Rachel raises the bar after knee injury heals
National gymnast Rachel Yeoh Li Wen is a shy girl, but all that timidity disappears when she is on the apparatus or floor. Then, she lights up the gymnasium with her smile and charm.
The smile hides the steel behind the lass. The Penangite has endured painful knee injuries in both legs and has even considered quitting in 2017 but she is finally making her presence felt in the national team.
Her performance at the SEA Games last year was lauded by many, even though she just won bronze in the uneven bars.
Now, she is part of the “Road to Tokyo” centralised camp at the National Sports Council (NSC).
With Farah Ann Abdul Hadi already in the Tokyo Olympics, the other three in the programme – Tracie Ang, Tan Ing Yueh and Rachel – stand a chance of joining her at the Games, with the qualification period extended to June next year.
However, the 21-year-old Rachel said she had not thought about the Olympics, but of just giving her best when tournaments resume.
“I will train hard to perform my best once competitions resume. I have different goals,” said the pint-sized girl.
“My most important goals will be to perform in the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
“I wish I could have continued the momentum from the SEA Games, but the Covid-19 had other plans. But there’s nothing I can do but chin up, and fight. Don’t give up easily. That is what I always tell myself.”
Her aim is to definitely be one of the top contenders in the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022.
She would be 23 at the time, which is usually the peak age for an artistic gymnast.
Currently, Rachel is looking to learn as much as possible from seniors like Farah, Tracie and Ing Yueh during the centralised camp.
“They are very positive-minded, always forward-thinking and also have the spirit to train even when they are tired. I will keep myself motivated even though it is hard to start training again after the long layoff,” she said.