HANS’ OLYMPIC DREAM RECEIVES A BOOST
Notre Dame’s programme helps fencer’s confidence ahead of the qualifiers
THE decision to take a giant leap forward by relocating to the United States has rekindled Hans Yoong’s dream of qualifying for the Olympics.
The 19-year-old, who specialises in foil, has been progressing accordingly since winning his first national title three years ago.
Hans’ fencing career received a boost when he was accepted to study at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana in August.
The Notre Dame school is well known for their fencing programme and has World No 6 Gerek Meinhardt, a three-time Olympian for the US, as an alumnus.
World No 10 Nick Itkin, a 20year-old rising star, who is also likely to represent the US at next year’s Tokyo Olympics, is also a member of the Notre Dame university team.
The exposure to high-level fencers and the competitive environment over the last few months sparked Hans’ career when he bagged his first Sea Games medal, a silver, after a narrow 15-14 defeat to Thailand’s Chornnasun Mayakarn at the recent Philippines edition.
And the Kuala Lumpur-born believes that the result has given him the confidence ahead of the Olympic qualifiers in South Korea.
“Notre Dame has world-class fencers and the competitiveness of being on the team there is pushing me to the next level,” said Hans.
“They have a good fencing programme. Everyone is there for a reason.
“At first, I thought I wouldn’t get accepted. Although I had some results, they were not as great as compared to my teammates.
“While I’m there under the fencing programme, I’m not under a scholarship, so I have to work extra hard to produce results.
“Now that I’m showing progress in all aspects, I believe I have a good chance of making the Olympics next year.
“Before joining Notre Dame, I would say it was probably an unrealistic dream but it’s definitely very realistic now, although I still have a lot of work to do.
“The silver at the Sea Games also serves as an inspiration for me to push harder as other Southeast Asian fencers are also vying to qualify as well,” added Hans.
Hans, ranked World No 242, is unlikely to qualify through his ranking.
His best opportunity would be the Olympic Asian zone qualifiers in South Korea on April 1516.