KUALA LUMPUR – In a world where safety concerns drove her parents to enrol their children in swimming classes, little did they know they were setting the stage for Ng Wen May’s remarkable journey into triathlon.
What began as a precautionary measure against drowning incidents soon unfolded into a narrative of determination, skill, and national representation.
Wen May reminisced about her humble beginnings, where a swimming club became her training ground and the catalyst for her aquatic prowess.
“When my parents sent me and my siblings to swim classes, it was more of a safety precaution than wanting us to compete.
“My parents were introduced to a swimming club called Sting Ray Swimming Club in Kelana Jaya,” she told Scoop.
Initially identified for her aptitude in long-distance swimming, she swiftly rose through the ranks, representing Selangor from a tender age.
“After going to classes for a while, the coach there suggested that I become a long-distance swimmer because of my smaller stature, where I can glide through the water easily.
“From there, I got picked to swim for Selangor from 13 to 17 years old,” said Wen May, adding that she was 10 when she went for her first swimming class.
However, it was a serendipitous suggestion from a friend to try dipping her toes in the multi-faceted sport of triathlon – the unfamiliar terrains that involve swimming, cycling and running.
“My friend, Ryan Tan, who represented Malaysia at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, recommended I try a triathlon.
“He said I would do well due to my long-distance swimming and there were not many women competing in triathlon for Malaysia,” said the second of four children.
With the guidance of Team M3X and unwavering determination, the 22-year-old defied the odds, mastering the triathlon discipline.
Admitting to her initial unfamiliarity with cycling and running, she found her footing with the support of a dedicated triathlon club, honing her skills on terra firma.
“People say swimmers don’t like to run because it is totally different but luckily I joined Team M3X, based in Putrajaya.
“There, my coaches pushed me to improve on my cycling and running. Their encouragement helped a lot in improving the other aspects of the sport,” said the second-year medical student at University Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Wen May added that balancing the rigours of athletic pursuits with academic commitments is tough.
She realised the challenges posed by university life, yet she remained steadfast and resumed training to reclaim her peak performance.
“I haven’t really been training much after entering university, but now I’m more settled in my studies so I am back training again to get back to my peak.
“I start training at 5.30am, usually I’ll go for a run. After I’m done, I get ready to go to school for the rest of the day. Then in the evening, around 8pm, I’ll get on my bike and work on my cycling,” she said.
Having represented the country at the Cambodia SEA Games last year, the Subang Jaya-born lass has set her sights on the Thailand SEA Games next year.
She welcomes competition from emerging talents as she advocates for meritocracy in national representation.
“Going for my second SEA Games is definitely my aim. But there are a lot of juniors coming up.
“So I don’t only hope for myself but for other female triathletes to compete with me and show what they can do.
“If they beat me, I want them to represent the country. I just want the best to represent Malaysia,” said Wen May.
In two weeks, she will compete at the Asia Triathlon Cup Putrajaya where she will be looking to add a triathlon national title to the duathlon she won last year.
There, she aims to surpass her personal best amid fierce competition at the race held at the Putrajaya Watersports Complex on February 25.
“Previously, my best time in the sprint format was 1 hour and 8 minutes and I would like to hit that again,” she said. – February 10, 2024
