Kota Kinabalu: A record number of 422 swimmers took part in the recent 58th Sabah Invitational Age Group Swimming Championships 2026 held at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex Aquatic Centre.
Sabah Aquatic Sports Association (Sasa) president Daniel Lee Jun Qi in a statement released on Tuesday said the record attendance marks a significant milestone, reinforcing the event’s reputation as a flagship in the state’s swimming calendar.
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“This was the highest number of participants ever recorded and a total of 145 events were contested over three days.
“The participating teams were all Sasa’s affiliates including Blue Marlin Swimming Club (BMSC), Penampang Preppies Swimming Club (PPSC), PJMS Aquatic Swimming Club (PJMS), Sea Dragon Swimming Club (SDSC), SSA Swimming Club (SSA), and new members, Barracuda Aquatic Club (BAC) and Tiger Shark Swimming Club (TSSC) in addition to Malaysia Aquatic (MAS), Akuatik Kuala Lumpur (AKL), and Persatuan Akuatik Labuan (PAL),” he said.
Meanwhile, the championship boys’ overall title was won by Jeremy Ng Chong Wei with one State record and nine golds, and the girls’ title went to Dayang Sari Abdullah with one State record, one meet record, eight golds and two silvers.
In the individual awards, the group one overall boys’ title went to Tanner Joibi (PPSC), while the girls’ title won by Laura Lee Yen Nie (PPSC).
In group two (14 to 15), Umar Rayyan Bin Abdullah (PJMS) was crowned the boys’ champion and the girls’ title went to Careyna Joseph Bulawdan (SDSC).
In group three (12 to 13), the boys’ title went to Jeremy Ng Chong Wei (TSSC), followed by 1st runner-up Destin Ho Xin Hong (SDSC) and 2nd runner-up Skye Teo Ye Xiang (AKL).
Dayang Sari Abdullah (PPSC) took the girls’ title, followed by 1st runner-up Arianna Daniella Aziz Shahrizan (PAL) and 2nd runner-up Nur Dhuha Rosmaini (PAL).
In group four (10 to 11), Edric Connor Liew Kett (PPSC) clinched the boys’ title followed by 1st runner-up Ngok Shao Han Edward (AKL), and 2nd runner-up Tiong Shong Feng (AKL), while the girls’ title went to Arisya Damia Ronisafhin (PJMS), followed by 1st runner-up Nathea Teanna Perez Molijol (BMSC) and 2nd runner-up Ava Esmeralda Lee (SDSC).
The group five (9 under) boys’ title went to Shane Lee Xiao Jian (SSA) followed by first runner-up Rafit Razqa Rahmatdan (PAL) and 2nd runner-up Boaz Balang Bravo (BMSC).
In the girls’ category, the title was captured by Chanelle Ezra Teo (PAL), followed by 1st runner-up Lee Siao Chern (TSSC) and 2nd runner-up Nur Qistina Adreena Mohd Ridzuan (PAL).
Daniel congratulated all the winners and commented on the participating teams and the event’s organising committee for their involvement to ensure the success of the event.
He added that the state body emphasises the importance of evolving alongside the constant changes and will ensure their human resources personnel are equipped for future challenges by providing them training and exposure.
He also congratulated the swimmers who have qualified for the 61st Malaysia Invitational Age Group Swimming Championships 2026 to be held at the National Aquatic Centre from Feb 5-8.
“Sabah will be sending a record number of 102 swimmers to the event. Our focus now directed towards the challenges in arranging flights, ground transportation, and accommodations for such a large number of swimmers.
“However, we are glad to receive such overwhelming support from the parents and coaches in our effort to overcome the obstacles.
“Hopefully, these swimmers will be able to gain much-needed exposure and allow them to continue to improve.”
He also took the opportunity to thank the Sabah Sport Council and Sabah Sports Board for their support and the continued working relationship.
