Story by Zachary Foo/Red Sports. Photos by Laura Lee, Clara Yuan and Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports

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Pawapotako Phiangkwan clinched gold in the Girls’ A Division 200m IM in a time of 2 minutes 19.61 seconds. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)

Singapore Sports School, Tuesday, April 22, 2014 — It was a day to celebrate for Singapore Sports School as Pawapotako Phiangkwan and Amanda Tam both set new meet records at the 55th National Schools Swimming Championships.

Pawapotako clinched the gold in the Girls’ A Division 200m individual medley event in a time of 2 minutes 19.61 seconds, shattering the previous mark by more than three seconds.

Quah Ting Wen, then of Raffles Institution, had held the previous mark of 2:22.77 set in 2009.

Christabel Chai of Anglo-Chinese Junior College came in a distant second in a time of 2:42.08, while Richelle Ang of Raffles Institution claimed third in 2:48.14.

Pawapotako said, “It feels great. It wasn’t my personal best but I am happy that I was able to break the meet record. I want to thank the school for providing me with the opportunity to come here to train and study. I especially want to thank coach Barry for his guidance.”

Pawapotako represented Thailand in last December’s Southeast Asian Games, and won a silver medal in this event by clocking a time of 2:17.59.

In the Girls’ A Division 50m breaststroke event, Amanda Tam also broke the meet record, but by a mere 0.01s. She clocked a personal best time of 34.82 seconds to win the gold medal.

Grace Choy of Raffles Institution held the previous record of 34.83 seconds, which she set in 2006.

Koh Xiao Li of Temasek Junior College and Rachel Lee of RI rounded up the podium. Xiao Li clocked a time of 35.84 seconds to finish second, while Rachel finished third in a time of 36.31 seconds.

Amanda said, “It was extraordinary because I never thought I would be able to do it, especially after my 200m breaststroke this morning which wasn’t so great. I am hoping to make the 2015 SEA Games and do well in the SEA age group swimming competition in June. I want to thank coach Barry for helping me. I am under a new program and it has been hard for us to communicate. I also want to thank my mom for always supporting me.”

A Division Girls 200m Individual Medley Results
1st Pawapotako Phiangkwan (Singapore Sports School) — 2:19.61
2nd Chai Juan Yi Christabel (Anglo-Chinese Junior College) — 2:42.08
3rd Ang Ee Lynn Richelle (Raffles Institution) — 2:48.14
4th Ang Hui Shan Dayna (Raffles Institution) — 2:50.49
5th Tan Xin Ying Clarinda (Raffles Institution) — 2:53.29
6th Goh Mi Shan Brittany (Temasek Junior College) — 2:59.80

A Division Girls 50m Breaststroke Results
1st Tam An Tian Amanda (Singapore Sports School) — 34.82s
2nd Koh Xiao Li (Temasek Junior College) — 35.84s
3rd Lee Jia Hui Rachel (Raffles Institution) — 36.31s
4th Suriadi Jeremia Christy (Singapore Sports School) — 36.37s
5th Chai Juan Yi Christabel (Anglo-Chinese Junior College) — 37.49s
6th Tan Su-En Grace (Raffles Institution) — 38.66s
7th Tan Yu Ting Caley (Anglo-Chinese Junior College) — 38.70s
8th Chue Su Xin Joanna (Raffles Institution) — 38.97s

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