Magdalene does country proud with another SEA Open Water C'ship silver

KUALA LUMPUR – Magdalene Lau has become the country’s standout performer at the first SEA Open Water Swimming Championship (SEAOWSC) 2023 after finishing as the top Malaysian yet again.

A joint press release by the Malaysia Swimming Association, Perbadanan Putrajaya, and Hybrid Management Sdn Bhd reported that the 17-year-old, who also finished as the top Malaysian in the 5km category yesterday, bagged her second silver medal of the competition when she finished as runner-up in the 16-17 age-group category.

Magdalene clocked 2h 15m 10.7s to come in behind Thailand’s Natwara Bovornsukseri for an unforgettable debut in open water swimming at the Putrajaya Lake. 

The Sarawakian finished third overall in the women’s category. 

Magdalene’s feat was even more impressive as she made her way from sixth place to third in the final few hundred metres of the race, to become the fastest Malaysian female swimmer earlier today.

“The 10km was more tiring that the 5km. But as I had experienced the water yesterday, I got used to it. 

“I was sixth coming into the final distance of the race, and that was when I decided to use up all my energy until the finish line. I am surprised with how well I did overall,” said the swimmer who idolises swim legend Michael Phelps. 

Chelsea Lee and Ashley Soh were the other two Malaysians who stood on the podium today. 

Ashley finished third in the 16-17 age group category with a time of 2h 25m 6.9s, while Chelsea finished second in the 18-19 age group with a time of 2h 20m 47.1s. 

While Magdalene did Malaysia proudly, the 10km category was dominated by Thailand who posted a top-two finish in both the men’s and women’s categories. 

Tanakrit Kittiya was crowned as the overall male champion after finishing with a time of 1h 56m 59.9s, while Pimpun Choopong clocked 2h 9m 55.4s as the female champion.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh was also in attendance to witness the competitors flag off in the morning. 

The SEAOWSC will conclude with the 4x1.5km team relay event tomorrow. 

The NX113 Aquathlon will also take place on the same day in a sport where contestants transition from swimming to running in a loop around Putrajaya Lake. 

The NX113 Aquathlon categories include the standard (1.5km/10km run), sprint elite (750m swim/5km run), and super sprint (500m swim/2.5km run) categories.

It will also serve as the qualifier for the Cambodia SEA Games in May. – The Vibes, February 3, 2023