Interview conducted by Xander Chan, 10 CRT, Written by Xander Chan, 10 CRT & Ms Chong Jia Ling
For many athletes, we see only the final moments: the race, the result, the medal and the applause. What we rarely see are the hours of training that come before it.
For Lim Yi Shawn, being named Best Male Athlete represents much more than sporting achievement. Almost every day after school, while most students are heading home, Shawn begins another part of his day: training. Behind his achievements lies a demanding routine built on discipline, consistency and countless hours of effort.
Shawn’s journey has not always been easy. Along the way, he has faced disappointing results, missed opportunities and challenges that have tested his determination. Yet his response has remained remarkably simple: keep showing up, keep training and keep improving.
Xander Chan speaks with Shawn about the work behind the medals, the setbacks that shaped him and what keeps him moving forward, even when the journey gets difficult.
Xander: Congratulations on receiving the Best Male Athlete Award! How did you feel when your name was announced?
Shawn: Honestly, I was really surprised, but also very happy. It felt rewarding to know that all the time and effort I had put into training had paid off. It made all those long hours of training feel worthwhile.
Xander: Tell us a little about yourself. Which sports do you compete in, and how long have you been training?
Shawn: I mainly compete in track events, especially the 100m and 200m, but I also train in fencing and swimming. I have been training for a few years now, and over time, sports have become a big part of my life. They have taught me a lot about discipline and pushing myself beyond what I think I can do.
Xander: We know you train almost every day after school. What does a normal training day look like for you?
Shawn: I usually train after school from around 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Depending on the day, we may focus on sprinting, technique, strength or conditioning. It can definitely be tiring especially after a full day at school, but I enjoy training because I know every session helps me improve.
Xander: That’s a very demanding schedule. On days when you’re tired or feel like giving up, what keeps you going?
Shawn: I remind myself why I started and what I want to achieve. There are definitely days when I feel tired and less motivated which makes me not want to train. But I have learnt that I cannot rely on motivation alone. Sometimes, I just have to show up and do the work. I know that every bit of effort I put in now brings me closer to where I want to be.
Xander: Every athlete faces setbacks. Can you share one difficult moment in your sporting journey and how you overcame it?
Shawn: One of my biggest setbacks was not qualifying for the final and missing the chance to compete at MSSS. It was hard to accept after putting so much effort into preparing for it. But I realised I had two choices: I could dwell on the result, or I could use it as motivation to improve. I chose to keep training, work on my weaknesses and prepare myself better for the next opportunity.
Xander: Have you faced any personal challenges that have made training or competing more difficult? How have you learnt to adapt to them?
Shawn: One challenge I have had to adapt to is my partial hearing loss. Sometimes, communication during training or competitions can be difficult, especially when there are a lot of people or background noise. I have learnt to pay closer attention and make sure I understand instructions beforehand. Over time, I have found ways to manage it so that it does not stop me from training or competing.
Xander: Besides physical strength, what do you think makes a great athlete?
Shawn: I think mindset is just as important as physical ability. A great athlete needs discipline and consistency, but also the determination to keep going when things become difficult. You will not always get the result you want, so you have to be willing to learn from setbacks and continue working towards your goals.
Xander: How has being an athlete changed the way you see yourself and what you are capable of?
Shawn: Sports have taught me not to judge what I am capable of based only on where I am now. There are always things I can improve, and I have learnt that progress takes time. I think I have become more disciplined and persistent because of that. When something does not go my way, I am more willing to keep working at it rather than deciding that I cannot do it.
Xander: Who has been your biggest source of support throughout your journey?
Shawn: My family has always been there for me, especially during the more difficult moments. My coaches have pushed me to improve and become a better athlete, while my friends have encouraged me along the way. Having people who believe in me has made a real difference.
Xander: What goals are you working towards next?
Shawn: My main goal is to achieve better times in the 100m and 200m, and hopefully compete at higher levels in the future. For now, I am focusing on making steady progress and working towards the next level one step at a time.
Xander: What advice would you give to students who want to improve in sports but feel they aren’t talented enough?
Shawn: Don’t worry too much about whether you are naturally talented. Talent can help, but it is not everything. Focus on practising consistently and becoming a little better each time. You may not see the results immediately, but those small improvements can take you much further than you think.
Xander: Finally, our magazine theme is “From Impossible to Possible”. What does that phrase mean to you personally?
Shawn: To me, “From Impossible to Possible” means not letting what you can do now limit what you believe you can achieve in the future. Some goals may seem out of reach at first, but that can change with time, effort and determination. I have learnt that you should never decide too early what you are or are not capable of.
