THE SPORTIFY 26 January 2016
50 Cents
Kalai Vanen trains in Fengshan Community Gym thrice a week, for approximately two hours each training session. (Photo: Rachel Yeo)
VANEN’S ROOT TO SUCCESS RACHEL YEO highlights both the ordinary and extraordinary in the national powerlifter.
Kalai Vanen might be short of his left leg, but With his coach’s words, there is hardly any time The story of how he turned his life around from it certaintly did not prove to be a setback. for a grand celebration about his achievement. a struggling victim of disability to becoming a Paralympic medalist has earned rightful reverence When he was just 22, doctors told him that he After a mere one-week break, the brawny from the public. Media attention has increased had to amputate his left leg due to a cancerous powerlifter is already galvanizing back into ten-fold as well, having been interviewed by “every tumor. This meant that he would not be able to action, training for the Summer Paralympics in single media outlet in every language”, according walk without any support. Rio de Janeiro approaching this September. to the powerlifter himself. 24 years later, the 56-year-old recently went against his adversities when he represented Singapore in powerlifting at the 2015 ASEAN Paralympic Games, even though he was older than most of his competitors. In fact, the average retirement age of a sportsperson is 33; Vanen was close to twice of that. However, this did not stop the Paralympian from clinching the nation’s first bronze medal in the Men’s Powerlifting (up to 97kg) event on December 8. “I’m actually very proud of his performance knowing that he did his best, but the numbers weren’t what we expected because we were aiming higher,” said Muhammad Hidayat, 26, his able-bodied coach.
Despite his flinty exterior, Vanen has an affable personality that helps him to connect well with his peers in the gym. He never fails to ask his gym mates about how their lives have been and about their progress in their gym regimes.
However, Vanen has decided to remain less prominent as he wants to balance his reputation and maintain an ordinary lifestyle rather than being a celebrity sportsman.
“I have to be more careful because people have Clad in his signature sporty garb of a singlet a public perception for me, I have to maintain and shorts, the motivated sportsman wastes no it, at least for their sake,” he sighed. “It does get time in the gym and begins his training rou- tiring sometimes, especially when it comes to tines. His training ranges from bench presses picture-taking and signing autographs.” to bicep training. This does not mean he is unappreciative of the “We are concentrating on developing strength overwhelming support. In fact, he holds the batch and sharpening techniques, because on that day of encouraging letters given by his fans during (the upcoming competitions), it is a matter of the games closer to his heart as compared to the not just strength, but performing the strength prestigious bronze medal he worked so hard for. together with good technique,” said Vanen, giving an insight into his training strategy. (Continued on page 4)
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Weights are his strength, literally. Vanen’s record attempt during the ASEAN Para Games was 140kg at his first try. (Photo: Rachel Yeo)
Vanen’s achievement in the ASEAN Para Games has bought him a surge of new fans. It is also through the Games where he received fan mail for the first time. (Photo: Rachel Yeo)
Vanen’s exellence in sports has made him an inspirational figure, but he never allows fame to distract his focus to perform even better in future competitions. (Photo: Rachel Yeo)
Vanen’s relationship with his wife (right) involves two-way support through the simplest of acts. For instance, she helps prepare his meals while he runs errands for her. (Photo: Rachel Yeo)
A collage of family portraits in Vanen’s home, giving an insight to the people he treasures the most. (Photo: Rachel Yeo)
Vanen looks forward to home-cooked dinners made by his wife almost everyday. She is the one who makes sure that he is eating well for his career requirements. (Photo: Rachel Yeo)
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In Vanen’s humble words:
Medals don’t really have a sentimental value to me, I value human relationships more.
”
With that said, the people he values the most are his two children and wife of three decades, Harjindar Kaur. With their children currently studying abroad, the house is only filled by the husband-and-wife pair in their tranquil HDB flat.
More affectionately known as Jin, his wife is one year younger. Their love story began while they were still studying in university as classmates, when Vanen was still able-bodied. They have since endured numerous adversities, especially when Vanen was fraught with his illness that cost his left leg. Jin even risked ties with her own family who were doubtful about Vanen. “They [my family] never changed their minds. I got married to him against their wishes, ” she confessed. “But it’s been 27 years [of marriage], no regrets.” Religion was also another factor why Jin’s family are adamant towards their marriage even today. Jin and her family identify as Sikhs, and Vanen is a devout Hindu. But Jin’s support holds no boundaries as she assists her husband in every way she can offer, including his religious ones. While her husband was cleansing himself as a devotee prior to Thaipusam, a Hindu festival, Jin would prepare vegetarian meals like tofu and vegetable curry as part of his cleansing requirements. This year’s Thaipusam festival also reminded Vanen to stay rooted to his beliefs. There was no shadow of doubt kept him from going through the procession as his religion has taught him to be thankful with what he has at the present.
Milk pots adorn Vanen’s (left) body he began the Kavadi Attam (a ceremonial sacrifice performed by devotees to the Hindu God of Murugan. (Photo: Rachel Yeo)
“You must not let anything get in your way if you need to do something,” Vanen asserted on his decision to carry out the procession. Vanen’s positive mindset and support from his family and religion are the things that keep him morally grounded. This, in turn, is why the media and public are further inspired by his trials and tribulations. “They look up to me because I represent something in them, whether it’s being disabled but doing something that they cannot do, or they see a fighting spirit in me,” said Vanen optimistically. “If I’m able to bring out in them a certain feeling about my personality that impacts them in a positive way, then I’m happy for them.” (Special thanks to: The Gym Nation, Fengshan Community Club) Satisfied that he has completed his procession, Vanen rests after his arduous journey from Sri Srinivasa Perumial Temple to Sri Mariamman temple. (Photo: Rachel Yeo)