Lim Ching Hwang
Ching Hwang Lim (born 6 March 1996) is a sportsperson currently representing Singapore, who formerly represented Malaysia, in swimming. He was born in Selangor, Malaysia. He committed to Ohio State University[1] and holds a Malaysian record in swimming which was set in July 2016.[2][3][4]
Personal life and family
Lim Ching Hwang was born and raised in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. He is one of two siblings and is of Overseas Chinese descent. Lim's early years of education were spent at a local primary school, SJK(C) Lick Hung.
Career and records
Lim achieved Malaysia's first-ever gold medal at the 2013 Asian Youth Games in the 200m freestyle event with a time of 1:50.81.[5]
Event | Time | Venue | Date | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
100m freestyle | 50.77s | SUKMA 2016 | 24 July 2021 | National Record [6] |
200m individual medley | 2:04.77 | SUKMA 2016 | 24 July 2021 | National Record [7] |
Controversy
On 9 February 2021, Lim Ching Hwang was given eight weeks in jail for defaulting on Singaporean National Service (NS).[8] Lim was given Singapore permanent residency status under the Foreign Sports Talent Scheme in March 2014, at the age of 18, and became subject to the requirements of the Enlistment Act. He received a registration notice in May 2014 asking him to register for NS.
However, he had pursued university studies in the United States from September 2014 onwards. Lim registered for NS in May 2014 and applied for deferment and left the country in July 2014. He returned to Singapore in June 2018 after completing his studies and enlisted in NS in April 2019 and completed it in February 2021.
Lim said he is "deeply regretful" of the actions he committed "as a boy", adding that he has "come back to face the consequences as a man".
References
- "Ching Hwang Lim Bio :: The Ohio State University official athletic site". www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
- "Ching Hwang Lim - Olympic Swimming". International Olympic Committee. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
- "Ching Hwang Lim - Player Profile - Swimming". Eurosport UK. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
- "The proof's in the pudding as Ching Hwang breaks national record - The Star Online". Retrieved 21 October 2016.
- "Other Sport: Ching Hwang bags first-ever gold in swimming at Youth Games | The Star".
- "Lim breaks own national 200m individual medley record | Sports | Malay Mail".
- "Lim breaks own national 200m individual medley record | Sports | Malay Mail".
- "Former Malaysian national swimmer gets jail for defaulting on NS obligations in Singapore". www.channelnewsasia.com. Retrieved 9 February 2021.