PETALING JAYA: Swimmer Daniel Bego is definitely out of the Indonesia SEA Games – sinking Malaysia’s hopes of repeating their 15-gold medal haul in aquatics.
Daniel, who starred with a five-gold feat in the Laos Games two years ago, has been ruled out for the rest of this year after undergoing a shoulder operation to correct a long-standing bone spur problem.
(A bone spur is a growth which forms on normal bone and can be extremely painful when it comes into contact with soft tissues or ligaments.)
No splash: Daniel Bego has been ruled out for the rest of this year after undergoing a shoulder operation. National swimming coach Paul Birmingham said there was no way Daniel could recover in time to swim competitively at the SEA Games, which will be held in November.
Daniel is already skipping the World Championships in Shanghai in July although it is a major qualifying meet for the London Olympics next year.
“He is definitely out of the November SEA Games as he needs to rest for at least four months before getting back into the pool,” said Birmingham.
“We’ll have to do without him. I hope he’ll come back next year and aim to qualify for the Olympics.
“There is still time but whether he makes it or not depends on his progress in training.”
The aquatics team made a big splash in Laos, with nine of the 15 gold medals coming from the swimmers.
Birmingham conceded that Malaysia’s chances of repeating the feat in Palembang “are slim”.
Adding to his woes is the uncertain form of Siow Yi Ting.
The top female breaststroker is set to return home next month after completing her studies in the United States but she has not trained for almost a year and it is anybody’s guess whether she can repeat her three-gold medal show from Laos.
“These two swimmers are the inspiring figures in the team but I hope the others can rise to the challenge,” said Birmingham.
It looks like Daniel will take a big hit financially from his enforced absence from the Games.
Daniel, who broke four SEA Games records in Laos, would have been entitled to a big windfall if he could repeat his act in Palembang as the incentive for a gold medal has doubled from RM5,000 to RM10,000.
Daniel, who starred with a five-gold feat in the Laos Games two years ago, has been ruled out for the rest of this year after undergoing a shoulder operation to correct a long-standing bone spur problem.
(A bone spur is a growth which forms on normal bone and can be extremely painful when it comes into contact with soft tissues or ligaments.)
No splash: Daniel Bego has been ruled out for the rest of this year after undergoing a shoulder operation.Daniel is already skipping the World Championships in Shanghai in July although it is a major qualifying meet for the London Olympics next year.
“He is definitely out of the November SEA Games as he needs to rest for at least four months before getting back into the pool,” said Birmingham.
“We’ll have to do without him. I hope he’ll come back next year and aim to qualify for the Olympics.
“There is still time but whether he makes it or not depends on his progress in training.”
The aquatics team made a big splash in Laos, with nine of the 15 gold medals coming from the swimmers.
Birmingham conceded that Malaysia’s chances of repeating the feat in Palembang “are slim”.
Adding to his woes is the uncertain form of Siow Yi Ting.
The top female breaststroker is set to return home next month after completing her studies in the United States but she has not trained for almost a year and it is anybody’s guess whether she can repeat her three-gold medal show from Laos.
“These two swimmers are the inspiring figures in the team but I hope the others can rise to the challenge,” said Birmingham.
It looks like Daniel will take a big hit financially from his enforced absence from the Games.
Daniel, who broke four SEA Games records in Laos, would have been entitled to a big windfall if he could repeat his act in Palembang as the incentive for a gold medal has doubled from RM5,000 to RM10,000.
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