DREAM NOT SAILING AWAY

Ex-para-sailor Tan continues hunt for Paralympic medal by switching to boccia

- Deepanraj Ganesan

Jovin Tan has weathered the high seas, competed at four Paralympic Games and overcome numerous obstacles in his personal and professional life as a para-sailor.

It has been a long and arduous journey for the 39-year-old, but the road to sporting glory continues in his hunt for a medal at the Paralympics.

With sailing no longer on the Paralympic roster, Tan - who competed in sailing in the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 editions - is now charting a new course in a different sport.

In 2022, he took up boccia to keep his dream alive and prolong his days as an athlete.

Played by wheelchair-using athletes with motor-skill impairments, the aim of the sport is to bowl balls as close as possible to a white target ball known as the jack.

“Sports has transformed me to be a more confident person and I really enjoy being a competitive athlete,” Tan told The Straits Times.

“But so far, my highest achievement is only an Asian Para Games gold medal. I have yet to win a Paralympic medal yet. It is still a dream of mine.”

Sport has been the source of motivation and inspiration for Tan, who was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects the control of his limbs.

When he was a teenager, he contemplated suicide after struggling to come to terms with others’ perception of him.

At home, his bad-tempered father, who was unable to accept his disability, would often hit out at him.

“If I am out with my family for a meal, if I drop my utensils, the consequence is that I got a tight slap in public and many times he will pass remarks like ‘you are burden to a family’ or ‘you're so useless or something’,” Tan, who uses a wheelchair, recalled.