SWIMMING: Ian raises the Barr
MEMORABLE: The 17 year old overcomes pain barrier to rewrite national record
Federal Territories’ Ian James Barr clocked two minutes 5.82 seconds to win the 200m individual medley yesterday. Pic by Afif Abd Halim
THE loudest cheers at the Wisma Belia Aquatic complex yesterday were reserved for the Federal Territories' Ian James Barr as he powered his way through the pain barrier to win the men's 200m individual medley gold, at the same time slicing more than a second off the current national record.
Ian clocked two minutes 5.82 seconds to better the previous national record of 2:06.98s which he himself had set at last year's Indonesia Sea Games.
In second place was Johor's Tia Fang Der (2:13.68s) while bronze went to Selangor's Teh Wei Pin 2:13.96s.
The 17-year-old said the victory was the most memorable of his career as he had not been training as hard as he usually would due to an injured shoulder.
"I am really happy as I had in no way expected to win, not to mention break the (national) record," said the Methodist Boys School student.
"I injured my shoulder due to overuse at the Southeast Asian Swimming championships (in Singapore) three weeks ago and have only been able to train my lower body since them.
"I feel my shoulder is only at 85 per cent and was really hurting in the race but somehow, I managed to do so well.
"This is definitely the most memorable race of my career so far."
Ian, who on Sunday had broken the meet record on his way to winning the 50m backstroke event, said the Malaysia Games will be his last tournament until he finishes his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations at the end of the year.
"I will be concentrating on my exams after this and won't swim until after the exams.
"I want to do well and hopefully be able to further my studies abroad as I hope to be able to train overseas to improve myself."
Selangor won the most medals in yesterday's proceedings, bagging four of eight gold medals on offer with FT, Johor, Penang and Sarawak all winning one gold medal each.
Article by New Street Time Tuesday 10-07-2012
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