Maziah Mahusin is no stranger in Brunei as she is the Sultanate's first ever female Olympian after competing at the 2012 London Olympics. It is coming up to almost eight years since her race and she took a time out to speak to us at BruSports News on her life now.
Q: Tell us some things we don't know about Maziah Mahusin.
A: I am actually a shy person but I pretend that I am not. I have low confidence and low self esteem when I was a kid and during high school but I pretended to be strong so I wouldn’t get bullied.
I joined a lot of activities in school in order to boost my confidence level. My first sport was actually hockey where I played for a year and even made it to the national team.
I also joined spoken poetry in high school which I consider an embarrassing moment during my high school life.
Music was another CCA that I joined because I wanted to learn how to play the drums and guitar. I also participated in the choir because I love singing!
Q: How about your taste in music?
A: I am a heavy metal person. I listen to heavy metal rock songs since I was a kid (influenced by my father, brother and sister).
Some of the bands that I listen to include Lamb of God, Metallica, Dimmu Bogir, H.I.M, Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin and Asking Alexendria. I’m not the girly type of person and I hate PINK.
Q: How has life changed after you competed at the 2012 London Olympics?
A: My life changed a lot as I learned more about life and to be more grateful.
I learned that in order to achieve something, you really need to be patient and have the commitment, discipline and the ability to accept failure.
I feel overwhelmed by hearing some people are motivated by what I achieved and start doing sports. I was invited to so many schools and companies to give motivational talks and share my experience.
Even the world recognised me for being the first female athlete from Brunei to join the Olympics. I never ever thought of this.
Some companies were also willing to sponsor me stuffs like clothes, food and drinks and so on. I feel really grateful for that.
Q: You had surgery on your right heel to remove the Calcaneal spurs that has been bugging you since 2010 in July 2017. How difficult was it for you to get back into form especially after that?
A: I felt depressed in the beginning. But I didn’t let it control my mind. After two months of surgery, I went back to the stadium gym to do upper body workout eventhough I was still in crutches and needed the wheelchair with the help of coach John (former strength and conditioning coach).
I couldn’t stand just staying at home, eating and watching TV only. I needed to do something productive.
After I recovered a bit and started to be able to walk slowly, it took me a year to do slow speed.
Even the Dr said that I cannot run 100m anymore because 40% of my tendon is gone on my right leg, but I didn’t really listen to him.
I did a lot of strength workout for my right leg and until now I am able to do full sprints! I just need to fight with my own mentality and it is super hard but Alhamdulillah, I managed to overcome it.
[Related Story: Maziah working her way back after successful surgery]
Q: If not for athletics, what sport you think you would be doing?
A: Hockey.
Q: What do you think is the best memory to date for athletics asides from the Olympics?
A: There are so many fun memories but the best is every time the athletics team gets sent to competitions such as the Borneo Games and BIPM-EAGA Games. We always motivate each other before and after competition.
I really miss hanging out, shopping and eating together with the team like family and making funny jokes.
Q: Do you remember your first ever outing with the athletics national team and what it was like?
A: My first outing with the national team was in 2007 to Teluk Danga, Johor. It was nerve wrecking and exciting at the same time.
It was my first time meeting with athletes from other countries. I saw from their physical appearance that they are professional, and I was just a small skinny french fry.
I was so focused for that competition and at the same time couldn’t wait to finish my race.
In my mind I thought I could beat them eventhough it was my first international competition but they ended the race way ahead of me.
I thought it would be the same feeling when I compete in the National Games but it was totally different. From there I learned my lesson that I need to improve further.
The best thing after we finished our race is that we can eat whatever we want and explore the country. We even hang out with the Malaysian, Indonesian and Singaporean teams, and we share our stories. It was really fun.
Q: What other goals are you looking to achieve in the sport?
A: My goals are to make the track & field team the mother of sports in Brunei and of course to win a medal at the SEA Games or other big competitions before I retire.
It would b the best gift from me to my family for always being there for me when I’m down as well as a gift to my coach and Brunei who have been supporting me all this time.
Another goal would be to make more youth participate in athletics.
Q: What do you think makes a good athlete?
A: There are a lot of things and here is a list.
1. They compete at all times
2. Self motivation
3. Recover daily
4. Set goals daily
5. Eat well
6. Love what they do
7. Patience
8. Push harder each time
9. Self confidence
10. Self discipline
11. Can handle pressure and stress
12. Focus
13. Competitive spirit and passion
Q: You come from a big family of sisters, how competitive are you with them?
A: I have four sisters and I don’t feel any competition with them. We surely are different from each other but also have much in common.
Although I might be the only one who is at the national team level, we can also be physically fit, although they choose different sports or activities to work on their fitness.
We cheer for each other, care for each other, help and motivate each other. That’s what we do and I’m so grateful to have them in my life.
Q: What do you think is your favourite thing about running?
A: I like the pain and the results when we do strength for body workout and gym. I love when I train so hard and end up getting personal best in competitions or time trials meaning that my hard work paid off.
I also love to train with my friends and we have fun during workout.
I love taking part in races, not because I am fast enough to ever place, but because it makes me push myself far more than on a training run.
Another thing I like is shopping for workout gear. I also love to go for training, even when I am exhausted like crazy as it makes me feel like I have accomplished something to make me stronger.
Q: How about your pet peeves about the sport?
A: Not getting enough attention and support, insufficient competitions both locally and internationally, athletes who give up without a fight in training, and luck as sometimes no matter how hard we train, it is not with us.
Q: How do you keep yourself in shape?
A: I always keep myself in shape because I’m afraid that I might lose my muscles. I built them since I was 15 so I don’t want them to be gone just like that. If I don’t go to the gym, I still do push ups and sit ups at home as it is part of my routine.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
A: Maybe I will be a police officer already if I’m fortunate enough to be selected in the police force. I want to work in a profession that has interaction with the community and strive to improve it.
Q: What tips can you give to those who wish to pick up the sport?
A: Encourage a positive attitude, team building, learn to accept failure and don’t give up, to be strong mentally and physically, good communication with coaches, genuine interest, availability and focus on developing effective and successful coach-athlete relationships
Q: Where do you see Brunei athletics in the next five years?
A: To be honest, as for now the athletics team is getting smaller due to lack of motivation. But who knows as things can happen unexpectedly in the future. We will just have to wait and see.
