KUALA LUMPUR: Night training will be part of national archer Cheng
Chu Sian’s preparations for the Olympic Games after struggling with
blurry vision during the World Cup in Shanghai last week.
Chu Sian, who had undergone surgery for retinal detachment in his left eye, had found it hard to focus during his semi-final against eventual champion Brady Ellison of the United States – especially when the contest was held almost close to dusk.
“The weather was cold and the sun went down about 5pm daily in Shanghai. During the semi-finals, there was a delay and the organisers set up spotlights so that the competition could go on. It affected my vision and I was unable to stay focused,” said Chu Sian after the launch of the NSC-100Plus Road to London television series at Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Eye on safety: Cheng Chu Sian does not drive much at night anymore due to his blurry vision
A
day later, under bright sunlight, he came back stronger to nail his
first ever bronze medal in the World Cup series when he defeated
Frenchman Thomas Aubert in the third place playoff to show that he was
on the right track to win a medal in London.
Chu Sian said his eye problem started after he had won two gold medals and a silver at last year’s SEA Games in Jakarta.
“I had undergone an eye-laser (lasik) procedure five years ago and had to go for my normal check-up in Penang. Last December, however, I was informed that I had retinal detachment in my left eye and needed surgery.
“My right eye was also affected, but not as badly, and I got it treated during the Chinese New Year period,” said Chu Sian.
Without proper treatment, the entire retina could get detached, leading to blindness.
“Prior to the surgery, I was having a headache and fever during the SEA Games and didn’t know the reason for it.
“I’m glad that I have sorted it out but my recent experience at the World Cup showed that I couldn’t shoot accurately after daylight. In fact, I don’t even drive at night that much,” said Chu Sian, who is working with chief coach Lee Jae-hyung for any eventuality – even the possibility of competing at night.
“Fortunately, the London Games are in summer when the days are longer. But anything can happen and I want to be ready for it.
“My coach and I decided to include night training once in a while so that I can get used to it,” added Chu Sian.
He will now get ready for the second leg of the World Cup in Turkey next week.
He will leave with team-mates Khairul Anuar Mohd and Haziq Kamaruddin on Saturday. In Shanghai a week ago, the men’s team were beaten in the opening round by Taiwan.
“Honestly, I have competed in many other tournaments where the temperature had dipped below 5 degrees Celcius but it was really cold in Shanghai.
“I was able to adjust but my team-mates found it really hard to handle it.
“This affected their game but, overall, it was a good experience for us. The weather will be warmer in Turkey but we will have to deal with strong winds because the shooting range is near the seaside.
“I’m confident that the more we get used to these challenges, the stronger we will become as a team,” he added.
After the Turkey trip, Chu Sian and company will spend a month training in South Korea before taking part in the pre-Olympic qualifier at the third leg of the World Cup in the United States in June.
THE STAR
Chu Sian, who had undergone surgery for retinal detachment in his left eye, had found it hard to focus during his semi-final against eventual champion Brady Ellison of the United States – especially when the contest was held almost close to dusk.
“The weather was cold and the sun went down about 5pm daily in Shanghai. During the semi-finals, there was a delay and the organisers set up spotlights so that the competition could go on. It affected my vision and I was unable to stay focused,” said Chu Sian after the launch of the NSC-100Plus Road to London television series at Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Eye on safety: Cheng Chu Sian does not drive much at night anymore due to his blurry visionChu Sian said his eye problem started after he had won two gold medals and a silver at last year’s SEA Games in Jakarta.
“I had undergone an eye-laser (lasik) procedure five years ago and had to go for my normal check-up in Penang. Last December, however, I was informed that I had retinal detachment in my left eye and needed surgery.
“My right eye was also affected, but not as badly, and I got it treated during the Chinese New Year period,” said Chu Sian.
Without proper treatment, the entire retina could get detached, leading to blindness.
“Prior to the surgery, I was having a headache and fever during the SEA Games and didn’t know the reason for it.
“I’m glad that I have sorted it out but my recent experience at the World Cup showed that I couldn’t shoot accurately after daylight. In fact, I don’t even drive at night that much,” said Chu Sian, who is working with chief coach Lee Jae-hyung for any eventuality – even the possibility of competing at night.
“Fortunately, the London Games are in summer when the days are longer. But anything can happen and I want to be ready for it.
“My coach and I decided to include night training once in a while so that I can get used to it,” added Chu Sian.
He will now get ready for the second leg of the World Cup in Turkey next week.
He will leave with team-mates Khairul Anuar Mohd and Haziq Kamaruddin on Saturday. In Shanghai a week ago, the men’s team were beaten in the opening round by Taiwan.
“Honestly, I have competed in many other tournaments where the temperature had dipped below 5 degrees Celcius but it was really cold in Shanghai.
“I was able to adjust but my team-mates found it really hard to handle it.
“This affected their game but, overall, it was a good experience for us. The weather will be warmer in Turkey but we will have to deal with strong winds because the shooting range is near the seaside.
“I’m confident that the more we get used to these challenges, the stronger we will become as a team,” he added.
After the Turkey trip, Chu Sian and company will spend a month training in South Korea before taking part in the pre-Olympic qualifier at the third leg of the World Cup in the United States in June.
THE STAR
Comments
Post a Comment