Page 2 - DSA-Newsletter-2017-Jan
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Interview with Welson Sim, Malaysian NationdaswlimSawcadiemmymsdnebrhd (dsa)
The training focus should extend to developing mental strength...
stages, and had been through more of perform. As a child competing, he says would be the 2018 Asian Games, where
less the same rigours of training with total he never felt any pressure to win and he looks at winning 4 medals. Then are
commitment to their sport. probably that allowed him to excel. the bigger arenas of 2018 Commonwealth
Sim feels that what swim parents today games and of course the 2020 Tokyo
Swimming starts at a young age fail to realize is that children need and Olympics. Sim would be facing off with
and progresses naturally expect moral support from parents and another champion from Singapore,
not to set undue expectation on them. Joseph Schooling, who has been making
Looking back, Sim recalls learning to He emphasizes that parents need to waves in Asian swimming recently.
swim and starting off swimming classes trust the coach and the coach will know
at the age of 10 years though he had what’s best for the swimmer. Just as the 90% Mental toughness, 10%
been exposed to water as young as 7 backbone protects the body’s vitals and physical training
years when he enjoyed playing in the helps in making the body stand upright,
water. Displaying a perhaps natural- the coach ‘has the back’ of the swimmer Sim says that one of the important
born skill, Sim was remarkable in that while helping him/her attain their aspects of a becoming a champion is
he started swimming competitively potential. the ability to control your mind and
just a year later at the age of 11 years, your mental toughness. When you are
taking part in the then President Cup The best is yet to come… in preparation mode, your focus is on
in Sarawak. Sim was a not much of a the physical ability and about 10% on
planner and took one Meet and one race Sim is just at the beginning of a stellar mental strength, whereas at a Meet, only
at time, looking to do his best at each path of achievements and the next step about 10% is on your physical ability
Meet and move on to the next higher is the 2017 SEA Games, to be held in KL, as your training will automatically take
level. The incentives and sponsorship that Malaysia. Sim says he aims for 3 Gold over. The focus becomes more on mental
came with the Meet titles proved enough at the Games, for the 200m 400m and toughness and that is where champions
motivation to propel Sim to higher goals. 1500m freestyle events. Following this are made, to overcome the tremendous
Winning was the means to an end, the pressure of performing at international
end which promised a better future for levels. Sim says, for young upcoming
Sim, and his constant commitment in champions, the training focus should
training meant that he has very little time extend to developing mental strength also
for the usual thrills of growing up. As an through the teaching of adequate sports
athlete in any sport, sacrifices have to be psychology and similar sciences.
made to achieve anything big.
Always wake up smiling…
Moral support and trust paves
the way to success Lastly, Sim’s message for young
swimmers is to stay strong and never
For Sim, his greatest mentor and support give up along the way, to achieve your
has been his mother, who right from goals. As students, swimmers should also
taking him for his first swimming lessons, try to balance studies and sports so that
has been behind him every step of you can be in the best possible position
the way. She has made unsurpassed for your future. Champions are not made
sacrifices ensuring that Sim always got in a day, there will tough days and there
the support he needed. Sim feels that will be better days, but remember to
unlike today, parents were not much always wake up smiling.
aware of the methods of training and
never put pressure on their children to
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