No rest for 'hardcore' Jovin

He was on familiar grounds yesterday, contemplating what went on before and looking forward to the biggest event of his sporting life on home soil.

Sailor Jovin Tan and fellow alumnus, swimmer Yip Pin Xiu, were among the Singapore athletes who attended the ASEAN Para Games' 50-day countdown event at their alma mater, Bendemeer Secondary School.

He started his sailing journey when he was 15 years old - the same year he joined the school.

Fourteen years later, he has established himself as one of the country's biggest names in para sports.

Singapore will host the ASEAN Para Games for the first time and the Dec 3-9 event is extra special as it will mark the end of the country's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Tan, who has a new crew in 71-year-old Anthony Teo - former partner Yap Qian Yin wanted to explore the solo route - is aiming for a win in the two-person boat hansa 303 class, and is confident the new combination will work.

"I'm the brains, he's the brawn," he told The New Paper yesterday.

Tan is one of the most experienced athletes in the Singapore contingent.

He has already had two appearances at the Asian Para Games (2006, 2014) and will be looking to his second ASEAN Para Games, after sailing was excluded from the previous edition.

He won a bronze at the 2009 Kuala Lumpur ASEAN Para Games, a gold at the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (now called the Asian Para Games) and a gold at last year's Asian Para Games in Incheon.

He has also flown the Singapore flag at three Paralympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012).

Keep going

The 29-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, is not slowing down anytime soon.

He has had barely a break since Incheon last year, almost immediately going into training as he aimed for big performances this year.

When described as "hardcore", he said: "No choice lah. If you want to be the champion, you must sacrifice."

Admittedly, his priority will be the this year's IFDS Disabled Sailing Combined World Championships in Melbourne, which will end three days before the ASEAN Para Games' sailing events start.

A good finish in Melbourne will secure him a spot at next year's Rio Paralympics.

But he stressed that the ASEAN Para Games was also important, saying: "It gives my family and friends a chance to actually come and watch me in action. Most of the time, it's difficult.

"They don't know what is going on when I'm overseas; most of the time, I just tell them, 'Oh, I've finished competition already' or something like that."

Once his competitive career is over, Tan wants to be a sailing coach.

First, though, he needs to get a powerboat licence - a requirement for a sailing coach in Singapore.

He was not allowed to obtain the licence, which is currently available to only able-bodied people. However, Tan remains optimistic.

"Hopefully, I can change history (by being able to obtain the licence)," he said.

Change

"Just as people with different abilities can now apply for driving licences, I hope to see this change so that I can apply for a power craft licence and continue to help build sailing.

"I cannot be a sportsman forever. I'll get old one day.

"So I hope to encourage more people to take up sailing and I also want to pass on my knowledge."

This article was first published on October 14, 2015.
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