Para swimming squad aim for bigger medal haul

The national para swimming squad are determined to improve on their collection of seven gold medals in Singapore two years ago, at the coming 2017 Kuala Lumpur ASEAN Para Games (APG) scheduled for Sept 17 to 23.

Team manager, Loke Chee Heng said despite not having any specific target for the sport which would be contested in 84 events, he was optimistic the national swimmers could rake in at least 10 gold from competing in 54 events.

He said the thorough preparations made since early this year as well as participation in two international championships in the Netherlands and Portugal had brought much benefit to the development of the national para swimmers for the coming biennial meet.

"For this APG, we are not placing any medal target but with the preparations made, we will try our best to deliver more than seven gold medals won in Singapore.

"Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore are our main challengers. But I am confident of the capability of our swimmers, as they are ready to hunt for as many as possible," he told a news conference with the APG swimming squad, here, today.

Meanwhile, national para swimmer Jamery Siga wants to harness his experience in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games as well as several championships in Europe this year to defend the two gold medals he won in the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.

Jamery who is currently undergoing rehabilitation after suffering shoulder and hip injuries, said he was in his peak condition to retain the men's 200m freestyle and 50m butterfly S5 titles.

"My focus is to defend the two gold medals won in Singapore. Overall, I am prepared and ready even though my injuries have not completely healed," he said.

-- BERNAMA