Gen Z Swimmer With One Hand Trains To Represent Singapore At Para Games | Limitless

Key Concepts

• Amniotic Band Syndrome: A condition causing constriction of limbs during fetal development, resulting in limb differences.
• Paralympic Classification (S1-S10, S11-S13, S14): A system used in disability sports to group athletes based on the impact of their impairment on their performance, ensuring fair competition. Lower numbers indicate greater impact.
• Personal Best (PB): An athlete’s best recorded performance in a specific event.
• Spaghetti Arms: A technique used by swimmers to relax the arms for a more efficient glide.
• Nepo Baby: A term for someone who benefits from having famous or well-connected parents.
• Asian Youth Para Games: A multi-sport event for young athletes with disabilities in Asia.

Moza’s Journey: Overcoming Challenges and Pursuing Excellence in Swimming

I. Early Life and Diagnosis

Moza, a 14-year-old competitive swimmer representing Singapore, was born without a right hand and forearm due to Amniotic Band Syndrome. Her mother recounts the initial shock and the difficult question posed by medical professionals regarding termination of the pregnancy. Ultimately, the decision was made to continue the pregnancy, a choice her mother firmly believes was the right one. The family faced societal reactions and questions, but her mother intentionally fostered independence in Moza from a young age, pushing her to solve her own problems. This early emphasis on self-reliance became a defining characteristic of Moza’s personality.

II. Facing Exclusion and Building Resilience

Moza openly discusses the experience of being excluded as a child with a disability. She emphasizes the importance of kindness and reaching out to those who are alone, even if it feels awkward. She highlights the crucial role of a strong support system, specifically mentioning her mother as a key figure. Her mother, while supportive, adopted a tough-love approach, allowing her brother to tease her to build resilience, believing it would make her “tougher.” Moza herself demonstrates remarkable resilience, consistently getting back up after failures, recognizing “consistency really is key to everything.” She applies this principle directly to her swimming.

III. Swimming as a Catalyst for Growth

Moza learned to adapt to everyday tasks with one hand, from carrying her backpack to using a ruler, initially experiencing frustration. Swimming became a pivotal outlet. She explains that in swimming, unlike life, you can’t undo a mistake like a bad dive – you must “keep on rolling with it.” This analogy reflects her broader approach to challenges. She has achieved significant success, including breaking national records in the inter-school and national youth championships, even winning against both boys and girls in the national school games. Currently, her personal best in the 50m freestyle is 44 seconds, with a goal to break 40 seconds. She has won 11 medals to date.

IV. Paralympic Classification and Competitive Landscape

The video explains the Paralympic classification system, crucial for fair competition in disability sports. Swimmers are categorized from S1 to S10 (physical impairments), S11-S13 (visual impairments), and S14 (intellectual impairments). Lower numbers indicate a more significant impact of the disability on performance. Moza is classified as S9, indicating a deficiency in one limb. The system doesn’t directly compare times between classes; instead, athletes are compared to world records within their own classification, with points awarded based on proximity to those records. Pimsu, a top Singaporean athlete, is classified as S2 due to deficiencies in all four limbs.

V. The Path to International Competition & Family Support

Moza’s success led to her nomination to represent Singapore at the Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai. This presented new challenges, including increased training intensity coinciding with peak exam season, which resulted in illness and a setback. Her father, a former professional footballer, and her mother, a businesswoman, provide unwavering support. Her father, recognizing the pressure of living up to his athletic legacy, emphasizes the importance of hard work and creating one’s own name. Her mother, initially traumatized by a tsunami movie, proactively enrolled all her children in swimming lessons. The family’s commitment is demonstrated by her father’s surprise visit to Dubai during the games.

VI. Mentorship and Psychological Preparation

Before the Asian Youth Para Games, Moza had the opportunity to speak with Joseline, a decorated Singaporean swimmer, who served as a mentor. Joseline’s advice focused on mental preparation, emphasizing the importance of zoning out distractions and focusing on technique. Joseline shared her own experience with a dislocated shoulder during a competition, highlighting the unpredictable nature of sports. Moza describes a unique mental state before races – a feeling of “Zen” and a blank mind, where she focuses solely on her lane and the possibility of winning. She acknowledges feeling anxious and scared, but recognizes the necessity of pushing through those feelings.

VII. Challenges and Future Aspirations

Moza admits to wishing she had two hands, acknowledging the increased efficiency it would provide. However, she also recognizes the value of her unique perspective and the importance of adapting. She is committed to increasing her training to six times a week, a significant commitment that requires careful balancing with her studies. She expresses a desire to compete at a higher level, even considering participating in open-category adult competitions in Japan, demonstrating a hunger for continued growth. She acknowledges the sacrifices required, stating, “If I have to do it scared, you have to do it scared.”

VIII. The Importance of Independence and Self-Reliance

A recurring theme throughout the video is the emphasis on Moza’s independence and self-reliance. Her parents intentionally fostered these qualities from a young age, and Moza has embraced them wholeheartedly. Her mother’s final message to her underscores this point: “It’s all you. All your hard work, all your dedication and all your perseverance are from here.” This message encapsulates the core of Moza’s journey – a testament to her resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit.

Conclusion:

Moza’s story is a powerful illustration of overcoming adversity, embracing challenges, and pursuing excellence. Her journey highlights the importance of a supportive family, the transformative power of sport, and the unwavering belief in one’s own potential. Her dedication to swimming, coupled with her remarkable resilience and independent spirit, positions her as an inspiring role model for athletes and individuals facing challenges of all kinds. Her future aspirations demonstrate a continued commitment to pushing boundaries and achieving her full potential on the international stage.