Ang Xuan Yi

Discover SIM GE Ang Xuan Yi (middle) wins a gold at the Asean University Games, December 2012 2012 has been a rich year for black-belt Judoka Ang Xuan Yi who won a gold medal at the 16th Asean University Games in Vientiane, Laos, in December. The same month she was awarded the Sportswoman of the Year by SIM Global Education. Xuan Yi, 23, took up Judo as a sport when she was in Hougang Secondary. “In Judo unlike most martial arts, you need one good throw or to pin down the opponent to score the winning point,” explains Xuan Yi. Beginners start with a light blue belt and work their way up to a black belt (which is further divided into grades or dan). She loves the sport because “it tests you mentally and physically. We have to take exams that require us to memorise the different techniques.” Strong foundation In her training she focuses on building a strong foundation without trying to pass as many belts as quickly as possible. After eight strenuous years Xuan Yi finally got her black belt (first dan), which signifies that she has achieved a level of competency in the martial art. With the black belt comes a sense of self-achievement and respect. In 2009, Xuan Yi represented Singapore in the SEA (South East Asian) Games in the 52-57kg weight class. She was placed third in her division. Dedicated to the sport, Xuan Yi then travelled to China and Korea to train further, with the goal of getting a gold in the next SEA Games in 2011. Again she was placed third. In April 2012 she started training under Jeon Ki Young, the legendary Judoka from Korea. She is one of 10 students with the opportunity to train under him. Being a national athlete is not easy. Xuan Yi’s day begins at 5.30am when she undergoes high-intensity training for an hour in the gym. This is mostly weight-training to gain muscle strength. In the evening, she goes for Judo training for two hours. Training intensively and getting mentally prepared, Xuan Yi is eager to take part in the SEA Games in Myanmar in December 2013. This time, she definitely wants a gold. “In Judo, Singapore hasn’t won a gold since 1989 and I hope to change that. I want Judo to gain more attention here,” she says. Management studies After Judo the next most important thing is her academic studies at SIM GE. She’s into her second year in the BSc (Hons) Management programme at the University of London. Xuan Yi chooses Management because she wants to acquire a general understanding of business. The UOL course is examination-based which gives her flexibility to carry on her Judo training and participation in tournaments. “SIM is quite professional and provides really good customer service in every department. I can keep the sports coordinator up to date easily with my achievements. I can also approach my lecturers after class for further lesson,” Xuan Yi explains. In the event that she misses class, she would catch up by contacting the lecturers and other students. “I have been encouraged and supported to pursue my passion and I can keep up academically. I am able to strike a balance,” she adds. Xuan Yi drops by at the SIM Judo Club whenever she has time, to help train students who have just taken up the sport. “Watching the new students train is interesting and I would like to help out as much as possible,” she says. Xuan Yi expects to graduate in 2014 but she says she’s not keen on becoming a Judo coach. She was once a part-time coach/mentor in a secondary school and felt that role was stressful and intense. “It is very hard to watch your team lose and cry even when they have given it their best shot.” Her career interest is in event management and she hopes to work in a company organising conventions. “You can see the actual outcome of your work when you’re part of an event management team. This aspect fascinates me,” she says. Finally, when asked what she would do if someone tried to rob her, the golden girl of Judo laughs and says, “I would run. We are not supposed to use our skills against people as I can seriously injure them.” Written by Sameeksha Asher, published in VIBES magazine, March 2013. Sameeksha is a 2nd-year year at the BSc (Hons) Business Management programme, SIM-University of Birmingham. After her studies, Sameeksha hopes to start her own business back home in Chennai, India, and later do an MBA. In semi-final (picture, top), Xuan Yi (blue) spars with Lalita Torpaiboon (Thailand). In the final, Xuanyi (blue) scores against Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc (Vietnam).