KUCHING: Teen water polo duo, Sara Tham and Faustina Khow, are diving into their first SEA Games with rising confidence after a strong China training camp and months of steady team bonding.
At just 18, Sara is balancing her SEA Games debut with her foundation studies in business at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak.
Having taken up water polo in mid-2022, she says the sport fits comfortably alongside her academic commitments.
“Training doesn’t really clash with my studies. I just keep my study and my water polo life separate,” she said.
Sara, who admires USA women’s water polo star, Maddie Musselman, hopes her preparation will translate into a strong performance in Thailand.
“I just hope my training pays off, and I play to the best of my abilities,” she told Sarawak Tribune in a recent interview.
The national team recently returned from a training camp in Chengdu, China, where they sparred with overseas teams and intensified their conditioning.
Sara, who hails from Kuching, plays with the ability to shift into the left post or centre when needed and believes the groundwork laid over the past months has strengthened their stamina and match-readiness.
Nineteen-year-old Faustina, also making her Games debut, is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak.
Balancing her studies with national training has been more demanding, but she remains determined.
“It’s a bit hard, but I try my best,” said Faustina, who is of Chinese-Melanau mixed heritage.
Faustina, who started playing water polo in 2022, counts USA legend, Maggie Steffens, as her favourite player. She primarily plays as the left-side wing in attack.
As the SEA Games draw near, she says training has shifted towards sharpening technical execution.
“The programmes now focus more on the small little stuff to make us better,” she said.
Both athletes highlight the team’s growing chemistry, despite coming from different states.
“We’ve really bonded as a team,” Sara said.
“As a team, we just want to do our best. Personally, I just hope I survive,” Faustina added.
With two weeks to go, Malaysia’s women’s water polo squad is shaping up with renewed cohesion, confidence, and determination – qualities the teenage pair hopes will push them to a strong debut in Thailand.
They are scheduled to fly out on December 13, with the women’s water polo competition set to begin the following day, December 14.
