By Lim Pow Hong

Mok Ying Ren debunks the myth of brawny but brainless jocks.

Not only was he a SEA Games triathlon gold medallist in 2007, but he is also a third-year medical student at the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

In an Olympic triathlon, a triathlete has to swim 1,500m, cycle 40km and run 10km. Ying Ren competes in 15 races a year.

The 20-year-old also encourages young people to pursue sports. He was the ambassador for the inaugural 2009 Milo/MOE Youth TRYathlon that was held in March, where he introduced the triathlon to young people by sharing his experience as a triathlete.

His experience has inspired 15-year-old triathlete James Ng from Chung Cheng High (Yishun), who started competing at the age of six.

The Secondary 3 student said: 'I've always looked up to him (Ying Ren) as my role model. He is successful in every aspect of his life and that is what I hope to achieve someday too.'

IN brings you up close and personal with this talented sportsman.

IN: When did you start competing in triathlons?

Ying Ren: I started when I was in Year 1 in Raffles Junior College.

IN: why did you choose to be a triathlete?

Ying Ren: I was a swimmer in primary school and I was getting bored swimming up and down the pool, looking at the black line in the middle of the lane.

I found joy running especially in areas like MacRitchie Reservoir. Thus I decided to do some biathlons first, then I progressively stepped up to the triathlon.

IN: Was it challenging when you first started training for the triathlon?

Ying Ren: It was challenging as it requires more time management. I had to divide my time between three different sports.

I also had to learn how to handle a racing bike.

But it was also less boring as there are three sports to break the monotony.

IN: What is your training schedule like?

Ying Ren: It's very dynamic. I train about 10 sessions a week. Each session ranges from 30 minutes to three hours.

I usually do long runs up to 25km, cycle up to 100km, and swim up to 5km in a session.

IN: What is the most challenging aspect of training for you?

Ying Ren: Training on my own. It is challenging to run long distances by myself, day in, day out.

However, I am fortunate to have friends who also compete and are willing to pace me during harder workouts and some long runs.

IN: What do you enjoy most about competing in triathlons?

Ying Ren: Travelling overseas to meet other triathletes. We are a close-knit community as we always see the same faces at competitions.

IN: How do you juggle studies and competitive training?

Ying Ren: I have to sacrifice some time with family and friends. I plan my time properly and study whenever I can.

It is especially challenging during my clinical postings as I have to be in the hospital from 8am to 5pm.

IN: What targets have you set for yourself?

Ying Ren: I want to qualify for the 5,000m and 10,000m track events in this year's SEA Games.

I also aim to run the 5,000m in 15 minutes flat.

IN: In what ways have you worked with youths?

Ying Ren: I try to increase the awareness of triathlon by giving talks at school assemblies or sports camps organised by Singapore Sports Council. So far, I have given five to six talks.

IN: How do you relax?

Ying Ren: I think training is my form of relaxation.

IN: Any particular sporting hero? Why?

Ying Ren: Roger Bannister. He was able to break the world mile record when he was in medical school, ahead of many professionals who were training full-time.

IN: How long do you intend to compete? What are your future plans?

Ying Ren: I would like to compete for as long as I can. I want to try to qualify for the Ironman in Hawaii. That will require me to swim 3.6km, cycle 180km and run a full marathon which covers a distance of 42km.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.