2019 SEA GAMES
- Wednesday, December 4th – Monday, December 9th (swimming)
- New Clark City Aquatics Center, Phillippines
- LCM
- SEA Games Official Website
- Swimming Athlete Entries
The 30th edition of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is almost upon us, as the pool swimming portion of the elite biannual competition is set to begin on Wednesday, December 4th. Action is slated to take place at the newly-constructed New Clark City Aquatics Center.
11 countries from around the region typically participate in the prestigious event, with the Philippines having played host both in 1981 and in 1991. This year’s hosting rights were originally awarded to Brunei Darussalam, but the country pulled out due to “financial and logistical reasons.”
At the 2017 edition of the SEA Games, the nation of Singapore came away with the overall swimming medal table crown, amassing a total of 37 pieces of hardware in all, including 19 golds. Behind the powerhouse aquatic nation was Vietnam, who took home 23 medals, including 10 gold, while host nation Malaysia rounded out the top 3 nations with 11 total medals.
In terms of competitors this time around, an Olympic champion will indeed be in the New Clark City pool, as Singaporean 100m fly gold medalist Joseph Schooling appears among the entries. The 24-year-old former Texas Longhorn earned 3 individual SEA Games gold medals in 2017, including in the men’s 100m free, 50m fly and 100m fly events.
Here in the Phillippines, Schooling is set to compete in the aforementioned events, as well as the 4x100m, 4x200m free relays and 4x100m medley relay.
He’ll be accompanied by fellow Singaporean swimmers Maximillian Ang, Christie May Chue, Lionel Khoo, Teong Tzen Wei, as well as the trio of siblings in Quah Jing Wen, Quah Ting Wen and Quah Zheng Wen.
Zheng Wen topped the men’s 100m back, 200m back and 200m fly podium 2 years ago, while also clinching 50m back silver. Ting Wen was the 2017 SEA Games gold medalist in the women’s 100m free and 50m fly, while Jing Wen earned the top prize across the 100m fly and 200m fly.
Vietnam Olympian Thi Anh Vien Nguyen is set to compete, as are Daniel Lim and Welson Sim of Malaysia, all of whom won medals in Malaysia last time. Nguyen was especially dangerous, having struck gold individually an incredible 8 times, standing atop the 2017 SEA Games podium in the 200m, 400m, 800m free events, all 3 backstroke distances, as well as both IM events.
For the host nation of the Phillippines, Remedy Rule stands out as a viable medal contender, with the former Texas swimmer having recently been the first-ever Filipino to grace an International Swimming League (ISL) roster. Rule joined DC Trident for the Maryland meet where she finished 8th in the 50m fly (26.91), 2nd in the 200m fly (2:05.38) and 7th in the 100m fly (57.95), all short course meters.
That’s only partially true. Natalie Coughlin is 50% Pilipina.
I heard Kayla Sanchez Canadian Citizen but 100% Filipino blood
Remember back in 2017 when Schooling said that his rivalry with Dressel would be like Phelps and Cavic?
So one guy wins all the time and goes on to have a legendary career and the other guy fades into obscurity after a couple of good years? Sounds about right
It’s not even sporting to dump on Schooling anymore. I miss that.
It got monotonous
That’s a HOF comment right there.
I see Schooling’s 2016 Olympics like Agnel’s 2012 Olympics. They went downhill from there.
Tbf to Agnel though, that dude burned out. He couldn’t help it. Schooling is just not doing the work. It looks like he’s content with what he’s accomplished in the sport, an Olympic gold medal in the 100 fly. I think he’s just in it for the money.
Plus, Agnel was Bowman’d.
Dude went 1:44.3 while completely screwing up his training. Wonder what would could have been with him..
That entire Phelps-pseudo-retired Bowman group did terribly.