FollowYesterday was Cass’s big day — Skate Malaysia 2025, the event she had been preparing for tirelessly for over a month. All the hours spent training, all the sacrifices, and all the juggling between school and skating came down to that one performance. And honestly, I think I was more nervous than she was, not because I was worried she wouldn’t win, but because I was worried that she’d injure herself.
Did I ever mention that I had a nightmare last year, where I dreamt that Cass flipped and fell during her competition? That dream haunted me through two Skate Malaysia competitions, lingering at the back of my mind like an unwanted shadow. But thank God, none of that came true. Cass skated beautifully, executing even her spins gracefully without a single fall.
Her efforts were rewarded with a Second Place win in the Freestyle 2 (age 17–19 category). She was beaten by a very skilled contestant from the Philippines — a well-deserved win. As I reminded Cass the day before her competition, you can’t always expect to win gold. Sometimes, it’s second, third, or even nothing — and that’s perfectly okay. What matters is the effort, the growth, and the passion.
Understandably, Cass wasn’t completely happy — not because she got second place, but because she felt she didn’t skate her best. She said her performance during the actual competition was not as good as in her practice sessions or even her warm-up just 15 minutes before she went on. I told her, that happens. It’s part of the process. And it’s okay to have an off day, even on a big day.
With all the SPM exam pressure and heavy schoolwork, it’s already amazing that she managed to prepare and compete at this level. I’m so incredibly proud of her. And the best part? She’s already looking forward to next year’s challenge — the Ice Skating Championship. With her SPM behind her by then, she’ll have a full year to prepare and shine even brighter.
What makes me even happier is seeing the camaraderie among her skating team — the laughter, the support, and the genuine joy they share with each other. It’s heartwarming to know that through skating, she’s not only growing as an athlete but also building strong friendships and lifelong memories.
Here’s to good health, joy, and relentless passion as Cass continues to chase her dreams on ice. Whether it’s gold, silver, or simply the joy of the sport, she’s already a champion in my eyes.
The skating rink sees the beauty. Only the skater knows the real battle. Cass has two painful bunions on her feet, one on each big toe. This is a common condition affecting figure skaters, resulting from wearing tight skates. It hurts her feet whenever she skates.
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May I suggest getting the silicon braces/ toe separators for bunions? I’ve checked that Shoppee has them, very inexpensive. Worth a try. Have used mine for years, together with my custom orthotics, have gone through several pairs.
Hi Chris
Yes, I got silicon toe separators as well as castor oil from Shopee to manage the bunions. Cass says that the toe separators help to manage the pain a little while the castor oil did little. Before the competition, I also bought some silicon paddings for her feet. Her dad also brought her for physiotherapy. While the bunions will not go away, she now knows how to manage the pain and learn to live with them 🙂