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‘Kate the Chemist’
book has 25
experiments for
housebound kids
Page 14
All set for a dream international debut
This local swimmer hopes to compete at the 10
th
ASEAN Para Games, tentatively
postponed to October this year.
Brunei Darussalam para swimmer Md Danial
Hakim bin Harjimmey has been in contention
for selection as a potential candidate in
swimming in the 10
th
ASEAN Para Games
in Manila, the Philippines since his name
emerged as one of the frontrunners.
Md Danial Hakimheightened preparations
for his international breakthrough with his
appearance in the 8
th
Brunei Open & Masters
Swimming Championships at the Swimming
Pool of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports
Complex last September.
The local swimmer, who performs under
the banner of Dolphin Swimming Club, has
been eying to make his international debut
in Manila. His probable appearance will
undoubtedly help build his progress as a
competitive swimmer in both the national
and regional front.
With the world in sporting lockdown due
to COVID19, the ASEAN Para Games has
since been postponed to October tentative-
ly, with the board planning to reconvene a
meeting in July where a inal decision on the
dates is expected.
“Preparations have been good. If all goes
well, it will be my irst international competi-
tion in Manila,” said Md Danial Hakim.
If things go well in his quest for selection,
events in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle
and 50m backstroke will all be lined up for Md
Danial Hakim. The 18-year-old also revealed
that the 50m freestyle is his signature event.
Amid ierce competition on the local
scene, Md Danial Hakim has been swimming
competitively since 2018 after making his
debut in a school open competition.
The swimmer featured in the Brunei Sec-
ondary Inter-School Swimming Champion-
ships as one of the local swimmers looking to
make an impression.
His support system includes his dad
Harjimmey bin Zainal, who is also a coach at
the Dolphin Swimming Club.
Before the COVID19 crisis came into
existence, Md Danial Hakim intensively car-
ried out training in preparation for the Ma-
nila meet.
He had increased intensity with laps
on the pool doubled as competition time
edged closer.
The swimmer talked about his experi-
ences as soon as there was a possibility of
gaining selection and emphasised the need
to watch on his food intake.
“It has been tough to be honest,” he said.
“Training has been tough and there is more
pressure than normal training. We have more
to do than before.”
“For example, if we are doing 30 laps of
freestyle, then you’d have to do like 50 and
you have to double it.”
Asked if he harbours any ambitions and
goals in Manila, he said, “I would like to go
further but I do not expect to get medals for
my irst international race.”
“My objective will be to do my best and to
achieve a personal best,” he afirmed.
The year 2019 saw Md Danial Hakim
progressively evolving as a swimmer in a
competitive environment as bigger tests
lie ahead.
The Open tournament last year served as
a platform where he enjoyed improvement as
he looked to enhance his development.
“I would say I did much better than my last
event. This is like my ifth (local tournament).
This is one of the best tournaments that I did.
Before joining, I felt nervous to be honest,” he
shared.
In his most recent outing during the 7
th
Brunei Sprints Swimming Championships
last February, he clocked a personal best in
the 50m freestyle with a time of 34.63s.
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020
Brunei Darussalam para swimmer Md Danial
Hakim bin Harjimmey. PHOTO: FADHIL YUNUS
Fadhil Yunus