Ashley Chin Sook Hui

Ashley Chin Sook Hui
Hi! My name is Ashley and I am a 22 Year old Student-Athlete in Sunway. Skating has always been a part of my life since I was a child. Besides studying, all my time has only been dedicated to training and competitions and to achieve my dreams, I had to sacrifice my leisure time with my friends and I was enrolled in a homeschool to focus more on those goals. Due to fulfilling my dreams as a skater, my family had to cut down other expenses and work from morning until late hours of the day to be able to provide for the expenses of my training. However, my parents were still able to support and encourage me during hard times.
 
Through an endless cycle of competitions, I struggled with the fear of failure because I am such a perfectionist. During this time, the best advice my parents gave me was “You don’t need to win everything but to try your best” which helped me gain my confidence. Despite the hard times, I still continued to compete in numerous competitions such as Asian Winter Games, World Cups, World Juniors and also Asian Trophy competitions. My passion started when my mother took me to ice skating and she signed me up for the Sunway Pyramid’s holiday package lessons. I fell in love with skating because it was very thrilling. I could still remember I wanted my school lessons to end quickly so that I could go skating. Even though I have been skating for the longest time, I could still feel the excitement that I felt when I was at the age of 10 years old. I was introduced to Short Track Speed Skating when I was 12. I was one of the chosen skaters to travel to Changchun, China for a training camp to learn more about the newly-introduced sport. After the return, I realized I perform better in Short Track than in Figure Skating and everyone around me told me I could only choose one sport. After a few months of consideration, I decided to pick short track as my full-time sport.
 
To achieve my full potential as a National Athlete, I had to leave my home in KL to train in South Korea. I was training at the Korea National Sport's University's rink for about 4-5 years alone. I was struggling with homesickness and had my fair share of mental breakdowns. Due to my desires to achieve my goals, I had to toughen up and overcome them. Unfortunately, before the night of my Olympic trials in Europe, I fell on ice during my training which caused a tear in 3 of ligaments in my right ankle. I felt frustrated and heartbroken as this was the competition that could determine a spot in order for me to compete in the Olympics. Since my severe injury, I had to undergo months of physiotherapy in Malaysia. Fortunately, I was able to win Gold with my teammates when I was recruited in the National Team for Sea Games 2019. I believe hard work truly pays off. I feel privileged to be able to pursue Interior Design in Sunway University under the Sports Scholarship as it has helped ease my parent’s burden as they were the ones who fully supported my skating career.
 
When I received an email saying that I was given the scholarship, I couldn’t express how happy I was! I am so grateful to be given this golden opportunity to proudly represent Sunway in competitions. If I have not been offered this scholarship, I might not be able to sustain both my student-athlete life. Overall, I really enjoy the positive ambience that Sunway has. I am fortunate to be able to study in a wonderful environment. Besides that, the lecturers are really kind and considerate which is very pleasant and I got to meet so many amazing people who are really diligent and friendly which made me feel welcomed in Sunway.
 
Remember that failure is always part of an achievement. Without failure, you will not enhance your skills! and this is #MySunwayStory.
 
Ashley Chin Sook Hui
Diploma in Interior Design
Sunway Sports Scholarship