Singapore #Fitspo of the Week: National kayakers Stephenie Chen, Sarah Chen and Suzanne Seah
Strong is the new sexy and fitness is the new party. With society leaning towards health and fitness, Yahoo's #Fitspo of the Week series is dedicated to all inspirational women in Singapore leading active lifestyles. Know of any who deserve to be featured? Hit me up on CherylTay.sg and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (cheryltaysg).
Name: Stephenie Chen (left) / Sarah Chen (right) / Suzanne Seah (centre)
Age: 24 / 22 / 25
Height: 163 / 165 / 160
Weight: 61.5 / 60 / 48
Occupation: Student / Student / Full-time athlete
Status: Single / Attached / Attached
Training: 11 times a week of up to three hours per session of kayak, weights, cardio
What kind of sports did you do as a kid?
Steph: I didn’t play sports as a kid actually. I only joined track in secondary school!
Sarah: I played netball in primary and secondary school. I’ve always loved team sports and I like ball games too.
Suzanne: None at all! I was completely sedentary.
How and when did you girls get into kayaking?
Steph: My oldest sister was on the national team and she got Sarah and I to try it out. I joined the sport when I was in junior college
Sarah: I started kayaking at the end of secondary school because my sisters (as Steph mentioned) were in the national team and seemed like they were having fun. They made it look easier than it actually is, which I only realised after I started. I also wanted to try for the Youth Olympics then.
Suzanne: I started in secondary school. A friend that I really looked up to wanted to join kayaking, so I just copied.
What was your first competition?
Steph: I started competing in my second year in junior college, in the national women championships and I came in second in the K2 500 category.
Sarah: I started competing as soon as I could balance in a K1, mainly for experience and fun. My first K1 race ended with me in the water as I got too excited thinking I could actually finish it. I also took part in the Round Ubin with my sister Steph and we made that fun by having a picnic during the race!
Suzanne: My first competition was inn year one of junior college in the National Junior Canoeing Championships T1 1000. I didn’t even make it past the heats, oops.
When did you start representing Singapore?
Steph: My first international race was in 2009 at the World Junior where I made the B Final.
Sarah: 2011 South East Asian Canoeing Championships as a junior.
Suzanne: 2008 South East Asian Canoeing Championships as a junior in the Women K4 1000.
What’s your greatest achievement?
Steph: Retaining the gold for K2 200 at the last SEA Games and also winning the K2 500 also in 2013.
Sarah: Fourth in the K2 200 ACC. I didn't train much with Steph then as she had other more important teamboats to do, and I was also busy with my own school and training commitments, but we managed to do much better than we expected. We just paddled as fast as we could to the end; or rather, Steph was dragging me past the line.
Suzanne: Top 5 at the Asian Canoeing Championships in Uzbekistan! Also defending the gold for K2 200 at the SEA Games 2013 and winning the K2 500m (with Steph).
How did you achieve this body of yours? Purely from kayaking training or more?
Steph: Training with the national team includes kayaking, weights and cardio training. I don't really have energy to do anything else!
Sarah: Yup, purely from kayaking training since we have an all-rounded training programme. Plus we don't have any more energy left to expend elsewhere!
Has anyone told you that you’re too muscular for a female?
Steph: Haha I've got comments like that for sure, such as "rugged", "man", "those arms!!" but I take it in my stride. It used to bother me quite a bit, but when you race internationally you see everyone else larger than you so it's necessary. Sometimes I get comments like, “Can I touch?”
Sarah: My mum tells us that all the time and so does the mirror. But oh well, it’s better than being fat! I don't mind the muscle bulk; I just don't like the veins that seem to pop out everywhere. My friends also like to touch my muscles and often use me to scare their smaller-sized boyfriends.
What keeps you motivated?
Steph: My team-mates and the challenge of having to keep improving. I’ve been at it for so long that I wouldn’t know what else to do with my time.
Sarah: My sister and team-mates keep me motivated. Seeing them improve and get faster makes me want to be as fast as them.
Suzanne: My partner Steph.
Have you had days where you don’t feel like training?
Steph: Definitely... You whine about it to whoever will listen and then you just get cracking!
Sarah: All the time! Sundays are the worst days because you start to dread the start of the training week… But I just pig out, get happy and look forward to what I want to achieve out of this.
Suzanne: Yes. I just get out of bed and since I’m out already I might as well go and make the best out of it.
Why should people make an effort to keep fit and exercise regularly?
Steph: It’s not easy but it's good for you as it makes you look and feel good!
Sarah: Besides the obvious health and looks benefits, I believe human beings aren't made to be sedentary. Exercise is a way we can connect with other people while keeping your body and mind active. Don’t just sit at the computer all day. Simple things like sit-ups and push-ups should be second nature. Exercise is a necessity like food and water, otherwise what will happen when you're old?
Suzanne: So that they get to enjoy the later part of their lives injury and illness free. It’s not guaranteed but there’s a higher probability!
