Selangor reclaims SUKMA overall title fueled by dominant swimming performance

Selangor reclaimed the overall championship title at the Malaysian Games (SUKMA), largely driven by the dominant performance of its swimming squad, which secured 20 gold medals. The team's success in the pool was a key factor in their return to the top of the medal standings.

Swimmer Eliza Ai Shen Tan emerged as a star performer, amassing an impressive seven gold medals throughout the competition. She not only won all her individual events with personal best times but also shattered two Games records. Tan set a new benchmark in the 50m freestyle with a time of 26.44 seconds, breaking a 16-year-old record. She also played a crucial role in the women's 4x100m medley relay, helping her team achieve a new Games record of 4 minutes 18.87 seconds.

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I am very, very happy with my performance at my first SUKMA because I won all my individual events with personal best times, and I will continue to train hard to improve my times.

The 19-year-old Tan's exceptional performance has put her in contention for the SUKMA Sportswoman award and has boosted her chances of making the national squad for the upcoming SEA Games. She has reportedly discussed her aspirations with national head coach Michael Kinross.

Selangor's head swimming coach, Marilyn Chua, highlighted the significant support from the state government and the Negeri Sembilan Sports Council as vital to the team's success. She emphasized the blend of senior and junior swimmers and the strong sense of unity within the team, which allowed them to contribute significantly to Selangor's overall victory. Chua expressed gratitude for the support, stating the team's commitment to delivering their best.

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We are honored to be able to contribute to Selangor's medal tally because we received a lot of support from the state government and the state sports council, so we always try to give our best.