Malaysia turns to outside expertise to end 24-year Asian Games swimming medal drought

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Aquatics (MAS) is exploring the possibility of bringing in external expertise to end the country’s prolonged wait for an Asian Games swimming medal, after the national squad once again returned empty-handed from Aichi-Nagoya.

MAS secretary-general Andy Low said the association could no longer afford to be complacent, despite encouraging signs from the swimmers at the games, where Malaysia recorded one national record and three personal bests.

He said the results showed progress, but acknowledged that Malaysia remained some distance behind the leading swimming nations in Asia.

“Swimming hasn’t won a medal at the Asian Games for a long time. We have tried as much as we can. There were personal bests and a (national) record was set.

“Yes, there are others who are better. So perhaps we need to work harder, maybe seek expertise from outside or look at how we can improve,” he told Scoop when contacted.

Malaysia’s last Asian Games swimming medal came in 2002, when Alex Lim won bronze, leaving the country facing more than two decades without a podium finish in the sport at the continental games.

Andy, however, said MAS was not planning to make sweeping changes to the national coaching set-up, with British coach Michael Kinross having only taken charge four months ago.

He stressed that continuity was important if the swimmers were to make meaningful progress, warning that frequent coaching changes could disrupt both the athletes and the association’s long-term planning.

“If we keep changing coaches, it won’t work. The swimmers will become confused and so will our planning,” he said.

With the Asian Games campaign now over, MAS has turned its attention towards the 2027 Sea games, where Malaysia have set an initial target of two gold medals in swimming.

Andy said the association had already identified the swimmers who would form part of its preparations for the regional games, with Malaysia’s status as hosts adding further motivation.

“We have already identified the swimmers to be prepared for the Sea games.

“Since we are the hosts, we want to help Malaysia become overall champions,” he said.

As part of the build-up, the national swimmers are also expected to gain greater exposure to international competition, including the World Championships in Beijing, to raise their level ahead of the Sea games.

At Aichi-Nagoya, the men’s 4x200m freestyle quartet of Khiew Hoe Yean, Ananda Lim, Tan Khai Xin and Arvin Shaun Singh Chahal provided one of the highlights by setting a new national record of 7:18.79 to finish fifth.

Their performance saw them lower the previous national mark of 7:19.50 set at the 2025 Sea games.

While swimming missed out on a medal, Andy said MAS could take encouragement from the performance of the diving squad, which exceeded its original target at the Games.

The diving team returned with one silver and two bronze medals, surpassing the initial target of one bronze, while most of the 10 divers also achieved their respective Minimum Qualifying Scores.

Andy said the results provided a positive foundation for MAS to build on as the association looks towards the Sea games and the longer-term development of its aquatic athletes. - October 14, 2026

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