Coverstory - Lifting more than weights
Challenges chats with strong woman Siow Lee Chan about being more than just physically strong. By Eileen See
2008 was a good year for Siow Lee Chan. This pint-sized lady won a bronze medal for the Powerlifting Women Under 56kg category in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. This was no mean feat considering that she just delivered twins, a couple of months earlier.
For her achievement, she was awarded Tokoh Orang Kurang Upaya Wanita (OKU) 2008 and was also bestowed the F&N Out-Do Yourself Award 2008. This award recognises individuals who rise above the call of duty to perform standout deeds ranging from promoting nation building to outstanding sports.
Fame does not come without a price though. Just one month after giving birth to twin girls she had to resume her intensive training.
“I was not able to take care of my children so I hired an Indonesian maid. Sometimes my children call me ‘mam’ like my maid does. It makes me sad. It’s one of my sacrifices.” The happy glow on her face is somewhat dimmed.
Besides her 22 month old twin girls, whom she absolutely adores, she spoke fondly of her husband, whom she married in 1999.
“Actually it was my husband who introduced me to powerlifting . I was never into sports what more powerlifting. I felt it was too ‘macho’. The big muscles scared me,” Siow giggled girlishly.
Siow revealed that she started training for the sport because she hoped to travel overseas for competitions.. However, when she won her first gold medal one year later, she began to be interested in the sports.
Her friendly exterior belies the inner strength that she has. Perhaps it could be attributed to her tough childhood. After contracting polio at the tender age of seven, Siow lost the use of her legs.
During her secondary school days she loved going out. As her parents were working, her friends would take her out to the pasar malam (night market). One day she heard her friends arguing whose turn it was to push her wheelchair, as none of them wanted to.
“I was devastated. For a young girl who never thought her friends would be like that, how could I accept it?” her voice quavered ever so slightly with emotion.
She related that she did not have many friends in secondary school, only one very good friend who would buy food for her from the canteen or wheel her there.
“One day the teacher wanted to move my class to a classroom upstairs. But due to my condition the teacher changed her mind. I overheard a classmate said ‘I wish she wouldn’t come to school’.”
It is heart wrenching to hear that as a child Siow used to cry every night.
“Every disabled person has insecurities, even the non-disabled,” she said, with a shrug of her shoulders at recalling those memories. Now she urges other disabled people to be strong and independant.
It has helped her put her painful past behind her.
“I am very contented now as I have a family, house, and a career. It’s not bad considering I studied until Form 6 only.”
Life as a national athlete is not only about winning medals and awards. Siow has had her share of unpleasantness in the arena.
When she won the bronze medal during the paralympic games in Beijing last year, she had an injury in her shoulder.
“It was a muscle tear, which still hurts on and off. Sometimes I see a doctor. If it gets too painful I'll normally take medicine,” she added.
There is a story behind every injury. “In 2004 I was at my highest peak, when I was very motivated. At that time I did my own training, with help from my husband, who also takes part in powerlifting. A temporary trainer was engaged for me.”
Siow grimaced at the memory.
“On the very first day he came I got injured. Athletes know their own bodies. But he kept insisting I lift weights in a way that I could not. He was overly pushy and made me hurt my hand, it was so bad I couldn’t even lift it up.”
She added that an understanding coach is very important to elite athletes and is glad that her current coach is such a person.
Siow said that there are currently eight full-time disabled athletes in powerlifting. “Disabled sports has improved much since then. Last time, athletes had to pay for their own transport to training sites or expenses like petrol and protein supplements.
Now the goverment gives the fulltime athelte allowance during training , and even compensates them with a salary allowance for the working para-atheltes who had to take time off their work to come for training everyday.
She said, “This means, we can focus more on our training and not worry about getting food for our children.”
So what’s her recipe for success?
A healthy dose of talent?
“I don’t know about talent, but I know that it’s not easy to be successful. A lot of factors need to be considered, like mentality,” Siow said earnestly.
“We have to play it smart too. Normally I’d watch the winners from other countries. Learn their technique, what is it that helped them win.”
Siow who had been in centralised training since last March, struck gold at the KL09 5th ASEAN Para Games held recently. The full-time training for five days a week from Monday to Friday certainly paid off when she not only won the gold but also set a new record in the women's 65kg category..
Her aim is to be able to compete in the next Paralympic Games 2012 in London, United Kingdom.
“My chances are there, however in any competition there is sure to be pressure. Sometimes in sports one just need luck,” she said as she resumes training after KL09.
CHALLENGES would like to wish Siow Lee Chan all the best, who not only lifts Malaysia’s reputation by lifting weights, but also lifts the spirits of all disabled athletes.