KUCHING: As Sarawak’s young swimmers compete in the 52nd Sarawak Age Group (SAG) Swimming Championships, coach and SEA Games bronze medallist, Job Tan Xi Jay, stressed the importance of development and experience over immediate results.
Job brings valuable international experience to his role as a coach with the Hornbill Swimmers. Having won bronze in the 200m breaststroke at the 2022 SEA Games in Vietnam, he understands the pressure and dedication required to succeed at higher levels of competition.
“I think they are doing quite well. We have some young blood like Sheamus Chew and Chereen Ngo who are showing great potential. Although not everyone is at their best yet, many are still in the development stage as they gain experience,” he told the Sarawak Tribune at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre today.
The 26-year-old, who is also a Borneo Games silver medallist in the 100m breaststroke and gold medallist in the mixed 4x100m medley relay, acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from swimmer to coach.
“Having been through the competitive pathway myself, I try to relate to the athletes and help them understand that meets like the SAG Championships are stepping stones. If you don’t qualify through this meet, you can’t progress to national and international events,” he added.
Job also emphasised the importance of balance and enjoyment in training, especially for less experienced swimmers.
“We focus on having fun and improving times gradually. Better results are a bonus as they develop,” he said.
He has been coaching with Hornbill Swimming Club since 2019, before moving into a full-time role in recent years. The club competes under the Kuching Amateur Swimming Association 2010 (KASA2010), which is currently leading the team standings at the championships.
The 52nd SAG Swimming Championships, which conclude on Sunday (January 4), also serve as a key selection meet for the 2026 Malaysia Invitational Age Group (MIAG) and the Schools Sports Council of Malaysia (MSSM) championships.
A total of 262 swimmers from five associations are competing across six age categories, ranging from nine years old and below to 21 years old.
With experienced mentors like Job guiding them, Sarawak’s young swimmers are well-positioned to continue their development and progress on the competitive pathway.
