KUCHING: Swim Art Club (SAC) collected a total of 24 gold, 14 silver and 19 bronze medals at the MAS/MILO All-Stars Swimming Circuit 2026, which was held from 11 to 12 July simultaneously across Central, Northern and East Malaysia regions.
The East Malaysia leg was hosted by the Amateur Swimming Association of Sarawak (ASAS) at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, where SAC fielded a team of 30 swimmers.
Competing in Group 3 (aged 12 to 13), Russell Liaw Yi Han led the club's medal tally with nine gold and two silver medals, winning the 50 metre (m), 100m and 200m breaststroke, 100m and 200m freestyle, 100m and 200m backstroke, 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley, while taking silver in the 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke.
Group 2 (14-15) swimmer Roman Aryan Raphael collected three gold, two silver and four bronze medals, with gold in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, silver in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, and bronze in the 50m butterfly, 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley.
The club's other medal winners were Group 1 (16-18) swimmers Ayden Maximilian Lim Wei, who claimed four gold and two silver medals, and Ayden Wong, who won two gold and one silver.
In Group 2, Max Chew collected five gold, three silver and one bronze, Bong Yi Xiang secured one gold, three silver and one bronze while Jaden Tan Yu Hao added one silver and one bronze.
Group 3 swimmers Haley Lau, Asthon Phang and Angel Joan Liew each won a bronze medal, while Group 4 (11 and under) Tay Jen Yii brought home seven bronze medals.
Looking at the weekend's results, head coach Gary Lau found himself thinking about the swimmers' early days with the club.
"When Russell first joined us in 2021, he was learning the basic kicking drills with a board. Roman came to us in 2022 after we recruited him from SJK Chung Hua No. 5, and at that time he was still learning how to float. Looking at where they are today, it has been a rewarding journey for all of us," he said.
Lau said Angel had also progressed through the club after joining the Stampin Learn-to-Swim Programme, adding that all three swimmers had started with the basics before gradually progressing into competitive swimming.
"Not every child joins us with the aim of becoming a competitive swimmer. Some simply want to learn a life skill. As they become more confident in the water and enjoy swimming, some choose to take the next step into competition. Our role is to guide and support them throughout that journey," he added.
Lau also thanked Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian for his continued support of the club, stating that the contribution has enabled SAC to provide more opportunities for children to learn swimming.
Besides its regular training programmes, SAC also enrols persons with disabilities (PWD) from primary schools and provides them with free Learn-to-Swim classes to help them build confidence in the water and learn essential water safety skills.
"We believe every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim. It is an important life skill, and we want to make it accessible to as many children as possible, including students with disabilities. Seeing some of our swimmers go on to compete is rewarding, but helping children become safe and confident in the water is just as important," he said. -UKASnews
