Pillar of support: Liew (centre) being flanked by Charlene (left) and Charlotte.
SUCCESS is often celebrated on stages or podiums, but what often goes unnoticed is the grit and tenacity that made it happen.
Twin sisters Charlotte and Charlene Loke know all about the hard work that happens behind the scenes.
As state-level swimmers for Kuala Lumpur and international-level competitors, the 19-year-olds have had to meet the rigorous demands of their training schedules, along with their student responsibilities.
When asked how they achieved success in both swimming and academics, Charlotte and Charlene, who recently completed their foundation programmes at INTI International College Subang under its Merit Scholarship, credited time management and goal-setting as their success formula.
“Don’t be afraid to try new things; it’s all about balance and time management. Set your goals and pursue them with passion,” said Charlotte in a recent press release.
With a passion for coding and technology, she completed a foundation in information technology, and plans to pursue a degree in computer science.
Last May, she was named the champion of the Microsoft Office Specialist Malaysia National Championship in the Microsoft Word Category.
Charlene, on the other hand, pursued a foundation in business and looks forward to undertaking a degree in accounting and finance.
Staying disciplined is just as important as managing time wisely and setting clear goals, she stressed.
Reflecting on their swimming journey, the sisters said it began as a “playful activity”.
“Our mum taught us the basics just for fun. But it quickly turned into a passion,” said Charlotte.
By age 10, they took intensive swimming classes, their sights set on competitive swimming.
Acknowledging their mother’s support, the sisters said it was her unwavering dedication that laid the foundation for their success.
“She has never missed a single competition, ensures we are well-fed, drives us to training, and cheers us on, no matter what,” said Charlene.
In 2020, their efforts paid off when they qualified as state-level swimmers for Kuala Lumpur.
The pressure on Charlene peaked during her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams in 2022.
“There was a major international meet right after my SPM. I couldn’t reduce my training, so I studied whenever I could between practices, late nights, and weekends. It was exhausting but incredibly rewarding when I saw my results,” she shared.
Most recently, she achieved significant success at the 59th Malaysia Invitational Age Group Swimming Championships 2024, securing a gold medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay and a silver in the 4x100m medley relay.
“I enjoyed the team spirit during the relay because every teammate cheered for each other,” she said.
Charlotte’s outing at the championships was just as fruitful, netting three gold and three silver medals.
Besides family support, the duo credited their coach Marellyn Liew for their achievements.
“She’s committed, hardworking, and always pushes us further,” said Charlene.
A seasoned athlete, Liew herself has a string of achievements under her belt – she is a national record holder, 13th FINA World Aquatics Championship 2009 qualifier, and South-East Asian Games medallist.
Speaking of the Loke sisters, she said they are role models for young swimmers.
“I have been coaching them since 2018. They are punctual, disciplined, and always know what they need. I will always talk about their dedication and hard work to future generations of swimmers,” she said.
Liew also shared her advice to future athletes.
“Work hard, approach the sport with integrity, never take the easy way out, and seek self-motivation every day,” she said.
