Daniel and Cai Lin are hot favourites for Olympian award

KUALA LUMPUR: Swimmer Daniel Bego is among five male candidates for the 2007 OCM-Coca Cola Olympian of the Year award.

The award is for the most outstanding Malaysian athlete at the recent Korat SEA Games and the other candidates are equestrian rider Qabil Ambak, archer Cheng Chu Sian, diver Yeoh Ken Nee and taekwondo exponent Lim Yoke Wai.

All of them were multiple gold medal winners in the Games.

Three athletes have been shortlisted for the female award. They are swimmer Khoo Cai Lin, diver Leong Mun Yee and rhythmic gymnast Chrystal Lim Wen Chean.

The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, said yesterday that the award, which carries a winner's purse of RM10,000, would be presented at their annual dinner soon.

Favourites: Swimmers Daniel Bego (left) and Khoo Cai Lin are the frontrunners for the 2007 OCM-Coca Cola Olympian of the Year awards.

“This is not an Olympic year and the winners will be decided based on their performances at the SEA Games,” he said.

Daniel won the 100m butterfly and 200m freestyle in Games record times and in the process also qualified for the Beijing Olympics in those events.

Qabil won four gold medals from the team and individual competitions of the dressage and show jumping events. Ken Nee took gold in the 1m springboard, 3m springboard and 3m synchronized diving events.

Chu Sian took the gold medal in the recurve individual and team event and also beat Olympic qualifying marks. Yoke Wai emerged as the champion in the Under 65kg and Open categories.

Cai Lin is seen as the favourite for the female award from her outstanding performances in the 400m and 800m freestyle, smashing the Games record in both events and qualifying for the Olympics as well.

Mun Yee was the winner in the 1m springboard and 3m synchronized diving events while Chrystal won gold medals in the clubs, ropes, ribbon and the team events.

The Star