Sock Khim aims to bow out of home Games with a bang
PETALING JAYA: It’s only fitting that national paddler Ng Sock Khim will be making her final SEA Games appearance on home soil.
The 33-year-old has competed in six editions of the Games – Brunei 1999, Kuala Lumpur 2001, Hanoi 2003, Manila 2005, Korat 2007 and Singapore 2015.
Her only regret is that she did not get to play in the singles event in the 2001 edition.
That’s why she’s hoping to go out with a bang when the Games are held in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 19-30
“I was a bit too young and inexperienced in 2001, so I didn’t have a chance to play singles,” said Sock Khim, who is ready to pass the baton to her juniors after this year’s KL Games.
“I did play in the team event, though, and we won the bronze.
“My time in the SEA Games is drawing to an end ... it’s time to let the juniors take over.
“I’m not retiring, yet. I still have the Commonwealth Games in April next year to look forward to.
“But I want to go out strongly in the SEA Games. We have a target of three bronze medals ... but I hope we can surpass that.
“Physically, I’m in good shape. My knee is completely recovered and my tennis elbow injury is also feeling much better,” added Sock Khim, who has undergone four surgeries on her right knee since 2009.
The soft-spoken Sock Khim, whose best SEA Games achievement was a women’s singles silver medal in 2007 and 2015, has picked Thailand and Vietnam as potential party-poopers.
“Singapore are obviously very strong. But Thailand and Vietnam are good also,” said Sock Khim.
“The Thai player who won the gold in Singapore – Suthasini Sawettabut – has improved so much ... she even beat world No. 11 Doo Hoi Kem of Hong Kong at the Asian Championships last month.
“But I’m ready to fight hard in front of the home crowd.”
Sock Khim and the other women paddlers – Lee Rou You, Ho Ying, Alice Chang and Ting Hie Phih – will attend a training camp in Zhengding, China, from June 19-Aug 2 to prepare for the KL Games.
The men’s team – Mohd Shakirin Ibrahim, Mohd Ashraf Haiqal, Leong Chee Feng, Wong Chun Chuen and Chong Javen – will train in Beijing at the same time.