Daughters gave boxer the upper hand
It was for the love of his daughter that R. Vairavasundaram turned his life around.
“I fell into depression due to a family problem. A relative told me that I would be ruining my daughters’ lives if I continued with the way I was,” said Vairavasundaram.
“So I tried hard to recover for their sake.
“I was determined to ensure that they did not go through a problematic childhood as I did.”
These days, the 57-year-old youth trainer and motivational speaker can be found bonding with his girls – Kowsalya Sundaram, 18, and Priyanka, 21 – at the martial arts studio he set up here about three years ago.
Vairavasundaram said unlike other conventional father-daughter activities, matriculation student Kowsalya and Priyanka, who is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, like spending time with their dad at his studio.
“I’m grateful that the girls share the same passion in sports as I do,” he said.
The younger girl said seeing their father’s selflessness in helping others inspired them to follow suit.
“He has always been compassionate towards people and animals. He also tries to improvise his programmes to help children,” Kowsalya said when met at the studio in Penang Times Square yesterday.
“Our father is friendly, open-minded, encouraging, and has never tried to push his interest on us. We picked it up ourselves.”
Last year, Vairavasundaram began a programme called “Zero to Hero” to help youths love themselves through martial arts, physical training and communing with nature.
Currently, the former boxer and Muay Thai champion has more than 30 participants, aged between 10 and 23, involved with his programme.