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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sports psychologist debunks 'think positive' mantra for athletes [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: The age-old mantra of "just think positive" may be doing more harm than good for Malaysian athletes, warns a top sports psychologist. Philip Lew, who has worked with national athletes under the Road to Gold programme and Selangor Red Giants' eSports team, believes true mental resilience comes not from silencing negative thoughts, but from learning how to manage them effectively. "It's extremely difficult to simply think positively, especially when you're facing the pressure of major competitions," said Philip on Timesport: On The Beat, airing Tuesday. "As long as you're human, you will have negative thoughts. It's not a problem unless it becomes one." Rather than pushing unrealistic positivity, Philip promotes a more practical, empowering approach that encourages athletes to acknowledge fear and reframe it. One of his go-to methods? A simple but powerful mindset shift called the "But" technique. "An athlete might say, 'I couldn't do it.' That's a normal reaction. But you follow it with something constructive — '...but I'll try again' or '...but I've trained hard for this.'" "You're not denying how you feel. You're redirecting your focus to what comes next." Philip says the method allows athletes to process tough emotions without spiralling, creating a mental bridge between fear and renewed focus. He also reminds fans that elite athletes aren't immune to stress and anxiety. "They're normal people doing extraordinary things," he said. "We must accept that they can be vulnerable too. The pressure to be perfect is immense." While occasional doubts are normal, Philip warns that unchecked negativity can damage both daily life and sporting performance. "If it starts interfering with your life, then it's time to get professional help." Philip's approach shifts the conversation away from shallow, toxic positivity and towards real-world mental tools that prepare athletes for the highs and lows of elite sport. "It's not about thinking happy thoughts all the time," he said. "It's about building the mental skills to move forward — even when the thoughts aren't happy."
![Sports psychologist debunks 'think positive' mantra for athletes - Ep61 [TIMESPORT PODCAST]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FHQ2507213076_1753160409.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sports psychologist debunks 'think positive' mantra for athletes - Ep61 [TIMESPORT PODCAST]
KUALA LUMPUR: The age-old mantra of "just think positive" may be doing more harm than good for Malaysian athletes, warns a top sports psychologist. Philip Lew, who has worked with national athletes under the Road to Gold programme and Selangor Red Giants' eSports team, believes true mental resilience comes not from silencing negative thoughts, but from learning how to manage them effectively. "It's extremely difficult to simply think positively, especially when you're facing the pressure of major competitions," said Philip on Timesport: On The Beat, airing Tuesday. "As long as you're human, you will have negative thoughts. It's not a problem unless it becomes one." Rather than pushing unrealistic positivity, Philip promotes a more practical, empowering approach that encourages athletes to acknowledge fear and reframe it. One of his go-to methods? A simple but powerful mindset shift called the "But" technique. "An athlete might say, 'I couldn't do it.' That's a normal reaction. But you follow it with something constructive — '...but I'll try again' or '...but I've trained hard for this.'" "You're not denying how you feel. You're redirecting your focus to what comes next." Philip says the method allows athletes to process tough emotions without spiralling, creating a mental bridge between fear and renewed focus. He also reminds fans that elite athletes aren't immune to stress and anxiety. "They're normal people doing extraordinary things," he said. "We must accept that they can be vulnerable too. The pressure to be perfect is immense." While occasional doubts are normal, Philip warns that unchecked negativity can damage both daily life and sporting performance. "If it starts interfering with your life, then it's time to get professional help." Philip's approach shifts the conversation away from shallow, toxic positivity and towards real-world mental tools that prepare athletes for the highs and lows of elite sport. "It's not about thinking happy thoughts all the time," he said. "It's about building the mental skills to move forward — even when the thoughts aren't happy."
