[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/gearing-up-for-the-paralympic-games-through-the-eyes-of-coaches\/#NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/gearing-up-for-the-paralympic-games-through-the-eyes-of-coaches\/","headline":"Gearing up for the Paralympic Games through the eyes of coaches","name":"Gearing up for the Paralympic Games through the eyes of coaches","description":"In any sporting event, athletes are the ones to watch. As they astonish with their strength, finesse, and prowess, it is easy to overlook the various moving parts that work together to prepare an athlete to compete at the highest level. And there is a group of individuals who are by the athletes\u2019 side throughout […]","datePublished":"2021-08-26","dateModified":"2022-04-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/Ming%20En%20Liew\/#Person","name":"Ming En Liew","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/Ming%20En%20Liew\/","identifier":132,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8fe7a89455a989038349633329a6e4ad6299388f5e1e3ea83c28126090b2314f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8fe7a89455a989038349633329a6e4ad6299388f5e1e3ea83c28126090b2314f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"TheHomeGround Asia","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","width":640,"height":640}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1280X626-65-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1280X626-65-1.jpg","height":626,"width":1280},"url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/gearing-up-for-the-paralympic-games-through-the-eyes-of-coaches\/","commentCount":"3","comment":[{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/gearing-up-for-the-paralympic-games-through-the-eyes-of-coaches\/#Comment1","dateCreated":"2026-05-02 17:18:07","description":"Just what I was looking for.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"watch live tv online free streaming","url":"https:\/\/www.russianrobotics.ru\/bitrix\/redirect.php?goto=https:\/\/www.oneotv.com\/"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/gearing-up-for-the-paralympic-games-through-the-eyes-of-coaches\/#Comment2","dateCreated":"2026-04-27 19:31:25","description":"Your writing style is engaging.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"puma for women's shoes","url":"https:\/\/globalshoepalace.com\/product-category\/women\/puma-women-shoes"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/gearing-up-for-the-paralympic-games-through-the-eyes-of-coaches\/#Comment3","dateCreated":"2026-04-24 16:09:48","description":"Excellent breakdown of the topic.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Brown salomon shoes","url":"https:\/\/globalshoepalace.com\/product-category\/women\/Salomon-Women-Shoes"}}],"about":["Local","Singapore"],"wordCount":1600,"articleBody":"In any sporting event, athletes are the ones to watch. As they astonish with their strength, finesse, and prowess, it is easy to overlook the various moving parts that work together to prepare an athlete to compete at the highest level. And there is a group of individuals who are by the athletes\u2019 side throughout every training, and who will be beside them as they stand on the fields of play at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games \u2013 coaches.\u00a0\u00a0The factors a coach has to take into account when training their athletes for a sport are plentiful. They are responsible not just for the physical prowess of their charge but also their technique, mental focus, and timing.Powerlifting coach Muhammad Abdul Razak bin Mansor, who coaches Singapore\u2019s first paralympic powerlifter Nur Aini Yasli, explains: \u201cWe have to monitor fatigue levels, whether their joints are feeling healthy, their energy level, and of course, we have to keep them mentally in shape.\u201d\u00a0\u201cWe have to get [the athletes] to peak at the right time,\u201d he says.This involves preparing the athletes mentally as well: \u201cIt can get mentally challenging, and you have to keep them on their toes. Let them know that they have the ability to make the lift.\u201d\u00a0Muhammad Abdul Razak bin Mansor, coach for paralympic powerlifter Nur Aini. (Photo courtesy of Singapore Disability Sports Council)Additionally, powerlifting being a weight class sport means that Mr Razak works closely with a nutritionist to ensure Ms Aini is meeting her targeted weight class ahead of the Games: \u201cWe get them to monitor their weight, and make sure they are on track to [maintaining it].\u201d\u00a0\u201cWhen all these things are in place, we create an environment for the athlete to be a little bit more relaxed [when] coming into the competition,\u201d he says. \u201cWhen they are properly relaxed and adequately prepared, that\u2019s when they perform.\u201d\u00a0For archery coach Pang Qing Liang, time posed another challenge. The training cycle for the paralympics is typically four years, but Mr Pang only took over his charge\u2019s [paralympic archer Nur Syahidah Alim] training in 2019.\u00a0@mustsharenews Did you know Paralympics means parallel Games to the Olympics? #paralympics #paralympics2020 #teamsingapore #tiktoksg #mustsharenews \u266c original sound – MustShareNewsAs a result, his training plan had to take into account the short timeframe, and compromises on certain aspects to ensure she was ready for the Paralympic Games that were happening the next year (before the Games were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic).\u00a0\u201cFor me, [the focus was thus] on the mental aspect. Because [Ms Syahidah] had been shooting for so long, in terms of shooting habits, she is quite consistent in how she manages herself in competition,\u201d he explains.\u201cI always [get] her to focus on the process, and on [factors] she can control,\u201d he concludes.\u00a0A journey in the makingMr Pang\u2019s journey to the Paralympics started when he took over Ms Syahidah\u2019s training in 2019: \u201cI [didn\u2019t] dive straight into what to change for her. Gaining the respect and acknowledgement [from her] was very important.\u201d\u00a0Pang Qing Liang, Team Singapore coach for Paralympic archer Nur Syahidah Alim. (Photo courtesy of Singapore Disability Sports Council)He elaborates: \u201cA coach may just be a name. Not all athletes will listen to you. You have to show some skills and do what you need to [for athletes] to eventually believe in you.