By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Sept 30: Long before his feet could touch the bottom of a pool, Hii Puong Wei had already begun making waves in the aquatic’s world. At a mere 16, he was scouted for Malaysia’s national swimming team, an outstanding feat that set him apart from his usual peers. Now, at 21-years-old, Puong Wei has competed in three Malaysian Games (Sukma), collecting an impressive array of medals: four bronzes during his debut in Perak 2018 across individual and relay events.
Undeterred, he surged forward in the Sukma 2022 held in Kuala Lumpur, where he clinched three golds in the 100m breaststroke, 100m backstroke, and 200m backstroke, alongside a silver and four bronze medals. By Sukma XXI Sarawak 2024, Puong Wei had further solidified his place among the nation’s top swimmers, taking home two gold medals in the 200m and 100m backstroke and a bronze in the 4×100 relay.
Backstroke is his most formidable strength, though he knows there’s always room for improvement. With each determined stroke, he chases progress, driven by an unwavering discipline that has shaped him into a powerful presence in the water. Today, he is more than just a swimmer; he is a national contender with his sights set on the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Commonwealth Games, and ultimately, the pinnacle of sporting achievement—the Olympics.
An unlikely beginning
Puong Wei’s relationship with water began almost as soon as he could walk. Raised in a household where swimming was as natural as breathing—his father, a former swimmer who encouraged all his children to take up the sport—he found himself drawn to the water. While his brothers eventually drifted away from the sport, Puong Wei’s passion for swimming became a defining aspect of his life.
He started his first preliminary strokes in the local pools of Kuching, but it wasn’t until he turned eight that he began swimming competitively. He quickly realised that the water was more than just a place of play; it was a domain where he felt truly alive, challenging himself with every breath. While it may have been his father’s influence that led Puong Wei to take his first swim, he eventually grew to love the sport, particularly as it brought new friends and opportunities to travel the world.
The price of ambition
But the road to greatness seldom comes without its burdens. At 16, when most teenagers are still adjusting to secondary school life, Puong Wei left home for Kuala Lumpur to train at the Bukit Jalil Sports School. For him, it wasn’t a question of leaving; it was a step toward a larger dream.
“I saw many of my friends leave at a much younger age than me, 13 or 14. So for me (being 16-years-old), it was okay,” he reflected, words tinged with both acceptance and steadfastness.
The distance from his family, the unfamiliarity of a new city, and the relentless training regime could have broken his spirit, but instead, it strengthened him. His days now revolve around four-hour training sessions six days a week, with Sundays reserved for rest and recovery. Even when injuries threatened to slow him down—strained shoulders, aching hips—he never allowed them to halt his progress.
The longest break he ever took was during the movement control order (MCO) lockdown following Covid-19, and Puong Wei remains deeply grateful that he has never faced injuries severe enough to prevent him from competing.
Between strokes and studies
Beyond the chlorine and competition, Puong Wei is always a student, currently pursuing a degree in Software Engineering at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU). He manages the dual demands of swimming and academics with remarkable poise. Time management is crucial in balancing his love for computers and his commitment to swimming.
Apart from mastering the backstroke, Puong Wei also expressed interest in exploring new frontiers, like trying his hand at archery because of the skill and focus it demands.
The heart of his journey, however, is his family. His father, the man who first sent Puong Wei into the waters and taught him how to swim, remains a guiding force, and his younger brother, Puong Jie, follows closely in his wake.
For now, Puong Wei’s focus remains in the waters ahead, on the races yet to be swum, and the goals yet to be achieved. He remains hopeful that Malaysia has a promising future in the world of swimming.
In every stroke, lies his ambition, strength of character and the unyielding spirit that defines him. For Puong Wei, the journey continues—a journey of proving, pushing, and knowing that somewhere in the waters lies his destiny, waiting to be claimed. — DayakDaily
