After much anticipation, the 31^st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games commences on 12 May 2022.

The region’s premier sporting event was originally scheduled to take place in Hanoi, Vietnam last year but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A contingent of 427 athletes is representing Singapore in 33 sports. Many of them train at various venues across the Singapore Sports Hub, including the shuttlers at OCBC Arena and the men’s beach volleyball players at the Sports Hub Beach Volleyball Courts.

Here to Play reached out to four sportsmen who are making their debut at the SEA Games.

Photo courtesy of Singapore Badminton Association.

WESLEY KOH, 20, BADMINTON PLAYER

“When I first started playing badminton, I always dreamt of representing Singapore. I was eight years old then and chose the sport as my school’s co-curricular activity (CCA). I knew I had to work extremely hard. Today, I am excited to represent my country in a significant game and to be able to fulfil one of my many sporting goals.

I always strive to be better than yesterday, so I give my best and put in maximum effort in my training. I train six days a week over 10 sessions. These include court training, physical training, and strength training and conditioning. To prepare us for the SEA Games, our coaches conducted a centralised training for all athletes one month before the competition. The training intensity was higher during this period to help us achieve maximum efficiency.

Before each competition, while stretching, I will listen to pop, rap or hip-hop music to motivate and pump myself up. I will also prep myself mentally by engaging in positive self-talk and visualising my success.

Perseverance is a key lesson I’ve learnt through playing badminton. When I was younger, I had a trim physique and did not have much physical strength. As a result, I was always the weaker one compared to my peers. Despite this, I continued to train hard and pushed myself to do extra strength training to double my speed. This has taught me to always face new challenges and adversities with a head-on approach. No matter what lies ahead, I will never give up and will always try to cross the hurdles.

If I was not playing badminton competitively, I would probably take up cycling. For leisure, I usually cycle on Sunday, either alone or with friends. I like the feeling of the wind gushing past my face when I ride.”

Photo courtesy of Singapore Badminton Association.

JUNSUKE KUBO, 20, BADMINTON PLAYER

“My mum discovered I had some talent in badminton when we first started playing together. I was seven years old and she encouraged me to take the sport as part of my CCA in primary school.

My most significant achievement is winning the bronze medal at the 2022 Badminton Asia Team Championships, alongside Wesley. I’ve always been serious about playing the sport professionally, and I hope to play at the highest level for as much as possible.

I was exhilarated when I heard that I was making my debut at the 31^st SEA Games. I am incredibly excited to be a part of a strong team representing Singapore. I hope to contribute to winning a medal at the Games.

I enjoy a good shower while listening to some music before every game. I feel refreshed and focused. I’ve learnt that hard work and discipline are vital for any athlete, so I try my best in everything I do.

I may be more diminutive in size than my teammates, but I use my speed and agility to compensate for my shortcoming. It’s also important for an athlete to be resilient and be passionate about his/her sport.

I might have been a table tennis player if I had not chosen badminton as my sport of choice. When I was in Primary 2, I took up two CCAs but gave up table tennis eventually. Many people also might not know this, but I write with my right hand even though I am left-handed.”

Photo courtesy of Singapore Cycling Federation.

RIYADH HAKIM, 24, BIKER

“I loved playing football as a kid. However, I stopped after finding my true love in cycling and started to take the latter seriously when I was 18. I remember taking part in the night-time urban downhill MTB race, Red Bull Dark Knights, at Singapore Sports Hub in 2016. I was placed 12^th out of over 200 riders. It was then that I began to put all my heart and soul into the sport, with the ultimate goal of representing my country in the Olympics.

To pursue my dreams in cycling, I chose to put my physical education career on hold. I was already a trainee physical education teacher. After failing to qualify for the past few SEA Games, I’m elated and highly motivated to participate in the Road Squad (Men) and Mountain Bike (MTB) Cross Country Race in the Hanoi Games. I have been waiting for this opportunity to represent the nation in this prestigious competition for a very long time.

I give my dad credit for my achievement as the first cyclist from Singapore to win the Asian Cross Country Eliminator championships back in 2019. He was the person that got me into mountain biking. He bought me my first mountain bike when I was 14, and we would ride the trails together every weekend.

I have been preparing for the SEA Games for more than six months. It is a significant event and is one of my top priorities this season. I train 18 to 25 hours a week. A typical week comprises two to four days of long-endurance riding, and another two to three days of hard interval sessions on the bike. I also hit the gym in the afternoons.

I try my best to keep the pre-race preparation as perfect as possible. I will ensure all my equipment is in order and warm up as best as possible according to the weather condition. I will also say my prayers as I toe the starting line.

In life, not every day will be good, but we must learn to accept that and strive to be the very best at what we do. I’ve learnt the importance of consistency and hard work through biking. By being persistent and diligent, you will always make sure you’re doing the right thing at the right time. If you give 110% in everything you do, it will not be difficult to find success.”

Photo courtesy of KW Seah.

NICOLAS LAW, 20, BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYER

“I couldn’t believe it when I was selected to participate in the SEA Games, as I was the youngest and most inexperienced member in the team. I’ve been playing volleyball for the past four years, but I’m still considered a rookie player. It’s an honour to be given the opportunity and I hope to make the best of it — not just for myself but also for the volleyball community in Singapore.

I am thankful to my alma mater Nanyang Junior College. I first started playing indoor volleyball there, and the school helped me overcome challenges such as balancing my studies and sport. As a result, I did well enough to make it to university and compete for Singapore.

Playing volleyball has instilled self-discipline in me. This was something that had been lacking throughout my schooling years, as well as in my attitude towards life. After joining the national beach volleyball team, I had to wake up at 6 am every day to train, and I almost wanted to give up. It was a very shaky start, but I got used to it over time. I’m glad I persisted and focused on the long-term goal. Self-discipline has also helped me to meet the physical and mental demands of National Service, which I am currently serving.

Before a competition, I love to listen to songs by the Foo Fighters. Their music excites me and sets me in the right mood to perform my best.

The Singapore Sports Hub has been my training ground throughout my national volleyball career. Apart from memories of training there, it reminds me of the personal changes I have made to my life. I am proud of who I am today and am eager to see what I will become in the future.”