KUALA LUMPUR: Former World Masters Championships gold medallist Cindy Ong is looking to fully focus on coaching and reviving her competitive swimming career after having completed a lengthy and messy divorce last week.
The divorce, initiated in 2020, took almost three years to conclude due to various complications, which included a custody battle for her three children aged 6, 9 and 13.
Cindy, 39, said the whole process took a huge toll on her and her family.
"It is a big relief.
"Personally, I was affected mentally, physically and financially. It put a huge strain on myself, my children and even my mother.
"Surviving on my own (financially) and also having to come up with huge legal fees every time we went to court drained me of almost everything I had.
"At one point, I was driving around without air-conditioning for three months because I was afraid to spend what little money I had left.
"Now that it (divorce) has been settled, I am looking forward to fully focusing on coaching again.
"I have a talented group of swimmers coming up the ranks and I hope to help them achieve their true potential by sharing my knowledge with them."
Competitively, Cindy has not seen much action since winning five gold and two silver medals at the 2019 Gwangju World Masters Championships.
The Ipoh-born said her health had been hampered by illness, though did not want to delve into details.
She ruled out the possibility of competing at the Doha World Championships in February, but could attempt a comeback at the 2025 world meet in Singapore.
"It (illness) has affected me physically and has also caused me to put on weight," said Cindy.
"Doha is out of the question, I don't think there is enough time for me to adequately prepare, but Singapore is very likely (to happen).
"If I am to compete, I want to be in a condition which allows me to fight for gold.
"It wouldn't be fun for me to compete for anything other than gold," she added in jest.