UCSI athletes gearing up for the 33rd SEA Games in Bangkok. Bottom row (from left): Khiew Tze Yean, Chong Xin Lin, Khiew Hoe Yean, Lim Yin Chuen, Teo Sze Hui. Top row (from left): Julius Abbas Ferdinand Janting, Teo Zun Jet, Lee Ye Tong.

National cyclist Yeong Zhen Yi is set to represent Malaysia in the women’s track and road events at the 33rd SEA Games.

KUALA LUMPUR: Eight UCSI University student-athletes and one staff will don the national colours at the 33rd SEA Games in Bangkok, which begin on Dec 9, representing Malaysia across swimming, water polo, triathlon, softball and cycling.

Among them is 12-time SEA Games medallist, 2024 Paris Olympian and eight-time national record-holding swimmer Khiew Hoe Yean, who is also the defending champion in the 200m freestyle.

“Defending my title is definitely a goal, but my main focus now is doing everything I can in training to arrive in my best form,” said Hoe Yean.

“If I nail the preparation and the details I can control, the results will follow.”

The 23-year-old will compete in five events in total: the 200m and 400m freestyle, along with all three men’s relays (4x100m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle, and 4x100m medley).

Hoe Yean can expect strong competition from Vietnam’s distance ace, who will be looking to uphold the nation’s standing as one of the region’s strongest swimming forces.

For the Khiew family, the Games will double as a reunion. Hoe Yean’s older brother, Khiew Tze Yean, will be captaining Malaysia’s water polo team in what marks his fourth appearance at the SEA Games.

The 25-year-old UCSI alumnus also previously represented the nation in 2019, 2021 and 2023.

Malaysia’s last SEA Games water polo medal came in 2017, when the team won bronze.

Reflecting on this year’s campaign, Tze Yean said, “Every Games is a fresh slate.”

“Matching or surpassing our 2017 finish would mean a great deal to us and to Malaysia. We’ve trained hard, and we’re ready to give it our all.”

Joining the Khiew brothers in the pool are national record-holding swimmers Lim Yin Chuen and Chong Xin Lin, as well as Malaysia water polo internationals Teo Zun Jet and Julius Abbas Ferdinand Janting.

Flying the flag on two wheels is national track and road cyclist Yeong Zhen Yi, who recently ended Malaysia’s 17-year medal drought at the Asian Track Cycling Championships by winning bronze in the women’s elite individual pursuit.

“Women’s cycling in Southeast Asia is still growing, so every race feels personal to me – it’s a chance to show what we can do,” said the 22-year-old who headed to Thailand early for training camp.

“I just want to race bravely for Malaysia and represent UCSI well, one effort at a time.”

Representing the University are also Teo Sze Hui (triathlon) and Lee Ye Tong (softball), each determined to set personal bests and bring glory to the University and the nation.

“These athletes are the pride of UCSI, and I hope they will do very well at the 33rd SEA Games,” remarked UCSI president and vice-chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir.

“Their achievements exemplify the discipline, dedication, and excellence we foster on campus. I know they will do their utmost in Thailand and inspire all Malaysians with their efforts.”

Classified in the world’s top 1% in the QS World University Rankings 2026, UCSI University stands out as one of Asia’s leading private universities.

It is ranked in Asia’s top 30 and eighth in Southeast Asia in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026.