Malaysian Olympian Steve Khiew Targets Personal Best, Top 16 at World Aquatics Championship
Malaysian Olympian Steve Khiew is ready to carry the country’s hopes into the pool at the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Singapore 2025, with his sights firmly set on achieving personal bests and breaking into the top 16 in the 200-metre and 400-metre freestyle events, scheduled for 27 July.
“Being selected to represent Malaysia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore is an incredible honor,” said Khiew. “At this stage of my career, it represents more than just a competition. It’s a culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and belief.”
Khiew’s preparations for Singapore are riding a strong wave of momentum. He recently shattered the Malaysian 400-metre freestyle national record with a time of 3:47.38 and secured silver at the FISU World University Games Rhine-Ruhr 2025, alongside a bronze medal at the Mare Nostrum 200-metre freestyle. These performances, he says, have only sharpened his motivation to deliver his best on the world stage.
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“Winning bronze at the Mare Nostrum 2025 was a huge confidence boost for me. It showed that I can hold my own against some of the best in the world and that my training is on the right track.”
While medals aren’t his immediate target, Khiew is focused on delivering a career-best showing. “My specific performance targets are to hit new personal bests and break into the top 16 internationally. I’ve been putting in the work to improve my race strategy since the Olympic Games last year, and this is the stage to put it all together.”
With weeks of race-specific training behind him, Khiew has been refining the small but critical details. “Where every fraction of a second counts, I’ve been sharpening the details that make all the difference. Turns is an area I’ve been relentlessly working on, making them faster, cleaner, and more efficient to carry speed into the next length.”
Equally, his mental game has evolved. “Mentally, I’ve been working on staying present and composed under pressure. I’ve learned to block out distractions and trust my process. Competing at this level requires not just physical strength but mental clarity.”
As he prepares to depart for Singapore, Khiew’s focus remains not just on personal milestones, but on representing Malaysia with pride. “I just want to say thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey, my coaches, teammates, family, and supporters back home in Malaysia. Your belief in me means everything.”
“I’m not just swimming for myself. I’m swimming for everyone who’s helped me get here and for the next generation of Malaysian swimmers who dare to dream big.”
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Joining Steve Khiew at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore 2025 on 27 July are fellow national teammates: two-time Olympian Phee Jinq En and SEA Games medallists Jayden Tan Khai Xin and Andrew Goh, all of whom were present at a recent courtesy meeting at the Malaysia Aquatics office ahead of the championship.
