TUARAN, JULY 5, 2026: Visually impaired swimmer Faiq Adnan (left) and his his swimming guide and coach Datuk Ooi Win Juat returned to the OCEANMAN World Series at Dalit Bay here for the second consecutive year. Photo courtesy of OCEANMAN.
TUARAN: Visually impaired swimmer Faiq Adnan returned to the OCEANMAN World Series here for the second consecutive year.
Competing in the 5km Inspiration Category, Faiq was accompanied by his swimming guide and coach, Datuk Ooi Win Juat, who swam in tandem with him and led the way throughout the race course.
"I want to show others that visual impairment or any physical disability is not an excuse for not achieving life's goals.
"One can still contribute actively to society and be an inspiration, no matter what card life deals you," he said.
The 36-year-old, who was born blind, has been swimming since 9.
In 2013, he made history by becoming the first blind Malaysian to successfully swim across the Penang Strait.
Three years later, he competed in a 6-kilometre open category for Bangkok Swimathon in Thailand and secured 32nd placing out of 52 swimmers.
For Ooi, age or disability should never be an obstacle to pursuing a passion for open-water swimming.
Last year, he also accompanied Faiq to the OCEANMAN World Final Championship at Kite Beach, Dubai.
Faiq was among 458 athletes from 31 countries who competed in this year's OCEANMAN Kota Kinabalu, held at Dalit Bay over the weekend.
The championship attracted swimmers from countries including Russia, France, Mexico, Australia, India and the United States, while 180 of the participants were Malaysians, mainly teenagers.
The two-day event featured the OCEANMAN (10km), Half OCEANMAN (5km), Sprint (2km), OCEANKIDS (500m) and OCEANTEAMS Relay (3 x 500m).
The top 10 swimmers in every age group, as well as the top three finishers in the Inspiration Category for swimmers with a degree of disability greater than 33 per cent, will earn qualification slots to the OCEANMAN World Final Championship in Miches, Dominican Republic, from Nov 9 to 15.
OCEANMAN Malaysia race director Azura Zainol Abidin said organising the world-class event in Sabah for three consecutive years had been a labour of love.
"I am truly inspired and thrilled to see how an event like this has managed to create a large following among Malaysians, creating a multi-generational community of swimmers who are passionate about the sport of open-water swimming.
"Most importantly, I am touched by the friendships that have been built through this event," she said.
As the curtain closed on OCEANMAN's three-year legacy in Sabah, the weekend celebrated sportsmanship, community and the natural beauty of the state.
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