KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — National swimmer Welson Sim is intensifying his training regime after setting his sights on the upcoming SportExcel Championship in Bukit Jalil this August that is a pivotal event that could determine his place in the Malaysian squad for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.
With the regional multi-sport Games scheduled for December, the Sarawak-born athlete said the national swimming team has yet to finalise its list of athletes, thus the performances in the coming months will be closely evaluated.
“Right now, it is training as usual, but the focus is very clear. The SEA Games are the main target for the entire swimming team. For me personally, the goal is to qualify and represent Malaysia.
“We already have someone who has qualified for 100m and 200m freestyle which is Steve Khiew, so if we want to compete in these individual events also, we must be among the top two in Malaysia,” he said during the Tiga Saga Sunlight Cup 2025 at Pavilion Bukit Jalil today.
Beyond individual events, Sim also sees strong potential in contributing to Malaysia’s freestyle relay squad, which has consistently performed well at the SEA Games.
“For the relay team, we need to be in the top four placing in Malaysia to represent Malaysia. I think these events have potential for me to go for the SEA Games,” he said.
Assessing regional competitions, Sim acknowledged the strength of neighbouring countries that could pose serious challenges.
“Singapore has always been a very strong team for us in the relay events, and the Vietnam team is not to be sidelined as well, but Malaysia has always been a very, very strong team in the SEA Games as well,” he said.
— Bernama
