Sukma XXI: Miri swimmer Hector Ho balances training and SPM to win bronze

MIRI (Aug 22): Hector Ho Rze Jung, who clinched the bronze medal in the men’s 50m breaststroke event at the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) yesterday, said his journey has been far from easy.

Faced with the dual challenges of intense training and academic pressure, he admits that there were times when he felt like giving up.

“Training was really tough, especially earlier this year when I had to balance it with preparing for my SPM exams. The pressure was immense,” the Miri swimmer shared in a statement today.

Reflecting on his training experience, Ho said many people had suggested he change coaches to achieve a breakthrough, but he remained steadfast in his belief in his current team.

“Many tried to persuade me to change coaches, but I stayed firm. I believe that training with a well-structured team is the key to success,” he said.

Ho expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his personal coach, Ling Teck Leong, and the fitness team for their unwavering support over the years, which helped him overcome numerous challenges and eventually reach the podium.

He added that the bronze medal is not only a testament to his hard work but also the best reward for the dedication of his entire team.

After the competition, his Sukma coach, Raymond Ting Chee Hee, expressed immense pride in his protégé, noting that the bronze medal is a result of Ho’s dedication and perseverance over the years.

“This bronze medal not only affirms his individual abilities but also stands as the best proof of his continuous self-improvement during training,” said Ting.

As Ho’s long-time coach, Ting has witnessed the young swimmer’s commitment and growth.

He emphasized that Ho’s self-discipline and hard work during training, along with his positive attitude in the face of challenges, were key factors in reaching the podium.

Ting also credited the team’s support for this achievement, noting that everyone from support staff to family and teammates provided crucial encouragement and motivation.

“This is just the beginning and I am confident that Ho will achieve even greater heights in the future.

“The team remains committed to helping him pursue higher goals,” he said.

However, Ting also highlighted challenges faced by the swimming programme in Miri, especially in developing young talent.

He said while the team has made progress in nurturing new talent, there are still hurdles to overcome, particularly in the development of female swimmers.

“Lack of a covered pool is a major obstacle, as prolonged exposure to the sun discourages female athletes from participating.

“We hope to attract more people, especially women, to take up swimming, but the current lack of proper facilities is limiting female participation,” he said.

Ting urged more young people, especially women, to join the swimming community to build a stronger foundation for the future.

He also revealed that Miri’s Sailfish Swimming Club is actively training potential talents for future sporting events.

He disclosed that promising swimmers such as Chai Koh Jun, Caleb Chin Kha Le, Adison Teo, Einstein Teo, Louis Teo and Huong Yu Chen have shown great potential.

Notably Einstein, who secured two golds and a silver at the Milo Splash National Championships in May, demonstrating impressive skill.

He added that the coaching team is hopeful that these rising stars will make their mark in the next Sukma and bring further success to the club.