To end on the crest of a wave

Open-water swimmer Liew seeks Olympic spot with Tokyo swansong in mind

Chantal Liew en route to claiming the 10km open-water swimming silver medal at the 2017 SEA Games. She became the first Singapore woman to win a medal in the event. PHOTO: JEREMY HO/SPORT SINGAPORE
Chantal Liew en route to claiming the 10km open-water swimming silver medal at the 2017 SEA Games. She became the first Singapore woman to win a medal in the event. PHOTO: JEREMY HO/SPORT SINGAPORE

After four years, it is the end of the road for open-water swimmer Chantal Liew, but she is looking to end this chapter of her life on a high - by becoming the first Singaporean to qualify for the Olympics in the sport.

Liew, 22, told local media in a virtual press conference yesterday she had planned to retire after the Tokyo Games last year. But the postponement of the Games saw her delay her swansong by a year as well.

The 2017 SEA Games silver medallist added it was not an easy decision, but she wants to pursue a Master's degree in human-computer interaction and find a job in the tech sector. She said: "There are competitions every year so it's very easy for swimmers to say 'one more competition', but you need to put your foot down and say this is going to be my last year. If not, it can drag on forever.

"Now is a good time for me. I'm very passionate about things outside the pool, but I'm still happy to swim and I love it. I just want to leave with a bang."

Liew and coach Marcus Cheah will leave on Sunday for Portugal, where she will race in the Fina Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier 2021 for a spot in the 10km event at the July 23-Aug 8 Tokyo Games.

To qualify, she has to be the highest Asian finisher after hosts Japan and China, who qualified at the 2019 World Championships. Fifteen slots each for the men and women's events are up for grabs at the June 19-20 meet in Setubal.

Other Asian competitors include swimmers from Hong Kong, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and South Korea.

Liew said: "I've been working with Marcus on specific things like building endurance and also working on some speed. We're trying to cover all bases to make sure I'm as ready as possible for anything that happens."

Knowing she is going to retire soon, she said: "I've been approaching every single training session and opportunity to race with a lot more clarity and calmness. I just want to enjoy myself and make the most of everything."

Cheah, also head coach of AquaTech Swimming, added: "It really boils down to the confidence level on the day itself and elements like water temperature. There's only so much preparation you can do beforehand.

"We're trying to get her as fit as possible because when she's fitter, she's more confident. When she's more confident, she races in a more relaxed manner."

Liew previously swam in the freestyle and backstroke events. She said she used to get caught up with every detail like counting the number of strokes and kicks, and micro-managing every single aspect of her race and this obsessive nature eventually led to unhappiness.

Open-water racing is different, she noted. "It's a 10km race that's at least two hours long and there are so many other elements and factors... it's taught me to trust myself and trust the process. Don't get caught up with all the details and just do my best."

Liew hopes her journey will raise the profile of the sport and added she would love to continue being a part of the community. Pointing to the 2017 Games in Kuala Lumpur, where she became the first Singapore woman to win a medal in the 10km open-water swim, she said: "That was very special, not just for me but also for Singapore. It's great to take this sport to places it's never been in Singapore."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 09, 2021, with the headline To end on the crest of a wave. Subscribe