Can Dhuha and Kelly rule the Sukma pool again?

SHAH ALAM — Dhuha Zulfikry and Kelly Teo dominated the pool with six gold medals each during the Sarawak Malaysia Games (Sukma) in 2024. As they prepare for a potential repeat performance two years later, the question remains whether they can continue their success. The swimming programme kicks off at the Selangor Aquatics Pool on Wednesday, with Dhuha and Sarawak's Kelly among the top contenders.

At 16, Dhuha made waves as one of the stars from the previous Games, securing six gold medals and breaking four Sukma records in the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 1,500m freestyle, and 4x100m freestyle relay. His performances have continued to impress, as he showed at the Malaysia Open, clocking 3:58.37 in the 400m freestyle, finishing behind national star Khiew Hoe Yean.

Even though Kelly didn't break any records during her six-gold haul in Kuching, she remains the most successful female swimmer from the 2024 Games. The upcoming battles, particularly in women's freestyle events, could determine the outcome as Perak's Nadia Lim and Selangor's Eliza Tan vie for national records. Nadia, already holding the women's 100m freestyle national mark, will face Eliza, who is defending her record in her home pool.

Selangor also boasts another promising prospect, Shannon Tan, who could challenge for medals in the women's 100m and 200m butterfly events. As Dhuha and Kelly aim to defend their status as the most prolific swimmers in the Sukma, the stage is set for a closer competition than ever before.