KUALA LUMPUR: It will be a different ball game for 17-year-old Wong Jun Bin when he competes in open water swimming at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games on Aug 18.
As a swimmer, Jun Bin is used to the cooler temperatures in the pool. But in open water swimming, he is bracing himself for warmer conditions.
The Putrajaya Lake will be the venue for the men and women’s 10km open water race, where Malaysia will be contending for gold.
The lake’s temperature can soar to above 30°C.
Jun Bin has been selected to join Kevin Yeap in the men’s competition.
Heidi Gan, who won the 10km race at the Asian Open Water Swimming Championships at the same venue last month, is bidding to retain the gold she won when the sport was last contested – at the Indonesia SEA Games in 2011.
Jun Bin, in his first competitive swim, finished seventh in the 10km race at the Asian meet and is looking forward to his SEA Games debut.
“I missed the swimming trials because of my school’s examinations earlier, but the coach (Paul Birmingham) asked if I wanted to try for open water swimming.
“I took part in the Asian championships last month. I didn’t have any experience swimming in such a long-distance race, so my aim was just to complete it.
“Being placed in the top eight was a bonus really. Open water race is totally different from swimming in a pool.
“Other than focusing on technique and working hard, you have to be aware of the direction you are swimming and of the competitors around you.
“I struggled a little with a loss sense of direction initially because the water wasn’t as clear as in the pool and I ended swimming sideways. You have to look in front. I hope to improve with more practice.
“There were some swimmers who did not finish the race in the Asian meet. As a newcomer, I have no expectations,” said Jun Bin, who completed his secondary studies at the Singapore Sports School recently.
Before the SEA Games, the Kuala Lumpur-born teenager will be competing in the 400m freestyle at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas from July 18-23.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/swimming/2017/06/14/jun-bin-unfazed-about-switch-to-open-water/#XHkaLYVZS0CPdH52.99
