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Netballer turns sailor in bid to realise Olympic dream

SINGAPORE — Before last month, Olivia Chen had never sailed a boat in her life. But come January, she will do so full time in a bid to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Griselda Khng (left) found her new partner, Olivia Chen, through a friend and both recently trained together for the first time in Perth. Photo: Paean Ng

Griselda Khng (left) found her new partner, Olivia Chen, through a friend and both recently trained together for the first time in Perth. Photo: Paean Ng

SINGAPORE — Before last month, Olivia Chen had never sailed a boat in her life. But come January, she will do so full time in a bid to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Chen’s hands are more at home slinging netballs, having played the sport since eight and represented Singapore at Under-21 level at the Asian and World championships.

But two months ago, the 21-year-old took a leap of faith, and switched sports so as to realise her dream of competing at the Olympics.

Sailor Griselda Khng, who competed in Rio with Sara Tan in the 49er FX class, was looking for a new partner after Tan, a Singapore Management University undergrad, decided to stop and go back to her studies.

Looking for a new crew who was taller and heavier than herself (1.55m, 55kg), Griselda found Chen (1.76m, 73kg) through a friend who plays netball. It was just the opportunity Chen was seeking — even if it means committing her next four years to a completely new sport.

“I watched the 2004 Olympics when I was nine, and that really inspired me because every athlete was performing at their highest level and competing their hearts out,” she told TODAY.

“But later, when I got into the Singapore Sports School, I found that netball is not an Olympic sport ... So when this opportunity came it really made me think back to the dream I had given up on.”

Khng recalled: “I spoke to Olivia the same week Sara told me (about her decision). I was trying to find someone athletic, who had competed at a high level ... and willing to do whatever it takes to get there, like me.”

Chen, an aviation management and services diploma holder, has quit her job at a logistics company, and will put on hold her plans to enrol in university next year.

“I will be 25 when I finish my degree. To start sailing then would be really too late,” she explained.

“I don’t want to waste time thinking about whether it’s too risky or how it will affect my future — I just want to chase my dream.”

Her parents were “shocked” by her decision, but Chen has since convinced them to get on board. “She had to talk to us a couple of times, actually,” said her father, Chen Qiu Yong, 67. “I will do my best (to support her) and I hope she will make it!”

Chen returned yesterday from a week-long trip to Perth, where she trained with Khng for the first time. She had learnt the basics from Khng’s friend in Singapore before flying over. The learning curve has been very steep for Chen, but she says her partner, who has sailed the class since 2013, is a “great” coach.

“When I do something wrong, she will shout at me; when I do something right, she will compliment me,” she chuckled. “It’s a really good approach because I’m someone who needs a push when it’s needed.”

Khng, who has sailed for 14 years, acknowledged “shortcomings” in Chen, but has been impressed by her “super committed” partner. “She’s very motivated to keep working hard for herself and the team,” she said.

The duo plan to train full time in Perth from January to March, then in Europe from April to June with Italian coach Luca Modena.

Singapore Sailing’s head of high performance, Chua Tan Ching, told TODAY that examples like Chen are rare, but “not unheard” of.

“I have not seen Olivia sail, so I can’t fathom a guess at all,” he said of their Olympic chances. “This is a double-handed class, meaning both must put in their fair share of work (to succeed). Basically they need to go and race ... it will be more definitive (to assess) if we look at the results.”

Khng added they are currently focusing on training hard, instead of worrying about qualification. Meanwhile, she has enjoyed spending time with Chen, whom she knew only as an acquaintance before this.

Asked whether they are best friends now, she laughed: “No, but we are getting there very soon!”

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