Power to persevere
OVER 40 genes on the human DNA have been identified as indicative of how well individuals tolerate training volume and intensity, or whether endurance exercise would be a better alternative instead. One variation of the ACT (alphaactinin-3 gene), for example, linked to the level of muscle recovery from exercise, has been found in almost every Olympic sprinter.
As a sport that involves lifting a loaded barbell from the ground to over the head through a series of calculated movements, weight training brings benefits such as increased fat loss, reduced risk of osteoporosis and improved posture. For powerlifter Chin Ying Ying, it helped her to constantly learn and persevere.
“Powerlifting is not just about weightlifting but also technique, preparation, training structure and support system. Before powerlifting was suggested to me by a friend starting his own sports brand, I had been going through binge-eating and depression.
“Then I began training and spent months not knowing exactly what I was doing, but I took those as my moments out of my comfort zone. I stuck with it, and it turned out to be a good thing for me on so many levels.”
In Olympic weightlifting, the lifting movements are called the snatch, the clean and the jerk. In powerlifting, they are the squat, the bench press and the deadlift. Competitors of both powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting are allowed three tries to lift the heaviest weight for each movement, and the heaviest successful lift goes into their individual total score.
Lifting her first success in third place under the Women U52 category of the Malaysian Powerlifting Alliance (MPA) Strength Alliance Meet (SAM) 2017, Chin went on to place first in both the Women Junior U57 and Women Overall categories at the Malaysian Powerlifting Open 2018. She snatched two other firsts in Best Wilks Bench and Best Wilks Deadlift at the Malaya Mayhem 2020 last February, and second place in the Women Open category.
Knowing of even 70-year-olds participating in competitions, Chin believes that anyone can join the sport and start powerlifting training as long as he or she is mobile and motivated. Determined to change the way people perceive weight training, the member of both MPA and the Global Powerlifting Alliance (GPA) plans to venture into international powerlifting competitions next, and to finish her studies with distinction in the Diploma in Sport Science programme at Management and Science University (MSU).
“The best part about powerlifting is that everything about it can be shared. Everyone may have different experiences, and competitions can be stressful, but at the end of the day, everybody emerges stronger. Powerlifting gives me a sense of belonging, an outlet to channel all my life stressors and mental issues into lifting focus. It’s my form of therapy, one that has strengthened me physically and mentally. A proper education in sports and exercise can only lead me to future discoveries and expand my horizon.”
Given her passion for powerlifting, it was once upon a time inconceivable to Chin that she might have to give it up.
“Before MSU, all the universities I went to were dismissive about a scholarship. It was even suggested that I stop my sport and concentrate on pursuing my academics. In the end, not only did I not finish my studies, I was also unhappy.
“Then I heard that MSU takes care of its athletes. Now I also know that my faculty lecturers are the nicest, most helpful, amazing people who would actually come to you when you need help. I genuinely enjoy studying here and recommend MSU.”
MSU’s highly qualified academics and international visiting professors support a holistic curricular framework that delivers compelling learning experiences.
Blending technical vocational education and training (TVET) with traditional academic curricula, MSU enhances competencies with industry internship, community and creative entrepreneurship, as well as global exposure; empowering MSU graduates with the well-roundedness desired and sought after by employers.
All in all, as an applied, enterprise, holistic and international university, MSU offers foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and flexible programmes through an entry system that facilitates admission of students from all walks of life, where it aims to transform lives and enrich the future.