Playing the saxophone takes away the stress for debutant Siobhain

PETALING JAYA: A little jazz is good for your soul!

Triathlete Siobhain Doyle Mei Li, who is a grade eight saxophonist, believes that music has played a crucial role throughout her sports journey.

Getting the balance right: Triathlete Siobhain Doyle Mei Li is studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Bath in the UK.

“I love playing the saxophone and it has contributed a lot in my sports career too,” said the 19-year-old Siobhain.

“Whenever I’m stressed out, I will just pull out my saxophone and jazz it in my room.

“It’s my way of de-stressing.”

She also has another ritual of slapping her legs before competing in any race.

Siobhain believes that by doing that, it helps to increase blood flow and relieve stress before competing.

“I would slap my legs before I race to get the blood flowing,” she said.

“I get stressed up before competitions, so I feel better after giving my legs and arms a good beating.

“I don’t remember how I came up with this habit, but it’s a ritual for me now.”

Siobhain is looking forward to making her first appearance in the SEA Games, where she will join 2021 Hanoi silver medallist Tahira Najmunisaa Mohd Zaid in the women’s duathlon sprint distance.

She will also compete in the mixed aquathlon team relay with Teo Zun Jet, Isaac Tan Zhen Wei and Shinozuka Mayumi.

Siobhain secured her ticket in the aquathlon after completing the race which comprises a 500m swim and 2.5km run, with a time of 18:30 en route to finishing second at the NX113 aquathlon race in the inaugural SEA Open Water Swimming Championships in February.

“I’m excited. As a young girl growing up, I’ve always wanted to compete in a major games like this,” said Siobhain, who did not have to wait long for her dream to come true.

Despite only venturing into triathlon last year, she has put up a great performance to qualify on merit for the biennial games in just one year.

“I had a background in track running. A year ago, after the lockdown, one of the coaches texted me and asked me to join one of the sessions,” said the Kuala Lumpur-born Siobhain.

“Then, I met coach Rupert, who is my current coach, and everything shifted from there.

“Although I believe multisport is more challenging and requires more physicality, I just love the idea of being part of it.”

Siobhain is currently studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom, and she will be back in Malaysia on April 26.

“I’m hoping to win a medal of any colour in the team relay and if possible, in duathlon as well,” she said.

“However, I’m coming from the other side of the country, so I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself ... I just want to make it worthwhile.”