By Matt Pond
The swimmers of the BISP JSA Swim Academy at the British International School, Phuket (BISP) in Phuket, under the guidance of Head Coach Simon Jones, are going from strength to strength in the pool for their representative countries and have achieved some amazing feats already this year.
16 of the swimmers, who compete at National and International level in both the youth and senior age groups, have represented their home countries in a number of events and between them have broken 55 nation records for countries including Hungary, the Netherlands, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Namibia, the Seychelles, Russia and Australia.
However, it not only the swimmers who should be proud of themselves, as Simon himself was selected to be the National Coach for the Thailand National Team for the South East Asian (SEA) Games held in Singapore in June this year.
Although a number of the swimmers have reached new levels and set new records for their home countries, it is Wong Fu Kang from Malaysia who has surpassed all expectations, and along with taking Gold in the 100 metres Breaststroke and Bronze in the 50 metres Breaststroke at the SEA Games, beat the Malaysian National Record in both events.
More recently, Fu Kang became the first ever Malaysian to win golds at the Commonwealth Youth Games held in Samoa earlier this month, not once, but twice.
His first Gold came in the men’s 100m Breaststroke, and although his finishing time was some way off his personal best and record that he broke back in March this year which had stood for 15 years. He then went on to take his second Gold in the 50m Breaststroke.
The results not only meant that Fu Kang was the first Malaysian to win a medal at the meet, but, with his times as they were, also meant he had reached Olympic Qualifying standard and is highly likely to represent Malaysia at the Olympics to be held in Rio next year.
However, although Fu Kang has stood out in his competitions this year, he is not the only swimmer to have met Olympic grade.
A second BISP JSA Swim Academy team member, 19-year-old Thai national Phiangkwan “Eing” Pawapotako, who took four silvers in the 200 metres Breaststroke, 200 metres Individual Medley, 400 metres Individual Medley and the 4x100m Medley Relay at the SEA Games, has also made the grade.
In some of the other major swim meets that other members of the BISP JSA Swim Academy members have swam in this year, Felicity Passon represented the Seychelles; Lushano Lamprecht, Namibia; Chantal Liew, Singapore; and Roxanne Yu, the Philippines, at the SEA Games.
Roxanne swam a personal best of 2.18.45 in the 200 metres and came home with a bronze medal.
In addition to the nine individual events, the swimmers also competed in relay races for their respective countries.
Speaking about the swimmers achievements so far this year, Coach Jones said, “The opportunity for our swimmers to qualify and compete in some of the biggest competitions in the swimming calendar this year, is a testament to the dedication and application to excellence that these swimmers have shown.
“With four Olympic qualifying times achieved already from some of these swimmers, the coming few months will provide them all with an opportunity that very few will ever place themselves in.”
Click here to read more Swimming World stories about the British International School, Phuket.
For more information about the BISP JSA Swim Academy, visit bisphuket.ac.th/bisp-jsa-swim-academy, follow the team’s Facebook page at facebook.com/swimphuket, or contact Head Coach Simon Jones: aquatics@bisphuket.ac.th
The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworld.com.
Liz Walker check this out ?! Maybe my next holiday 🙂
You should! Then come stay with us! Got some great bike rides on the Mekong islands !