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Cancer-stricken coach Zhu rewarded for her dedication

SINGAPORE — Four days after collecting the biggest accolade of her coaching career at the Singapore Sports Awards, gymnastics coach Zhu ­Xiaoping will check into the Singapore General Hospital to continue her battle with Stage 4 colon cancer.

Rhythmic gymnastics coach Zhu Xiaoping, who is recognised for her selfless dedication to help her athletes prepare for the 28th SEA Games despite a battle with stage 4 cancer, seen having a talk with Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Tan Chuan-Jin during his visit on June 17, 2016. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

Rhythmic gymnastics coach Zhu Xiaoping, who is recognised for her selfless dedication to help her athletes prepare for the 28th SEA Games despite a battle with stage 4 cancer, seen having a talk with Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Tan Chuan-Jin during his visit on June 17, 2016. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

SINGAPORE — Four days after collecting the biggest accolade of her coaching career at the Singapore Sports Awards, gymnastics coach Zhu ­Xiaoping will check into the Singapore General Hospital to continue her battle with Stage 4 colon cancer.

It is a fight that Zhu may not win, with the cancer spreading to her ­liver and lymph nodes, causing her to suffer a relapse recently.

But the feisty 56-year-old intends to plough on, banking on the grit and determination that got her through last year’s SEA Games, as she braved illness and pain to lead the national rhythmic gymnastics team to a first-ever gold medal in the group all-around event — a first for Singapore rhythmic gymnastics.

A few months before the Games last June, Zhu’s colleague in the ­national team resigned abruptly, leaving the team without a coach. Despite undergoing treatment for her cancer, which left her weak and fatigued, Zhu agreed to step in and help the team of Dawne Chua, ­Noelle Goh, Edlyn Ho, Ann Sim and Alison Tang prepare for their team and ­individual events.

“I don’t know how I found the strength,” said Zhu in an interview at her home this week. “Because of my illness, I could work only four hours a day and I spent two hours travelling to and from the training venue at Bishan. Sometimes I didn’t even get to drink a sip of water because I was so busy during training and it wasn’t easy for me.”

Zhu was first diagnosed with ­colon cancer in 2013 after suffering severe stomach pains during an overseas work trip, and she underwent three surgeries on her colon and liver in 2013 and 2014.

She was still recovering from her illness when the association ­approached her for help, and she said: “Most people would not have dared to take the job, but I saw that the association had difficulty in finding someone, so I took it on.”

Zhu also had to help motivate the gymnasts, as they faced uncertainty over the group all-around event due to insufficient entries from the other South-east Asian nations.

“Coach Zhu comforted us and ­encouraged us to focus on training and to aim beyond the SEA Games,” said Ann Sim. “She has a very strong will and sense of responsibility.”

The Jiangxi native, who is a Singa­porean citizen, was rewarded for her efforts as the women’s team won the group all-around gold. Her grit, dedication and professionalism will see Zhu receiving the Special Award for Fortitude from the Singa­pore National Olympic Council (SNOC) at next week’s Singapore Sports Awards, to be held at the Raffles City Convention Centre.

SNOC president Tan Chuan-Jin visited Zhu at her home in Fernvale on Friday (June 17), and he said: “In the pursuit of sports excellence, it is ­often our athletes and not the people ­behind the scenes in the limelight.

“Coach Zhu Xiaoping put her athletes and Singapore Gymnastics’ ­interests above her own health and served selflessly to help them prepare for the 28th SEA Games. Her dedication to sport is admirable.”

Zhu had rescheduled her chemotherapy treatment in order to ­attend the awards, and she said: “I am very happy to get this award, and I am humbled and moved by this recognition. I hope this brings more attention to the work coaches do, and it inspires them.”

The Singapore Sports Awards on June 23 will recognise and honour individuals and teams for their sporting achievements across 11 categories, with Zhu and marathoner Ashley Liew to receive Special Awards for Fortitude and Sportsmanship, respectively.

“It is very humbling to receive this honour, especially considering it is only the fourth time these special awards have been given,” said Liew.

“Be it a race, examination or any test of mental and physical ability, I do not go in with any expectations of rewards. I only seek to do my best, be true to myself, and make the people around me proud.

“At the 2015 SEA Games I merely made a quick judgement call in light of the unfolding situation and never thought much about it. Even until today, I do not think my seemingly small act was a big deal.

“However, I have come to appreciate that a little can sometimes go a long way. To be recognised just for acting out of instinct remains a pleasant surprise.”

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