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‘Distracted’ Saiyidah disappointed with 5th spot

SINGAPORE — If national rower Saiyidah Aisyah Rafa’ee goes on to have a successful outing at this year’s South-east Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore, she could look back and say the disappointing outing yesterday turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Singapore’s Saiyidah Aisyah Rafa’ee at the 2013 World Rowing Championships in Chungju, South Korea. Saiyidah leaves for Australia on Sunday to resume her training, and plans to return 10 days before the SEA Games start on June 5. Photo: Getty Images

Singapore’s Saiyidah Aisyah Rafa’ee at the 2013 World Rowing Championships in Chungju, South Korea. Saiyidah leaves for Australia on Sunday to resume her training, and plans to return 10 days before the SEA Games start on June 5. Photo: Getty Images

SINGAPORE — If national rower Saiyidah Aisyah Rafa’ee goes on to have a successful outing at this year’s South-east Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore, she could look back and say the disappointing outing yesterday turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

The Singaporean finished fifth in the 500m lightweight singles sculls on the second day of the Asian Cup Rowing Championships at the Marina Reservoir, with a time of 2min 09.938sec.

The event was won by Indonesia’s Magdalena Maryam in 2:04.081, with Phuttharaksa of Thailand second (2:04.448).

Even though she specialises in the longer 1,000m and 2,000m version of the event, Saiyidah was visibly disappointed at the manner of her performance yesterday, particularly as she had won the repechage on Wednesday to reach the final.

But a quick jog — with headphones plugged in — and pep talk from her coach Alan Bennett helped the 26-year-old restore perspective.

“It was like (last year’s) Asian Games all over (again). I was distracted by my competitor’s boat,” Saiyidah told TODAY.

“The heats for the final made me feel fit and fast, so it gave me hope that I could win,” she said. “Having talked to my coach, he made me understand that since we haven’t trained for this, it was hard. I’m no longer disappointed after he knocked some sense into me.”

Saiyidah, who has qualified for the SEA Games in the 500m and 1,000m lightweight singles sculls, believes competing in the 500m final yesterday gave her valuable insight into the key areas she needs to work on if she is to taste success on home soil in June.

“This is (only) my second 500m race and it is really short and quick. I can’t afford to make any mistakes and I just have to go hard from the start till the end,” she said. “It is good to have this race because it gives me an idea of what 500m feels like.

“My strategy was to lead from the start. I was pushing but they were leading and that got me worried. But I shouldn’t have been worried about that because I know that I still have 250m to go, but I guess you learn something from every race.”

Bennett added: “There were no specific preparations as she has been racing 2,000m. The focus for her now will start for the last phase of SEA Games preparation.”

Saiyidah leaves for Australia on Sunday to resume her training, and plans to return 10 days before the SEA Games start on June 5.

The 2,000m lightweight singles sculls, which is her pet event, will not be featured at the 2015 SEA Games. It means Singapore’s top female rower will have to get used to the shorter distances quickly.

Her aim of achieving SEA Games glory on home soil could be made tougher with the likes of Indonesia’s Maryam — who had to settle for silver in the 2,000m lightweight singles sculls at the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar — set to compete at the SEA Games again.

“Most of the competitors are my SEA Games rivals and whom I have beaten before,” said Saiyidah. “They are very aggressive from the start of the race and they have been training for the shorter sprints.

“Unlike the 2,000m, where I have to maintain my speed throughout, now I have to switch to being fast at the start.”

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