NAYPYITAW (Myanmar), Dec 14 ― Christina Loh clinched the country’s first gold medal in swimming via the women’s 100m breaststroke on the second day of swimming competition of Myanmar SEA Games at the Wunna Theikdi Aquatic Centre here today.

She chalked up a time of 1 minute 10.55 seconds to beat two Thai challengers ,Salubluek Chavunooch and Pawapotako Phiangkhwan who received the silver and bronze respectively.

Another Malaysian swimmer in the event, Nadia Adrianna Redza Goh was placed sixth out of eight swimmers.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin who was present to witness the event, presented the medal to all winners.

Christina when met by reporters after the event, did not expect to win the gold medal on her first outing today.

“I am very happy to be able to contribute a gold medal to the country and I hope to win the second gold medal in the 200m breaststroke tomorrow,” she said.

In this regard, the national swimming squad continued their tepid performance after two medal hopefuls, Daniel Bego and Khoo Cai Lin failed to deliver.

In the men’s 100m freestyle, Bego was placed fourth while compatriot Lim Ching Hwang came out last in the event.

For the women’s 400m freestyle, Cai Lin could only muster the fifth place while Nadia Adrianna came out seventh.

Yap Siew Hui and Erica Kong Chia Chia also turned out empty handed in the 4x100m women’s relay when they took the fourth place.

Seven gold medals will be at stake in the third day of competition for swimming tomorrow via men’s 400m freestyle, men’s and women’s 100m backstroke, men’s and women’s 100m butterfly, women’s 800m freestyle as well as the men’s 4x100m relay. ― Bernama