KUALA LUMPUR: Khiew Hoe Yean missed out on a historic podium finish for Malaysia in swimming at the World University Games in Chengdu, China, on Thursday.
Hoe Yean, a gold medallist at the Phnom Penh Sea Games in May, finished fourth in the men's 200m freestyle final after clocking 1:48.28s at the Dong'an Lake Sports Park Aquatic Centre. He was just 0:00.17 second behind bronze medallist Giovanni Caserta of Italy, who clocked 1:48.01.Poland's K.A. Sieradki topped the event in 1:47.60, followed by Lithuanian Tomas Navikonis (1:47.73).
Hoe Yean said the promising outing will give him the confidence for the Hangzhou Asian Games from Sept 23-Oct 8."I am satisfied with my timing. It is my second fastest time this season," said the 20-year-old.
"I tried my best in the final but missed out on a medal. My timing was only 0.1 seconds slower than my personal best at the World Championships in Fukuoka last month,"Malaysia last won a swimming medal at Universiade at the 1991 Sheffield edition through Jeffrey Ong (1,500m freestyle — silver medal).