Sailing Doctor Kevin bids to end Asiad campaign on golden note

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's “Sailing Doctor” Kevin Lim will create history as the first athlete in the country to make five consecutive Asian Games appearances when he sets sail on the waters off Doha next month. 

And he reckons that it is his best shot at winning the gold that eluded him in Laser Standard category in the last two Games in Bangkok (1998) and Busan (2002). He was the silver medallist on both occasions. 

Kevin graduated as a doctor and went on to do his housemanship after taking part in the 2004 Athens Olympics. 

However, the 30-year-old then shelved his career plans to remain in training, all for the love of sailing. 

“I continue to train because I believe I have a good chance to win the gold in Doha,” said Kevin from his training base in Sydney. 

GOOD PROSPECT: Malaysian Kevin Lim is the top ranked Asian sailor in the Laser Standard event in Doha.

“I feel this is one of my best years and coming close to taking the gold twice makes me more determined to succeed this time. 

“This should be my last Asian Games and it is good if I am remembered as someone who trained hard and played fair. But most of all, I really want to win the gold.” 

Kevin returned to Australia early this month after completing a three-week training stint in Europe. He will leave for Doha tomorrow to join three other Malaysian sailors –Mohd Romzi Mohd, Faizani Yahaya and Rufina Tan Hong Mui, who are also seen as medal prospects in Doha.  

Kevin made his Asiad debut in Beijing in 1990 in the Optimist event. He moved on to compete in the Laser Standard in Hiroshima four years later and finished fourth. 

On his fifth appearance in the series, Kevin said that sounded quite a lot but he had not really given it a thought. 

“For a sport like sailing, it is really not that unique. In fact, the oldest athlete in the 2004 Olympics was Australian Collin Beashel, who was competing in his fifth or sixth Olympics. Experience carries you a long way in sailing,” he said. 

“I guess, for me, sailing is a true passion – a way of life. Even if I were not representing Malaysia, I would still probably be sailing. 

“I don't find it a chore. In fact, the harder the conditions, the more content I am at the end of the day. Like the saying goes, a bad day at sailing is still better than a good day at work.” 

Kevin is the top ranked Asian in his event at number 42 in the world list. 

He was the best Asian finisher in the World Championships in Cheju two months ago in 53rd out of more than 120 competitors. In the weekly regattas in England, he finished consistently among the top 10. 

Kevin felt that his main rivals for the gold in Doha will be defending champion Kim Ho-kon of South Korea, Japanese Yoishi Iijima, Singaporean Maximillian Soh and China's Shen Sheng. 

Besides Kevin, 15-year-old Rufina is also rated as a gold medal prospect. The Sabahan won the Optimist gold in the Asian Championships in Doha in March.