Blind duo prove sea endurance at Oceanman Langkawi 2017

LANGKAWI: Of the nearly 300 swimmers who braved the morning chill to compete at the Oceanman Langkawi 2017 yesterday, two of them caught the attention of many in Tanjung Rhu on their visual impairment.

Upon completing the twokilometre course, Faiq Adnan and Wong Hung Fai were a picture of excitement as they shared their experiences in competing alongside other swimmers in this global open sea swimming event series for the first time.

“We are not disabled … just physically impaired. Disabled is (just a term for) a barrier in terms of environment and attitude,” he told Bernama at the end of the race.

“The 27-year-old International Trade and Industry Ministry administrative officer said he joined the Oceanman Langkawi not to create a record but to prove that those who were visuallyimpaired were also capable of competing in challenging sports.

“Being involved in challenging sports is good for those with impairment as this will train us how to survive on our own,” he said.

Hung Fai, who has been Faiq’s friend since age seven, echoed the other’s thoughts as he went further to say that he wanted to change public perception on the ability of those with visual impairment. “We don’t want society to continue thinking that people like us should not be active and just stay at home. We want to change this,” he said.

On the challenges they faced during the event, Hung Fai said water current in some parts of the race had caused them to drift off course and they swam some distance longer than usual.

“I believe we could have swum for about three kilometres but fortunately with our mind sight, we were able to correct our course and finish the race,” he added.

The Oceanman Langkawi 2017 came as the latest challenge completed by the duo as next week, they plan to compete at the Pattaya Swimathon in Thailand, their second participation after taking part in it last year. — Bernama