Princess Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah is the athletic daughter of the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. She shares her father's love for polo, and dedicates almost every waking hour to developing her skill and endurance in this highly demanding sport.
"When I'm not playing practice games, off the horse I train with my personal trainer on polo conditioning," the 39-year-old sportswoman explains. "My goal is to progress further with the use of sports science in my polo development-training smart, improving physicality, flexibility, nutrition and mindset."
She shares with Tatler how her early school days were peppered with sporting team events after class, with her equestrian prowess emerging as young as four years old when she began riding and showjumping. It was not until she was studying for her law degree at the University of Warwick, though, that she took up polo. "There was no actual plan to commit to polo; it was all a coincidence and people I met along the way who pointed me in the right direction," Princess Azemah says. "Once I started, I fell in love with the sport and now I can't imagine not playing."
What she lacked in experience when she started, she made up for with sheer discipline and commitment to her training. This was at a time when polo was largely a man's game, especially in Brunei where female players were a rarity. Thankfully, she had the benefit of an exceptional coach in Marianela Castagnola-one of Argentina's top female polo players and the only female rider to win the prestigious Copa de Republica in Argentina, in 1997. Through rigorous training and hard work, Princess Azemah eventually earned a place in the Brunei National Polo Team.
This story is from the January 2024 edition of Tatler Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2024 edition of Tatler Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tech Talk
Rami Madani of ISKL discusses how AI is impacting education
Boarding Abroad
Elizabeth Marini and Mira Rosa Marini share parentchild perspectives of life at TASIS, the American boarding school in Switzerland that shaped a confident young woman
Gateway to Greatness
Three students share how Garden International School helped them reach their desired Oxbridge institutions
Choose Your Own Ed-venture
There are many noble academic reasons for undertaking a doctorate, but does having a PhD provide any career advantages a master's degree doesn't?
The Human Advantage
Can fresh graduates thrive in an Al-driven world? The future workforce is expected to move away from mundane tasks towards positions that demand critical thinking and interpersonal skills. Here’s what you need to excel in this dynamic era of human-AI collaboration
Join the Green Revolution
Redefine your digital footprint with the Acer Chromebook Vero 514, a revolutionary device that sets the standard for sustainability and performance
Not Your Average Joe
The Chromebook unlocks a seamless computing journey that merges style with functionality
Learning Unlocked
Gamification in education represents a paradigm shift in teaching and learning. By leveraging game-like elements to enhance motivation and engagement, the learning experience is transformed into an interactive and immersive journey
The Power of
What does this mean for our children's education and how can they benefit from it?
AS ABOVE
Dont forget to look up when you stay at these five-star hotels