Brunei swimmer fails to break national record at Youth Olympics

National swimmer Amanda Liew Jia Xin's face was etched with frustration after she failed to break her personal best in the Youth Women's 50-metre breaststroke yesterday.

Participating at the Youth Olympics, Liew clocked 36.51 seconds to finish last among seven participants in Heat Two at the Singapore Sports School.

Present yesterday to witness the action was president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid Hj Mohd Jaafar were also present.

The 16-year-old swimmer was visibly flustered after the performance that failed to better her personal best as well as the national record of 36.06s.

"Obviously, no (it wasn't satisfactory)," said Liew.

She, however, denied that the pressure of participating at the Youth Olympic Games had gotten to her.

"I didn't think about it, I tried not to. I keep my mind blank when competing," Liew told The Brunei Times.

National swim coach Eva Wong also shared her disciple's sentiments.

"I'm not really satisfied. I know that she can do better than that," said Wong.

"At least she was able to be consistent and maintain it at around 36s. That's good," added the coach.

The Sultanate's most prolific swimmer still has a lot to improve if she ever intends to compete with the big players.

All eight finalists in the event averaged below 33s, except Lithuania's Urte Kazakeviciute (33.05s).

One casualty in the semi-finals later in the night was the 2009 Asian Youth Games 50m breaststroke gold medallist, Wang Chang.

The Chinese swimmer's time of 33.29s was not enough for her to compete in the final today.

Liew will have the chance to prove her three-week of intensive training in Kota Kinabalu is not a waste on Thursday, when she jumps into the pool for the Youth Women's 50m freestyle at the same venue.

Courtesy from Brunei Times