LEVEL UP YOUR GAME

What does it take to have an athlete's winning mindset? Tatler delves into the minds of three Malaysian athletes to gain further insights on achieving that mental "edge" to win in life

- Elizabeth Soong

Ever wondered what makes elite athletes great and successful? While sports are often associated with winning medals and championships, the true source of a professional athlete’s triumphs is not defined by external accolades but by their continuous drive to outperform themselves. To attain that level of greatness, they need to surpass their own limitations and continually raise the bar. That relentless pursuit to perfect their form and achieve their goals is determined by what is called “The Athlete’s Mindset,” instigating individuals to perform at the highest level.

We too can embrace an Athlete’s Mindset and channel it towards selfimprovement and personal growth. To gain further insights, Tatler speaks to pro-golfer Kelly Tan, former Olympic diver Leong Mun Yee, and ex-national taekwondo champion Sara Yap so that we may learn from their experiences and cultivate a winning mentality in our own lives.

GET INTO THE RIGHT MINDSET

Resilience, focus and strong inner confidence enable individuals to persevere through challenges, maintain their concentration amid distractions and have the confidence to shield them from external negativity. For taekwondo gold medallist Yap, who represented Malaysia in the 2019 Asian Open, 2019 Korean Open, 2018 US Open, and 2017 SEA Games, positive selftalk was crucial in getting into the correct mindset. “If I ever worried about making a mistake during my performance, I would usually reason with myself, not see things in black or white, and [avoid] jumping to conclusions. [This allows me] to find middle ground with myself in my mind.”