Russell Liaw Yi Han was learning to kick with a board, while Roman Aryan Raphael was still mastering how to float after being recruited through a primary school programme.
Last weekend, the two pair became among Swim Art Club’s (SAC) standout performers, helping the club secure 24 gold, 14 silver and 19 bronze medals at the MAS/MILO All-Stars Swimming Circuit 2026.
Organised by Malaysia Aquatics, the competition was held from July 11 to 12 simultaneously across the Central, Northern and East Malaysia regions.
The East Malaysia leg was hosted by the Amateur Swimming Association of Sarawak (ASAS) at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, where SAC fielded 30 swimmers.
Russell, competing in Group 3 (aged 12 to 13), led SAC’s medal tally with nine gold and two silver medals.
He won gold in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke, 100m and 200m freestyle, 100m and 200m backstroke, 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley, while taking silver in the 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke.
Roman, competing in Group 2 (aged 14 to 15), contributed three gold, two silver and four bronze medals.
He secured gold in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, silver in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, and bronze in the 50m butterfly, 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley.
Other medal winners included Group 1 (16 to 18) swimmers, Ayden Maximilian Lim Wei, who claimed four gold and two silver medals, and Ayden Wong, who won two gold and one silver.
In Group 2, Max Chew collected five gold, three silver and one bronze, while Bong Yi Xiang added one gold, three silver and one bronze. Jaden Tan Yu Hao contributed one silver and one bronze.
Group 3 swimmers, Haley Lau, Ashton Phang and Angel Joan Liew, each won a bronze medal, while Group 4 (11 and under) swimmer, Tay Jen Yii, collected seven bronze medals.
Head coach, Gary Lau, told Sarawak Tribune recently that the results reflected the progress made by the swimmers since their early days in the sport.
“When Russell first joined us in 2021, he was learning the basic kicking drills with a board. Roman came to us in 2022 after we recruited him from SJK Chung Hua No. 5, and at that time he was still learning how to float.
“Looking at where they are today, it has been a rewarding journey for all of us,” he said.
Lau added that Angel had also progressed through SAC’s Stampin Learn-to-Swim Programme, with all three swimmers starting with basic water skills before moving into competitive swimming.
“Not every child joins us with the aim of becoming a competitive swimmer. Some simply want to learn a life skill.
“As they become more confident in the water and enjoy swimming, some choose to take the next step into competition. Our role is to guide and support them throughout that journey,” he said.
Besides competitive programmes, SAC also provides free Learn-to-Swim classes for students with disabilities from primary schools to help them gain confidence in the water and learn essential water safety skills.
“We believe every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim. It is an important life skill, and we want it to be accessible to as many children as possible, including students with disabilities,” Lau said.
He also thanked Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, for his continued support, saying the contribution had enabled SAC to create more opportunities for children to learn swimming.
