Ex-national swimmer Siew Hui makes a mark at the Bar

PETALING JAYA: She once made a splash for Malaysia in the pool, but former Asian Youth Games medallist Yap Siew Hui is now making her mark in the legal world.

After retiring from competitive swimming, the butterfly specialist pursued law at Queen’s University Belfast in the United Kingdom.

Siew Hui, who was the only Malaysian female swimmer to reach the Asian Youth Games podium after winning silver in the women’s 50m butterfly in 2014, never expected her journey would lead her to the court of law.

“Honestly, this was not the route I wanted to take at first,” said Siew Hui.

The 28-year-old was called to the Bar of England and Wales as a barrister in 2023 and was recently admitted to the Malaysian Bar as an advocate and solicitor.

She is now a legal associate at Adnan, Sundra and Low, whose firm helped draft Malaysia’s Safe Sports Code to protect athletes from harassment and misconduct.

“I always wanted to be a doctor, but I wasn’t keen on the many years needed to practise medicine. I chose law without realising it would also take just as long to qualify,” said Siew Hui, who represented the national team from 2012 to 2016.

Looking back, Siew Hui felt the formative years of her life spent in the pool and eventually with the national team prepared her well for her transition into adulthood and working environment.

“Swimming teaches us goal setting, discipline and being able to tackle challenges even when things gets hard. It’s good I was able to apply this into my career,” she said.

“I gave my all when I was swimming and I cherished the times. I also had the privilege of representing Malaysia at the SEA Games, Youth Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

“Sports still hold a special place in my heart. I look forward to contributing to the sports industry with my legal knowledge and skills,” added Siew Hui, who is now specialising in intellectual property, technology, media, sports and gaming.