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
BAM open for pros Sze Fei-Izzuddin to train under Herry
Duo on a mission: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will be defending their China Open title in the tourney starting today in Changzhou. PETALING JAYA: Independent men's doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani can train under coach Herry Iman Pierngadi through a win-win arrangement with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). If both sides are agreeable, pros Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who are currently under the Road to Gold (RTG) Olympic programme, can work with BAM to arrange scheduled joint training sessions under Herry. BAM secretary-general Kenny Goh said that the national body had always been open for professionals to train at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) on a scheduled basis. 'We have no problems to accept them to train with us, perhaps on a scheduled basis. At the moment, there isn't any request from them,' said Kenny. Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who left BAM at the end of August last year to turn independent, seemed interested to return to the national fold a few months ago but they did not follow through. The possibility may have been more attractive for the duo due to the presence of Herry, who replaced Tan Bin Shen as the men's doubles head coach in February. The legendary Indonesian has already made his mark, guiding Aaron-Wooi Yik to the Asian Championships, Singapore Open and Thailand Open titles and helped Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun triumph in the Malaysian Masters. Sze Fei-Izzuddin also had praised Herry's coaching after taking part in joint training sessions in the lead-up to the Sudirman Cup in April. After a dip in form, the pair seem to have regained some of their best performances in the Japan Open where they finished runners-up to South Korea's Seo Seung-jae-Kim Won-ho in Tokyo on Sunday. It was Sze Fei-Izzuddin's first final since capturing the Indian Open in January. The pair are next attempting to defend their China Open title in the tourney starting today in Changzhou. Sze Fei-Izzuddin have a tricky opening match against South Korea's Kang Min-hyuk-Ki Dong-ju. Meanwhile, Aaron-Wooi Yik will face Denmark's Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard in the first round and will be out to make amends after a shock opening round exit at the hands of fellow Malaysians Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi in Japan. The other Malaysians in the fray in the men's doubles are Wei Chong-Kai Wun, Yew Sin-Ee Yi, Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi, Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian.
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
BAM are open for pros Sze Fei-Izzuddin to train under Herry
PETALING JAYA: Independent men's doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani can train under coach Herry Iman Piengadi through a win-win arrangement with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). If both sides are agreeable, pros Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who are currently under the Road to Gold (RTG) Olympic programme, can work with BAM to arrange scheduled joint training sessions under Herry. BAM secretary general Kenny Goh said that the national body had always been open for professionals to train at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) on a scheduled basis. "We have no problems to accept them to train with us, perhaps on a schedule basis. At the moment, there isn't any request from them," said Kenny. Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who left BAM at the end of August last year to turn independent, it seems had expressed an interest to return to the national fold a few months ago but they did not follow through. The possibility may have been more attractive for the duo due to the presence of Herry, who replaced Tan Bin Shen as the men's doubles head coach in February. The legendary Indonesian has already made his mark, guiding Aaron-Wooi Yik to the Asian Championships, Singapore Open and Thailand Open titles and helped Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun triumph in the Malaysian Masters. Sze Fei-Izzuddin also had praised Herry's coaching after taking part in joint training sessions in the lead-up to the Sudirman Cup in April. After a dip in form, the pair seem to have regained some of their best in the Japan Open where they finished runners-up to South Korea's Seo Seung-jae-Kim Won-ho in Tokyo on Sunday. It was Sze Fei-Izzuddin's first final since capturing the Indian Open in January. The pair are next attempting to defend their China Open title in the tourney starting today in Changzhou. Sze Fei-Izzuddin have a tricky opening match against Korea's Kang Min-hyuk-Ki Dong-ju. Meanwhile, Aaron-Wooi Yik will face Denmark's Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard in the first round and will be out to make amends after a shock opening round exit at the hands of fellow Malaysians Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi in Japan. The other Malaysians in the fray in the men's doubles are Wei Chong-Kai Wun, Yew Sin-Ee Yi, Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi, Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian.
The Star
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Nicol urges caution over placing too high hopes on Sangari, Eain Yow at 2028 Olympics
Malaysia's S. Sivasangari defeated Japan's world N0. 7 Satomi Watanabe to reach the quarter-finals of the British Open squash championships for the first time. PETALING JAYA: It would be folly to put too high hopes on squash players S. Sivasangari and Ng Eain Yow to deliver the goods in the sport's Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028. National squash legend Datuk Nicol David warned that it is still too early to expect too much from Sivasangari and Eain Yow, adding that anything can happen in the next three years, including fiercer competition from other countries. World No. 8 Sivasangari has been placed in the Road to Gold programme this year while Eain Yow, by virtue of his current 12th position in the men's world rankings, is under the Fast Track programme. "It is too early. In three years, many things can happen. We don't want to put pressure on our athletes to win anything because squash is a new sport in Los Angeles,'' said Nicoll, who is also the founder of Nicol David Organisation (NDO). "Countries such as China and South Korea have also started investing aggressively in squash development knowing that the sport is going to be played in the Olympics for the first time. "The competition for LA28 is going to be more challenging with new dynamics coming into play. "Many countries are now spending big funds and aim to bring up many athletes to compete in the Olympics. We need to be fully prepared because the competition will only get tougher. "Malaysia cannot take anything for granted just because we also have players like Sivasangari and Eain Yow who are able to contend on the world stage.'' The former world No. 1 described the RTG and Fast Track initiatives as the best platform to help Sivasangari and Eain Yow compete with international players. "I am proud that squash is now standing in line with other elite sports when two of our country's representatives are selected to participate in this programme. RTG and Fast Track are the best form of support to help them reach a higher level."
