Students Anastase Guillou of International School Brunei (ISB) and Soon Kai Li of Chung Hwa Middle School were among the 34 who received incentives at the Record-Breaking Incentive Presentation Ceremony for athletics and swimming games of the 2nd Brunei Darussalam Schools Games (BDSG) 2024 on Thursday.
Anastase expressed pride in being selected, noting that the recognition serves as a strong motivation to continue improving in future races.
The 17-year-old shared that his personal drive comes from constantly striving to beat his own records and goals. Initially, he took up swimming as a form of exercise, but after performing well in early competitions at the age of nine, he began taking the sport more seriously.
“I find swimming to be a great sport to push myself and prove that hard work pays off. When I get bad results, it upsets me because I’ve put in so much effort, but those moments also fuel my passion,” he said. He credited his parents for their support, from taking him to practice to attending every competition. He also expressed gratitude to his swimming coach at ISB for pushing him to his limits and helping him reach his full potential.
“Even on days when I don’t feel motivated, I can always count on them to help me rediscover my love for the sport,” he added.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Soon Kai Li, who represented Chung Hwa Middle School at last year’s BDSG, also expressed pride in being selected and setting a new game record.
“It’s a reminder that my efforts are paying off and that I should aim even higher. Breaking the game record has given me a huge confidence boost and motivated me to train even harder for my upcoming competitions,” she said.
Now a student at ISB, Kai Li shared that her determination in athletics stems from her goal of breaking the national record.
She hopes that achieving this milestone will not only be a personal accomplishment but also an inspiration to others. Her passion for the sport comes from the joy and excitement she experiences during training and competitions.
She finds the sense of achievement after hard work particularly rewarding.
“This sport has taught me the importance of discipline and perseverance, shaping me into a better person,” she reflected.
Kai Li attributed her success to her parents, whom she described as her biggest supporters. “Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. They have always been there for me, making countless sacrifices and celebrating my achievements,” she said. – Lyna Mohamad
