Nerissa has been training two hours a day for five days a week since January.
KUCHING: Nerissa Liu has invested in three solid months of training in preparation for the 10th Malaysian National Figure Skating Championship which starts at the Icescape Ice Rink, Putrajaya tomorrow.
The 16 year-old is the only athlete from Sarawak known to be competing in a winter sport.
It has been six years since she was introduced to figure skating. But she remains determined to take another big step towards fulfilling her ultimate dream of competing in the Winter Olympic Games.
There is no facility for winter sports in Sarawak.
Nerissa, however, is currently a Grade 13 student at the Chempaka International School, Kuala Lumpur.
She trains mainly at the Sunway Pyramid Ice Rink, one of three venues in the nation’s capital with facilities for figure skating.
Serious figure skaters in the country train to move up the various levels of competencies set by the Ice Skating Association of Malaysia.
Nerissa have gradually worked her way up the basic and novice stages. She is now aiming to be upgraded to the status of ‘Junior Skater’ in this year’s two-day national championships.
If she achieves that, she will then strive for the next grade to be a ‘Senior Skater.’ Only senior skaters are eligible for recognised international competitions that allow athletes to qualify for the Winter Olympic Games.
Kuching-born Nerissa has been training intensively since January this year.
That means at least two hours a day and five days a week.
It is physically and mentally demanding.
Competitive skaters are judged on their physical capabilities, consistency and grace while delivering choreographed routines lasting two to three minutes.
Nerissa admitted that she has been experiencing more stress and anxiety as the competition date gets nearer.
Having painstakingly put in many hours to master the elements making up her two new routines, she is also worried over her consistency in delivering the display as a whole.
But her determination to succeed has not wavered.
“If there’s a will, there’s a way,” she told The Borneo Post.
“Lots of exposure, training and overseas competition will do me good to qualify for the Winter Olympics one day.”
If she realises her dream, Nerissa will likely be the first from Sarawak to achieve that Olympic honour.