National swimmer Muhammad Isa Ahmad. who is more popularly known as Muis, is one of the hot prospects to represent Brunei at the Tokyo Olympics (which has now been postponed till 2021) and BruSports News got the chance to learn about his passion for the sport.
Q: If you you didn’t swim, what would you be doing?
A: This question Is actually a difficult one to answer because ever since I was a teen, I made my choices based around swimming.
I think if I didn’t swim right now I’d be studying or pursuing a career in the creative industry doing something like graphic design and marketing since I’ve always loved photography and then carried on to study it at A-Level.
I’m currently studying event management as well so I’ve always thought about going into that industry.
It’s hard to put a finger on exactly what I want to do outside of swimming because I’m just taking things one at a time and giving my full focus on the sport.
There was even a point in my teens when I was so determined to become a commercial or airforce pilot but that would mean I would have to drop swimming completely and not finish my undergraduate degree.
Sports wise I’d like to think I would’ve been a basketball or tennis player since those are probably my two favourite sports to watch and play.
Q: How did you get yourself into swimming?
A: Honestly speaking I didn’t get myself into swimming, my parents did and I’m glad they did!
My family have always been active and swimming was always our go to outdoor activity so that made me really comfortable in the water.
I also had regular swimming lessons with Coach Victor Tan (now coach of PPSC) at Mabohai just for learn to swim about twice a week and it just progressed from there.
During my time at ISB we also had multi-sport competitions with other schools and I was always stronger in swimming so that’s when my parents and I realised that was something I could be great at.
Q: Do you remember when you represented Brunei for the first time? What was it like?
A: The first time I represented Brunei was in the Philippines for the Southeast Asian Age Group Swimming Championships in 2010. it was definitely one of the most memorable competitions!
My sister Hamizah, Christian and Nathaniel Nikles, Tiara Anwar and myself were all juniors amongst seniors like Anderson Lim, Maria Grace Koh, Jeremy Joint Riong, Tiffany Liew and it was really fun.
I remember being really scared before my race but we managed to pull off some PBs!
It was a real eye opener when I was at that age as it showed me how much work I needed to put in.
Q: Of the different disciplines in swimming, how did you know breaststroke is the one for you?
A: I enjoy breaststroke because it was super technical - it requires really accurate technique, flexibility, skill and I enjoy working on all of those.
It made racing and training more interesting but also more difficult. And from enjoying it, I worked harder on that stroke and started to break records in that category.
Q: Which swimmer do you idolise and why?
A: I really look up to Caeleb Dressel, the man is a beast in the water. I watched him break the world record for 100 fly in South Korea last year and you just get goosebumps watching him compete.
He seems like a nice guy too, no fuss, and just gets on with it. He also does a podcast weekly on YouTube and it’s s great listen as it gives me a sense of connection to someone I idolise.
He just makes you realise any normal person can be a world class swimmer as long as you put in the work.
Q: What is the best moment of your swimming career so far and why?
A: For me, the small wins are always the best ones. So one of the more memorable moments of my career was in February this year during training actually.
I was having a really bad day, showed up to training and saw a really tough set written down on the board and I really didn’t want to do it.
But I just got on with it and actually enjoyed the grind of that training session.
It was tough but after a while during all that physical pain, I felt really happy with where I was, doing what I needed to do with some of my best training partners.
I think it’s just that realisation of being content with where I was at the time and in the moment.
Plus I just had that feeling of overcoming a hard block of training because I was really struggling to hit times I needed in training prior to that. I ended up swimming some great training times too so that was great.
Q: What other targets have you set for yourself?
A: In the midst of COVID-19, it’s kind of hard to think of a target right now because of all the uncertainty.
But with Olympics being postponed to next year, I’m lucky and have an extra 400 days to get better and hopefully swim a time that’ll get me to Tokyo!
Q: You are very close to Christian Nikles. How would you describe your relationship with him?
A: Yeah me and Chris are super close. We’ve known each other for about 18 years now and some of my best memories in life include Chris in them too.
We were in the same school together through primary and secondary then even went to the same boarding school together for sixth form.
We really motivate each other everyday in training and I think if Chris wasn’t there I don’t know if I’d still be swimming or how I am now. He’s family!
Q: When do you think you will retire from the sport?
A: Not any time soon. I can’t really answer this because I don’t even know!
Q: Do you think you will coach after retirement?
A: Yeah I’ve thought about it. I’ve had some experience with coaching at ISB and it was great.
Whether its coaching through swimming or general fitness I’m not sure but I really enjoy helping others.
Q: Before we end this interview, any advice you want to give any up and coming swimmers?
A: Don’t breathe on your first stroke off the wall, don’t miss training and don’t be afraid to push yourself.
