NATIONAL squash player Sanjay Jeeva admitted his Asian Games debut in Aichi-Nagoya came with immense pressure and high expectations, but thorough preparation helped him deliver a strong performance.
The 27-year-old credited his Master of Science (MSc) in High Performance Sport with giving him a fresh perspective on the game and a better understanding of how to prepare for major competitions.
“Having done my studies gave me more insight in how to handle and prepare myself at any high-level competition.
“The biggest takeaway from my Masters was the right preparation for the tournament, including the do’s-and-don’ts and the intensity level,” he told theSun.
Sanjay was part of the national squad that clinched men’s team gold with a 2-0 victory over Pakistan in the final.
The women’s team also struck gold, beating Hong Kong 2-1 to cap a successful campaign for Malaysia’s squash contingent.
Besides thorough preparation, Sanjay credited his teammates’ outstanding performances, particularly singles players Ng Eain Yow and S Sivasangari, for helping him through his Asian Games debut.
“Yow is someone I respect and look up to a lot despite he is just a year older than me. His success in individual event and being the best player gives us much-needed hope.
“It is also very motivating to have another national player, Sivasangari that is up there and had achieved what she had. It is just inspiring for us to work hard and to do well,” Sanjay added.
Both Ng and Sivasangari successfully defended their individual Asian Games gold medals, defeating India’s Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh respectively.
Their triumphs helped Malaysia enjoy a successful campaign, with the national contingent collecting nine gold, seven silver and 16 bronze medals to finish 11th overall.
Despite striking gold on his Asian Games debut, Sanjay has set his sights higher, with competing at the Olympics among his long-term ambitions.
“I had my sights set on qualifying for LA 2028, but I knew it was going to be tough and I had to perform really well.
“There’s still a chance for me to qualify, but I have to be very highly ranked. With almost a year and a half to go, I believe I can improve my ranking,” he added.
Sanjay is currently ranked world No. 59, but strong performances in tournaments leading up to the Olympics could boost his qualification chances alongside Ng, who has already secured his place following his Asian Games triumph.