New cycling coach shares secrets of success
KUCHING: The Sarawak State Sports Council ( MSNS) has appointed South African professional cycling coach Leon Schepers to help train state cyclists for the 18th Sukma from July 22- 31.
Schepers will take direct charge of the BMX event but may also help out in the downhill, road race and mountain bike events.
Schepers has been coaching champions at the international level in three continents.
He coached the 2006 South African Olympic team in 2006 and was based in Toronto from 2010-2013.
In a recent interview here, he highlighted a major achievement as helping 51- year old female cyclist Mytre Wilken win five medals in the keirin, individual sprint and team sprint at the African cont inental championships.
He ha s ex p r e s s e d confidence in producing champions and delivering medals for Sarawak in July.
“On Sarawak Sukma, they will be ready. They will win medals. I coached athletes to win. I don’t like coaching and losing.
“If an athlete give me 100 per cent and loses, I’m happy and 70 per cent and win, I’m not happy.”
“Sometimes it is not the best who win but those with determination. Like in BMX, I want my cyclists to get up from falls and fight to win the race.
Schepers has also provided some insight into his training methods.
“My cyclists do a lot of gym work and I build them up with lot of skills which is required in their disciplines.
“I also work according to a strict training regime. For Sukma I would fi rst start with races and work on mental ability, strength, physical training year- round training. I look at the intensity,” he said.
“Success in cycling races boils down to funding. Equipment are a must and all the coaches must be driven with one goal - to win medals,” he added. “If Malaysia got the athletes to train to go to the Olympics, if they are dedicated and train for two years and if they stay.
“I would have confidence to win medals if I can plan and train together for at least two years with the proper
funding.”