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LIVING & TRAVEL Interview with Antony Eng, Malaysian Olympic Swimmer Name: Antony Ang Age: 17 Home town: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia Olympic event: 100m and 200m Butterfly Favorite food: Home-cooked food Read more Team Malaysia Olympic coverage on Tripod!

Tripod continues its series on Malaysian Olympians with another swimming conversation -- this time with 17 year old Antony Ang. Tripod: How did you get involved in swimming? What age? Is it a big sport in Malaysia? Antony: I'm competitive by nature and I like water. I started swimming by the age of 7 and competitively by 10. Swimming is not a really big sport in Malaysia but I hope it will be someday. Tripod: What's your training schedule like, including out-of-water workouts? Are you a full-time student? AA: I'm a full-time student and swimmer in Bolles. Swim workouts here are very intensive compared to the workouts back at home. Tripod: Why are you training in the United States? Are there other Malaysian athletes besides the swimmers training here? AA: My first concern about why I'm training here is the knowledge and the advanced training techniques that the U.S. has. Secondly, the time schedule between school and swimming is much collaborate and moreover the equipments here are more sufficient and advanced. Tripod: Do you think there's a sense of community among the 34 Malaysian athletes (being such a small team), or do you not know the other athletes? AA: Yes, definitely, because most of the people and athletes that are going to the Olympics are old buddies since we've been to a lot of international meets. Tripod: Can you compare the differences between training resources and coaching in the United States vs. Malaysia? AA: Not really. However, since I'm training in U.S., I suggest that there is a big, really big difference between the two environments. Tripod: How do you think the Olympics are viewed in Malaysia? Is it a big deal to be an Olympic athlete? AA: Yes. My guess is most probably that eyes will be on us in Malaysia. Tripod: What are your hopes in the competition? Winning your event? A bronze medal? Breaking personal best times? Relays? AA: My main goal is focused on racing my best time and the national record. In the relays, we hope to beat the South East Asia champions (Thailand) in the 400 medley relay event. Tripod: Out of the 34 Malaysian athletes, who do you think is your best hope for a medal? Which event? AA: I would suggest that the Malaysian badminton squad would have the best bet for a medal in the Olympics among us. Tripod: Anything you want to say to your friends over in Malaysia who might be reading this? AA: Yeah: May only the best be with them and let no one stand in your way to achieve your dreams. Illustration by Federico Jordan, a freelance illustrator based in Mexico.