The achievement is extraordinary because it was made only after 18 years since Akkiko Thomson from the Philippines made the last record in the 1993 SEA Games.
"At first I did not believe in what I had made in the final but after looking at the sign board would I then believe that a new SEA Games record had been broken," she said.
She said she did not have any feeling before that she would break the record. She said she thought was she would strive at best to win a medal.
"The coach only targeted a silver medal for me because of the time achieved by my rival, Tao Li, from Singapore, which was very good," she said.
With training and maximal efforts in the final she finally was able not only to win her first gold medal but also break a new record.
"It is all for the best interest for the country in the current SEA Games," she said.
The new record has made her to be motivated to continue to improve her achievement.
Because of the achievement she made in the national championship four years ago she was called by the All Indonesia Swimming Association (PRSI) to be prepared for the 2009 SEA Games in Laos but because she was ill then she failed to be selected to join the Indonesian team to the event two years ago.
So, this was the first of her participation in the SEA Games. "The is the first of my participation in the SEA Games and I could win a gold medal and break a new record, which was the best that I could give to the country," the 16-year old swimmer said.
The daughter of Yohannes and Sumarni was born on August 27, 1994.
Yessy is also fielded in the 5,000 meter and 10,000 meter in the outdoor swimming open championship of the SEA Games this time.
The backstroke specialist is now increasing concentration to meet other international events. "I will not stop at this achievement but will continue to improve it. Thanks for all the swimming board members and especially to Pak (Mr) Nizaruddin who has trained her from the beginning in Bandung (West Kava)," she said.
(T.N009/H-YH/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
