The Chinese Swimming Club (CSC) Super Junior Swimming Invitational may only be two years old but it has grown into a beneficial competition for some of the region's brightest prospects.

It certainly helped Reagan Cheng perform. The Primary 3 pupil from Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) excelled in last year's inaugural edition (open to kids 12 and under), winning gold in nine individual and two relay events.

The nine-year-old carried his impressive form into the Singapore National Age-Group Swimming (Snag) Championships (Juniors) in March.

There, he broke three meet records (200m freestyle, 200m individual medley and 100m backstroke) on his way to being named the Most Valuable Swimmer in the boys' competition.

Reagan said: "The CSC Invitational gave me confidence and competitive experience. I aim to get 10 golds and to break more records at this year's event.

"It helps me get more experience because I can compete against swimmers from Singapore and other countries."

His CSC club-mates Gabriel Low and Ricole Ong, who broke the boys' 50m free and girls' 200m breaststroke Snag records respectively, will also be competing at the Aug 5-6 CSC meet.

Last year's CSC event drew 430 participants from 18 local and seven overseas clubs. Organisers are targeting 500 swimmers for the latest edition.

CSC swimming manager Aloysius Yeo said: "There aren't a lot of long-course meets for kids below 12 years old in the second half of the year.

"If you don't have a meet for the swimmers to aim for in the second half of the year, it's very hard to motivate them to continue training hard."

This year's 40-race event at its Amber Road premises will also have a special guest. Olympic champion Joseph Schooling will attend on both days as its official ambassador.