KUCHING: Dhuha Zulfikry received great support from the crowd on the opening day of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) swimming competition, despite representing the Federal Territories.
The 16-year-old swimmer did not disappoint the fans at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatics Centre today when he broke Daniel Bego's 16-year-old Sukma record in the 200m freestyle by 1.02 seconds with a time of 1:50.03.
Understandably, he was very proud of his record-breaking achievement.
Dhuha later revealed that he received strong support from the fans because his parents are Sarawakians.
"I have relatives here who came to watch me swim today. My father is from here, and my mother is from Sibu," Dhuha said.
"I feel proud to swim and break a record in Sarawak even though I represent a different state.
"I didn't expect to break the Sukma record as I'm a long-distance swimmer. The 200m event is not my forte," he added.
Other Sukma records also fell on the opening day of swimming.
The Federal Territories' Chong Xin Lin broke the Sukma record in the 50m backstroke with a time of 29.74 seconds, winning gold.
Teammate Lee Wei Wen (30.39s) and Penang's Vivian Tee (30.81) taking silver and bronze.
FT's Jayden Tan won gold in the 400m individual medley, setting a new record with a time of 4:23.97, breaking Tia'a Faang Der's 2018 record of 4:26.94. Jayden also holds the national record at 4:23.24.
RESULTS
Men's 50m backstroke: 1 Jeff Chua (Swk) 27.19s, 2 Teoh Kar Chuan (Sgr) 27.32, 3 David Lee (FT) 27.59;
100m breaststroke: 1 Andrew Goh (Sgr) 1:01.39 (NR), 2 Cham Yu Xiang (FT) 1:04.55, 3 Emmanuel Loh (Sbh) 1:04.98;
200m freestyle: 1 Dhuha Zulfikry (FT) 1:50.03 (MR), 2 Jayden Goh (Sgr) 1:52.55, 3 Henry Goh 1:52.23;
400m IM: 1 Jayden Tan (FT) 4:43.97 (MR), 2 Henry Goh (Sgr) 4:35.57, 3 Jing Ngui (NS) 4:42.53.
Women's 50m backstroke: 1 Chong Xin Lin (FT) 29.74 (MR), 2 Lee Wei Wen (FT) 30.39, 3 Vivian Tee (Pen) 30.81;
100m breaststroke: 1 Alicia Li (Jhr) 1:12.94, 2 Isabelle Chiyi (FT) 1:13.09, 3 Khoo Sue Enn (Sgr) 1:13.28;
200m freestyle: 1 Kelly Teo (Swk) 2:06.87s, 2 Khew Zi Xian (Sgr) 2:07.13, 3 Chereen Ngo (Swk) 2:10.97;1
400m IM: 1 Kelly Teo (Swk) 5:08.15, 2 Yoong Jia Jia (Sgr) 5:12.28. 3 Georgene Wee (FT) 5:15.09.