The Meet.
The Recap.

Foreword

This was my inaugural Asian Age Groups throughout the short time I have been photographing aquatics; I missed the last one in the Philippines because of delays associated with the issuing of my accreditation, so I knew I wasn't going to miss this one no matter what.

I also very nearly missed this AAG because of (again!) issues with the distribution of my media pass. I am also very aware that I was the only photographer there attached to a country (I don't mean the Sport Action guys who were there to shoot commercially).

So, to be very honest, I didn't know what to expect, and my initial impressions were that it would be like SEA Age Groups, but just bigger. And of course, it was bigger than I expected.

As soon as I saw China and Japan in the list, I knew that it would be a tough one for us. We may do OK in SEA Age Groups, but when you get an Asian superpower in there coupled with the Land of the Rising Sun, things change significantly.

I remember thinking that we (Malaysia) would be lucky if we got qualified to Finals, let alone get a medal. But of course, after 5 days, a 100m free National Record coupled with a medal from Nadia Lim, 2x Bronzes from Cheng Feng and 1x Silver and 2x Bronzes from Koo Shyann, this reshaped the way that I see our Group B and C swimmers.

I walked into the SAT Swimming Pool into familiar grounds. It was the same pool which was used for the SEA Games last year, so I immediately claimed my vantage point near the middle of the pool. Incidentally, the Malaysia team were also stationed there, so it was nice to help myself to the bananas and water bottles which were very helpfully supplied by team management.

This actually felt more exciting than World Champs last year if I am to be extremely honest. The atmosphere as well as the fact that I personally knew some of the athletes; not just from Malaysia but from other Southeast Asian countries (Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Mongolia etc) based on encounters over the past 3-4 years.

Some of these guys were only 13 years old when I met them and now they're about to age out into adulthood. Orca, Skye, Dhuha – you know who you are, and there are so many more that I will sadly not be able to see in the next AAG wherever it is going to be held.

It has been a pleasure covering this meet. At least for the Southeast Asians, I hope to see you at the SEA Age Groups in Kuala Lumpur this December. As for everyone else in Asia, I'll see you when I see you!