KUALA LUMPUR – Athletes driven by their passion for sports often excel academically through improved discipline, time management, and a competitive mindset fostered by sports participation.
This correlation is vividly exemplified in the lives of notable athletes like Shaquille O’Neal, widely regarded as one of the greatest American basketball players in NBA history, who earned both an MBA and a doctoral degree in education from Barry University.
Tai Tzu Ying, an Olympic silver medalist from Chinese Taipei, is celebrated not only as one of the world’s top women’s singles badminton players but also for earning a PhD from the University of Taipei’s Graduate Institute of Sports Training at age 27.
She emphasises the importance of education, stating, “Not giving up on your studies increases your knowledge, which also benefits your sports career.”
These athletes demonstrate that sports not only improve physical abilities but also significantly contribute to academic success.
For K. Thevendren, Malaysia’s 20-year-old karate exponent, this relationship between sports and education resonates deeply.
He credits much of his academic success to his immersion in sports.
Currently pursuing a diploma in sports science at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), Thevendren reflects on his journey with gratitude and insight.
“My interest in karate sparked at a young age, driven by my father’s influence. However, my parents also emphasised the importance of studies. Since I began karate, I’ve realised it has not only helped me physically but has also made me more studious, improving my focus and memorisation skills.
“My passion and competitive spirit in sports have translated to my education, where I aim to learn something new and gain knowledge every day through my current course of study.
“Every challenge on the dojo floor has mirrored challenges in my studies, teaching me to push through setbacks and strive for excellence in everything I do.
“I owe a lot to karate. It’s not just a sport, it’s a way of life that has shaped me into the focused and driven individual I am today,” said Thevendren when contacted.
Thevendren also expressed his hopes to contribute more medals for the country in the future, including for the Federal Territories team in the upcoming Malaysian Games (Sukma).
At the recently concluded Asean University Games (AUG), he won the 36th gold medal for the Malaysian contingent in the under 55 kg kumite event by defeating Thailand’s Settaphong Chanphet.
“I only joined the national camp about a year ago, and winning a gold medal in such a short time is indeed a great achievement for me.
“I would like to maintain this momentum and continue winning medals by performing well in tournaments like Sukma, SEA Games, and the Asian Karate Championship scheduled to take place in China this year.
“I would like to thank everyone who has shaped me into who I am today, especially my parents for their unwavering support since day one. Additionally, I extend my gratitude to my seniors and coach R. Sharmendran for their constant guidance since I joined the national camp.
“Sharmendran has taught me a lot of unique techniques and, most importantly, how to handle myself in defeat. The lessons I’ve learned are now greatly benefiting my game,” added Thevendran.
The 21st edition of the AUG concluded on July 6 in Surabaya-Malang, Indonesia, and saw Malaysia finish third in the overall medal standings with 147 medals (38 golds, 47 silvers, and 62 bronzes).
Malaysia is set to host the next edition in 2026. – July 9, 2024
