Phew!!
Its been quite a some time that I have updated my blog. Its like a few months gap between my last post. Its all due to my hectic training and my life seems so monotonous. Nothing so special about it. Everyday is the same routine. Training then rest. Then training again on the following day.
There are some good news in which I would like to share.
First, last 7 of May 2009, first time in my wheel bound life, left the comfort zone of my own country. Left to Australia for the Arafura Games 2009. I took part in the field events of course. Upon arrival, quickly went to the Darwin Airport Inn for the week stay. Later in the morning, left to the stadium to see around as well as to do a little bit of our training then off for lunch.
Darwin is indeed a great place. Laid back, slow paced very relaxing place to be. The weather there was so hot & dry. Nothing like what I have experience in my homeland. I cannot even sweat when the day was so hot. Good experience for me to understand other country's weather.
9 May 2009 was the Arafura Games Opening Ceremony. I was so shocked to see the other countries gather at the holding area. For what I have heard, more than 50 nations took part in this game. Another shocker to me. But then, I calm myself down as this game is a mix event of disabled & the abled. The medal tally is all being calculated by point system (I think).
Sunday, 10 May 2009. It was my first event on the international game. Throwing shots. Eventually I did very well for myself there. Did my personal best of 6.63 meters. I truly shocked myself out when I heard the umpire called out the distance. I was smiling all through the night as I did my personal best.
Monday, 11 May 2009. It was discus throw. Something in which not my forte at all. I'm more aced in shots & javelin. Upon arrival to the stadium, I checked for the results of my shots. To my surprise, I got a silver medal! Yes! A silver! I called upon my coach, my mentor & also my buddy, Adam & his brother. They were so happy for me and I was nervously trembling. I just keep on smiling. First medal on my international game. After the medal presentation, I quickly wheeled off for my discus throw. Did 12.58 meters. I was devastated. My personal best in Singapore is 15.28 meters. I was afraid I was a let down to coach & mentor but they cheer me up by telling that I cannot be the best in everything. I gave them a faint smile.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009. Javelin throw. My favourite event of all. I was already prepared mentally for this event. Upon reaching the stadium, I saw my result. I fumbled. 7th placing. I was so pissed off by the result. I just say to myself that not to let my favourite event down. I did 14.58 meters. I was again shocked. I told myself. I fumbled again. Totally demoralised. Upon I saw Adam won a Gold and Silver medals in his 1500 meters and 800 meters. I was telling myself, I need to work very hard once back in Singapore.
Wednesday, 13 May 2009. Went over to the stadium to see the results for my javelin throw. I was thrilled to hear the results. Another silver medal for me. I was so shocked and this was another unexpected result for me. I was so nervous. Coach and the others congratulated me on my second silver medal. Three silver medallist won this event as it is all by point system. Something new in which I have learn.
Thursday, 14 May 2009. Last day stay over at Darwin. Going to miss this wonderful place. Lovely place. Friendly people. Nice weather. Left Darwin at 7pm and reached Singapore at about 10.30pm. Reached home at about 11pm. Have a quick shower and waited for my brother to bring back supper home. Miss the Singapore food. At last, the taste of a true Asian cuisine.
Arafura Games 2009 left me with such beautiful moments. A gateway for me to know what will my pet event will be like. Well.. Its shots. A great experience and exposure for me. I did learn a lot throughout the whole one week stay there especially in designing my new throwing chair and the throwing techniques.
Now that I'm already back in Singapore, I have to train really hard for ASEAN Para Games in KL in August 2009. Three months left for hard training and throwing chair to be fabricated. Another hectic schedule for me. I guess I shall update my blog by end of August then.
