Our exclusive interview with the national swimmer as he prepares for the regional sporting event
The Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will finally return next Thursday after its original schedule last year was pushed back due to pandemic restrictions. The 31st edition of the biennial games will be held between May 12 and 23 in Hanoi, Vietnam. During the six-month delay, athletes from all around the region—including Malaysia's 584 competitors—have been diligently training for their respective sports.
Among them is national swimmer Welson Sim. The 25-year-old athlete, who recently made his second appearance at the 2020 Olympics, takes some time out of his busy training schedule to talk about what he has learned in Tokyo, how he has been preparing for his upcoming competitions, and what he hopes to achieve at the SEA Games.
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What has it been like training for the SEA Games?
It has been a tough journey as things have been switching up lately. After Tokyo, I personally felt that I was slightly out of shape. I rejoined my previous coach to get back on track with my physique and performance. Fortunately, things have been on the right track since then, especially as restrictions are lifted and I can mostly resume my pre-pandemic training routine, besides basic SOPs and face masks.
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How are you keeping yourself motivated for the upcoming Games?
Under Armour’s brand message, 'The Only Way is Through', has been my motivation. The pursuit of getting better in my sport is a constant challenge, from the daily grind of training to the pressure from the fans and trials of life outside the water. This motto makes sure that I stay focused on becoming better at what I do day by day and stay on the right path, so I can come out faster, stronger, and better on the other side.