Malaysia's Asian Games hopeful

by New Straits Times on 2 Oct 2006 Kevin Lim wants to go out on a high in what could be his last Asian Games.

Having taken a sabbatical from the medical profession for a year, Lim is determined to win the gold medal in the Laser Standard class that has eluded him in the past two editions of the Games.

Lim believes a win in Doha would provide a boost to Malaysian sailing and pave the way for younger sailors to achieve their dreams.

‘Doha could well be my final Asian Games. I hope that our sailors make it into the next Olympic Games (in Beijing in 2008) so that we do not lose recognition and funding from the National Sports Council,’ he added.

‘Maybe in the next two years Malaysian sailors will rise to the challenge of qualifying and competing in the Olympics but this is still not the case in Malaysia.’

Lim, 31, believes Doha is his best shot yet at winning the gold medal after settling for silver twice in the Laser Standard — in Busan (2002) and Bangkok (1998), plus a fourth in Hiroshima (1994). He also placed fourth in his debut Asian Games appearance in Beijing in 1990 in the Optimist class.

'The only reason I am sailing this year is because I believe that I have a good shot at gold in Doha.

'I have the necessary skill, fitness and technical know-how to match any Asian Laser sailor. I am keen to stay one step ahead of my rivals, and I hope to make a jump in my performance before they do.'

Lim believes his main challengers are defending champion Kim Ho Kon from South Korea, Japan’s Yoishi Iijima, Shen Sheng from China and Singaporean Maximilian Soh.

Lim is sailing into form two months ahead of Doha based on his performance at the World Laser Championships in Jeju, South Korea last month, where he finished 53rd of 128 sailors but was the best placed Asian, one spot ahead of Iijima.

His preparations continue as he heads for England where he will gain valuable racing practice in the Sail for Gold Regatta in Weymouth on Oct 13-15.

‘My coach believes that I have good boat speed but that I need more racing practice to learn how to manage the fleet better. The quality of racing in England is very high and it will serve as excellent training for me.’