Toughest Part Of Sport

Once driven to distraction, kayaker Brandon Ooi now focuses on himself

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National sprint kayaker Brandon Ooi is looking at the Olympics next year and at a medal at the 2022 Asian Games. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Brandon Ooi is looking at the Olympics next year and at a medal at the 2022 Asian Games ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
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To hear Brandon Ooi talk about speed is to listen to a man in a trance. Fast is his business, his addiction, his route to winning. Fast is sprinting through the water in a kayak quicker than he can run over long distances. Fast is his upper body slightly relaxed, his legs and abs working hard and his breathing even. Fast is the wind washing his face as he searches for efficiency.

But there's one slight problem. Brandon Ooi sometimes slows himself down. Not his speed, but his progress.

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