Introducing Malaysia’s new top-class swimming coach.
Meet Chris Martin, Malaysia’s new top-class swimming coach
KUALA LUMPUR: It’s no April Fool’s joke. The Malaysian swimming team can finally boast of a top-class coach.
American Chris Martin, who has over 30 years of experience, has been a coach in the United States, Scotland, England and China. His swimmers have set national records and competed at the Olympics for their respective countries.
For Martin, his appointment as the elite coach rekindles his love affair with Malaysia since he first stepped foot at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.
It was in 1998 during the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games when Martin was coach of the England team.
“That was my first time here and I remember what a beautiful sight it was to see the sunrise and sunset when we were going through training,” said Martin.
“I fell in love with the sights and I stayed back for a couple of weeks to go around the country.
“I remember it.
“I like the warm weather and the multi-cultural society.
“If I have not been here, I would not have done it (taking up the coaching position).”
Martin, who trained American breaststroker Nelson Diebel to win two gold medals at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, is looking forward to raising the standard of our swimmers.
“I want to help all levels of the swimming community, help them get more medals.
“I also want to have an effect on the grassroots and development so that everyone is on the pathway to work to get to the top.
“The world is getting competitive and even in Asia, the swimmers tend to be successful in the longer distance events where more training is required.
“I think that’s a good trend and one of the reasons I want to come here as I have a feeling there is a lot of potential,” added Martin, who is from Pennsylvania.
Martin’s arrival is timely as the swimmers can now get down to work for the Philippines SEA Games in December.
I want to help all levels of the swimming community, help them get more medals.
Chris Martin