BRIGHT KIDS, Star Special, Tuesday 7 April 2015

Staying focused
For students pursuing their passion outside of their academic studies, it can be challenging to achieve their peak form while fulfilling their responsibilities as a student.
One such student is Sean Goh, eight grader and 2014 sport scholar. The 14-year-old has swimming practice six times a week for an average of two hours each session.
Despite his vigourous training he still finds time to complete his coursework.
Although Goh has to miss classes during competition season, his teachers remain understanding of his training and clearly communicate their expectations for his coursework. Goh completes his coursework through the school’s online course management software.
The support from the school has allowed him to focus on swimming without having to forsake his education.
As such, he recently won three gold medals and a bronze medal in various categories at the Malaysia School Sports Council 2015 competition.
“I am thankful for my teachers at SIS who understood my needs and made necessary adjustments to my coursework deadlines. They taught me how to balance my swimming activities and schoolwork, making it possible to excel at both.’

Date: 15-19 March 2015
Venue: Pusat Akuatik Darul Ehsan, Selangor
Complete Results
New Meet Records

The Malaysia Open 2015 is around the corner and two of DSA Swim Team swimmers, Sean Goh and Yumi Okuzono, have been selected for the Meet. Talking to our young achievers about their reaction on reaching this milestone, here’s what they said…

Sean Goh says he was surprised and happy to be selected, as the Meet has older participants from Malaysia and overseas being the qualifying event for the SEA Games 2015 in Singapore and the World Championship 2015 in Kazan. Sean says his next aim and goal is to represent Malaysia, while he is also open to considering a professional career as a swimmer, should the opportunity arise.

Yumi was just as surprised and happy too, and she also understands it involves older swimmers competing, but she will give it her best. For Yumi, the next milestone she is looking at is the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, which she hopes she will be able to participate.

Breast stroke became the natural event for Sean as he has been always doing that style, with his first moment of success being qualifying into the NAG in 2013. Having started competitive swimming only in September 2011, he did not expect to compete at state level in the short time of about a year and a half. For Yumi, her most cherished success was at the 2013 Japan Junior Olympics, where she competed for butterfly, breaststroke and individual medley events and butterfly is her best event.

Sean acknowledges a lot of his success to DSA coaches for their encouragement to never give up, developing his stroke and the many tips and strategies during competitions. As he goes on to compete in more state and national meets, he hopes that he would get the appropriate training by DSA coaches to reach greater heights. Yumi is also very thankful to the encouragement and training provided in DSA and looks to DSA coaches to help her improve her techniques and also develop her leadership qualities.

We wish you all the best Sean and Yumi; we are sure there’s a lot of laurels awaiting you both!