Siow wins gold breaks records at SE Asia Games

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas swimmer Yi-Ting Siow won a gold medal in the 200-meter individual medley event Thursday at the Southeast Asia Games in Laos.

Her time of 2:14.57 broke the Southeast Asia Games mark of 2:17.17 held by Singaporean swimmer Joscelin Yeo and her own Malaysian record of 2:16.92.

"It was my timing to do that here," Siow said. "I was not in good form a few times, so this is the time to do that. It was actually target to win the gold medal in this event.

"I was shocked to know that I broke the Games record because I was telling myself to clock in the region of 2:15.00 but 2:14.00 is certainly a bonus."

Siow has already qualified for the NCAA Championships and earned Southeastern Conference swimmer of the week honors three times, through the halfway point of the collegiate season. The senior has also earned NCAA "B" cuts in the 200-yard IM, 400y IM and the 100y breaststroke. Her time of 2:09.01 represents the fastest in the NCAA this season.

"Yi-Ting continues to demonstrate why she is one of the top swimmers in the world in her specialty events," Arkansas coach Jeff Poppell said. "It is nice to see her receive the success and recognition she deserves. Her time in the 200m IM represented a new personal best by over two seconds and shattered the previous Southeast Asia Games record set a decade ago. For more information about Arkansas’ swimming and diving team, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Associated Press, Southeast Asia, and Bernama.com also contributed to this story.