\u201dOver time, Mr Pang and Ms Syahidah developed a strong rapport. Their coach-athlete partnership was put to the test not long after Mr Pang took over the training regime for Ms Syahidah, during the 2019 World Archery Para Championships held in Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.\u00a0Ms Syahidah put up a stellar showing, and clinched the world championship title. Recalls Mr Pang: \u201cIt was quite a happy moment for me [as it] means that what I was doing is on the right track.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Mr Razak\u2019s journey with Ms Aini reads a little differently. He shares: \u201cWhen I took over [coaching], we discussed that\u2026 she had a very slim chance of qualifying for the Paralympic Games.\u201dWhat little hope they had was dashed when Ms Aini broke her ankle in late 2019, and was out of the game for approximately six to seven months.\u00a0\u201c[At the time], we thought the chance slipped out of our hands already,\u201d Mr Razak recalls. \u201cBut fortunately, the pandemic bought us some time, so we got to prepare for the [qualifying requirements needed to make the Paralympic Games].\u201d\u00a0Mr Razak with Ms Aini at the 2018 ASIAN Para Games in Indonesia. (Photo courtesy of Sport Singapore)He clarifies: \u201cIt still wasn\u2019t in the cards whether we could qualify or not, but I had this gut feeling that we needed to try.\u201d\u00a0Entering the Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai in June 2020, Mr Razak was hopeful that Ms Aini would make it to the top eight. But much to their surprise and delight, Ms Aini would surpass all expectations, and win the bronze medal, earning her a place at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.\u00a0It is a dream come true for Mr Razak: \u201cSince my days of playing rugby, and powerlifting as a young guy, one of the things that I really wanted to do is to represent the country in something.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m stoked to be given the opportunity to be at this level with these great athletes [and] I feel very humbled to be in this position right now and to be able to qualify for and coach the highest level of sport in the Paralympics.\u201d\u00a0The unsung heroes on game dayBeyond supporting and training the athletes in the lead-up to major games and competitions, coaches also play a vital role on game day. As part of Singapore\u2019s contingent that travels to Tokyo alongside the athletes, they will remain by the athletes\u2019 sides throughout the games, ensuring that things go smoothly, and that the athletes are in their best form on game day.\u00a0Mr Pang shares: \u201c[On the day of the competition], I wake up earlier to make sure that the day\u2019s itinerary wouldn\u2019t have any problems to remove administrative stress from the athlete.\u00a0\u201c[This means] getting her there at the right time, and getting her comfortable. I need to find out what the timing is to [compete], when we can start practicing, what time the bus comes, and all that.\u201d\u00a0Essentially, the coaches double up as team managers in Tokyo, ensuring that everything goes smoothly, so that athletes can focus solely on their sport.\u00a0On competition grounds, he says: \u201cAs a coach, even if you are not calm, you must act calm [to] give assurance to the athlete participating in the games.\u201d Mr Pang at a training session with Ms Syahidah. (Photo courtesy of Singapore Disability Sports Council)He also steps in to ensure that his charge continues to maintain good habits during the games instead of succumbing to nerves: \u201cYou need to pull them back on track, and summon them back to what they need to do.\u201d\u00a0Mr Razak chimes in: \u201cI have to make sure that [Aini] calms her nerves down and is adequately prepared. [For instance, she has to get] in gear on time, and get warmed up on time.\u201d\u00a0\u201cWe have a very limited time for warm-up, and it is crucial,\u201d he adds. \u201cIf we rush the warm-up, or if we have too long a delay between [it] and the actual lift, it can compromise her performance on the platform. It\u2019s all about getting the timing right on competition day.\u201d\u00a0Being a powerlifting coach also comes with the added responsibility of being the decision-maker for the weights Ms Aini will be lifting for her attempts.\u00a0\u201cI have to be sharp\u2026 to monitor the screens [to see] which athletes are lifting what, and [determine] how we climb positions,\u201d he says.\u00a0Going into the Games, both coaches have envisioned the goals and expectations set out for their athletes.\u00a0Says Mr Pang: \u201cThe Paralympic Games are just part of a milestone to become an even better archer in the world.\u201d\u00a0\u201cIn every competition we go to, we aim to be on the podium, but [more importantly], we still focus on the process. [This goal] is more of her doing what she needs to do\u2026 For example, [staying focused] despite wind and weather elements, people talking around you, or photographers spamming the shutter.\u201d\u00a0Meanwhile, Mr Razak states: \u201cWe are going to put it all on the table, but the most important thing that I want [Ms Aini] to demonstrate is her technical abilities.\u201d\u00a0\u201cThe [goal] is just [for her] to perform to her best. It\u2019s just three lifts, and it\u2019s all out on the table. So if we can get all three, it\u2019s a very good day for me. And if we can get a personal best, then that\u2019s a fantastic bonus,\u201d he adds.\u00a0Mr Pang hopes that more people will tune in to watch the paralympic games, and be inspired by the athletes. (Photo courtesy of Sport Singapore)As the coaches and athletes alike gear up for their respective events, Mr Pang hopes that audiences will tune in to watch the games and support the athletes.\u00a0\u201cWhen [Paralympians] compete, they are definitely more focused than any one of us. Because of what they went through, they don\u2019t give up so easily, because it\u2019s already out of their comfort zone.\u201d\u00a0\u201cI urge more Singaporeans to start watching [paralympic sports] and get inspired by them as well,\u201d he says.Join the conversations on TheHomeGround Asia’s Facebook and Instagram, and get the latest updates via Telegram."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Destinations","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Singapore","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/\/singapore\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Gearing up for the Paralympic Games through the eyes of coaches","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/gearing-up-for-the-paralympic-games-through-the-eyes-of-coaches\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]