Malaysian sailing dreams for Asian Games

by Lim Teak Hat, The Star Online on 25 Oct 2006 Sailor Kevin Lim will be on a double mission when he makes his fifth appearance in the Asian Games in Doha next month.

The 30-year-old is currently enjoying one of his best years in yachting and he wants to win an Asiad gold medal not just for himself but also to raise the profile of the sport in the country.

Five Asian Games outings will be a record that is difficult to match by other Malaysian athletes but Kevin is more concerned about what he achieves at the end of the day.

'I never really thought of it this way. I guess sailing has been a true passion for me and I don't find it a chore,' said Kevin via e-mail from England, where he is currently based.

'But what I would like to be remembered most of all is as an Asian champion. I can compete in many Asian Games but no one remembers you once you are out of the scene.

'I really want to win a gold medal as this would help encourage more youngsters in our country to take up the sport.'

Also based in England is another sailor for the Asian Games, Mohd Romzi Mohd, who will be competing in the Radial Class.

'It is important that we do well in the Asian Games, as it determines how much of a future the new sailors will perceive they have in the sport,' said Kevin.

The gold medal has narrowly eluded Kevin in two previous Asiads in the Laser Standard category.

Kevin bagged silver in Bangkok (1998) and Busan (2002). The three-time Olympian made his Asiad debut in Beijing in the Optimist event in 1990 before moving to the Laser Standard in Hiroshima four years later and finishing fourth.

Kevin, who is currently on the last lap of his preparations in England, also said that achieving success in Doha would be the best reward for his decision to continue full-time training after his graduation as a doctor last year.

'I knew there was a good chance of me winning in the Asian Games. That is why I stayed around to train in Australia after doing my housemanship,' said Kevin, who is the highest ranked Asian at 34th in the world.

Kevin's confidence also stems from the fact that he was the best Asian finisher in the World Championships in South Korea last month. Kevin finished 53rd in the world meet ahead of his Japanese and South Korean rivals.

Kevin is undecided about whether Doha will be his last outing in the Asian Games.

'In sailing, experience goes a long way and I would love to keep on sailing for a couple of years more.'

On his stint in England, Kevin said that it had been good thus far.

'The good thing is that there is a regatta every weekend. We have lots of good racing practices. The weather has been a little cold but it will put us in good stead when we go to Doha next month,' he said.

He finished 11th out of 53 sailors in the Sail for Gold Regatta which was held in Weymouth in England last week. Britain's current world number one Paul Goodison won the race held at the venue earmarked for the 2012 London Olympics.

'I was fourth out of 67 in another competition earlier. Some minor injuries prevented me from giving 100% but the aim of this trip was to improve from a tactical perspective and I think we are doing just that,' said Kevin.

The last time Malaysia struck Asiad gold in sailing was through Ryan Tan in the Optimist category in Hiroshima in 1994.