GOLD COAST: Tern Jian Han served a surprise at the Commonwealth Games when the swimmer made the men's 50m backstroke semi-finals at the Optus Aquatic Centre on Saturday.
The 23-year-old clocked 25.83 to finish third in his heat and fifth overall to advance to the semi-final stage.
With a new personal best, Jian Han could pull another surprise by breaking Lim Keng Liat's record of 25.67 set at the 2002 Manchester edition, in the semi-finals later on Saturday.
"I'm happy to make the semi-finals because I never really expected it," said Jian Han.
"The time was also a big surprise because I was not swimming well prior to this.
"I definitely hope to keep pushing and hopefully improve on the timing in the semi-finals."