KUALA LUMPUR - National swimmer Bryan Leong, currently based in the United Kingdom, booked a ticket to the 2023 FINA World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka, Japan after surpassing the Category B qualifying mark set by the World Swimming Federation (FINA).
The 20-year-old swimmer from Kuala Lumpur, clocked 53.48s in the men’s 100m (butterfly) to finish in 9th place at the 2023 British Swimming Championships held at the Fonds Forge International Sports Complex in England, yesterday.
Bryan first shot to fame when he smashed the 13-year-old national record in the men’s 100m butterfly with a time of 53.32 seconds at the 20th Malaysia Games.
The feat at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil erased the old record of 53.33s set by former national swimmer, Daniel Bego, at the World Championships in Rome, Italy, in 2009.
Swimming Malaysia secretary-general Mae Chen when contacted by Bernama said the association was happy and proud to hear of the young swimmer’s feat in the championship and news of his qualification for the World Championships.
Mae Chen said apart from Bryan, Steve Khiew Hoe Yean, Andrew Goh Zheng Yen and Phee Jinq En have also earned their places for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka.
"We are very happy to know that another swimmer has qualified to Fukuoka. We have about two months for the championships and we hope more swimmers can qualify on merit," said Mae Chan.- BERNAMA