Swimming: A surprise medal raises local cheer

The Singaporean media were milling about in the mixed zone, waiting to speak to Chad le Clos and Katinka Hosszu, the king and queen of the Fina/Mastbank Swimming World Cup series, when the announcer's voice boomed, "And taking the bronze in the mixed 4x50m medley relay is Team Singapore!"

Even the Singapore quartet of Kevin Ong, Kenneth Lim, Nur Marina Chan and Amanda Lim were surprised by the unexpected medal after finishing in 1min 46.17sec.

Russia took gold in 1:43.26, while the United States collected silver in 1:46.03.

"We didn't expect to medal," said a delighted Kenneth, 21.

"We just tried our best and winning something was a bonus."

Team Singapore were actually leading the after Kenneth's second leg, although the competition rules do not stipulate the order of gender in the relay.

They were fourth when Nur Marina handed over to anchor swimmer Amanda, and the latter had to summon all her powers to reel in the one-second gap and see off Japan by 0.46s to take bronze.

Amanda said: "It's not all on me because if the first three swimmers didn't swim well, we would have been too far behind.

"This is a strong team and it was fun swimming the mixed relay.

"There is also the mixed 4x50m freestyle tomorrow and it will be good to get another medal on home ground."

davidlee@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Nov 2, 2014.
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