LETTERS: Squash player Sivasangari Subramaniam, the world No. 13, stunned higher ranked international players to lift the London Classic championship trophy.
The Cornell University press called her victory a "crucible of transformation", having witnessed her growth from an underdeveloped talented athlete to a formidable force in elite squash competition.
"Her academic pursuit in working towards a degree in Science and Agriculture, was equalled only by her relentless striving for excellence in playing squash, her lifelong passion."
She credits the Cornell community for "pushing me beyond my normal limits, and teaching me the value of discipline, resilience and an unwavering belief in my own abilities".
She goes on to say: "The friends and diverse community I embraced moulded me into a compassionate, empowered individual, ready to conquer the world."
Sivasangari credits her Cornell coach, David Palmer, as an exceptional mentor and guide, and for giving her the confidence to take risks, push her limits and to embrace the challenges that come with elite competition.
It was through his training and mentorship that she won the 2022 CSA Individual Championship, a first for Cornell University.
An accident in 2022 stopped her momentarily. She bounced back 18 months later with the support of her family, coaches and sponsors.
She also worked on an online mental training programme under Jesse Engelbrecht, a former Zimbabwe and South African international player.
Sivasangari had also won in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, last year.
But her victories over world No. 1, Nour El Sherbini, world No. 2, Hania El Hammamy and world No. 4, Nele Gilis of Belgium in London will give her extra motivation.
The highlight was the five-set thriller where Sivasangari beat El Hammamy to clinch the win in the gold level tournament with a score of 11-9; 5-11; 13-11; 12-14; 11-8.
She should now aim for the gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
At the same time, her win should provide Malaysian athletes, including the Road to Gold Paris Olympics sportsmen and women the confidence that they too can aim high and hoist the Jalur Gemilang in Paris and beyond.
C. SATHASIVAM SITHERAVELLU
Seremban, Negri Sembilan
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times