Kayaker Hpone Myint Tayzar kisses the two gold medals he won in the 24th SEA Games single 1000m and four-man 1000m events, and the bronze he won in the 500m doubles.

WITH the Southeast Asian Games consigned to another two-year hiatus, Myanmar’s star rowers, kayakers and canoeists can sit back and take a moment to reflect on their achievements: seven gold medals, six silver and five bronze.

“The success is attributed to the hard work of the athletes and support from the chairman of the federation,” said U Pe Win, secretary of the Myanmar Rowing and Canoeing Federation, in reference to MRCF head U Chit Khaing, who owns Signature restaurant in Yangon and Eden Construction Group.

Despite improving on Myanmar’s 2005 SEA Games record of two gold, six silver and five bronze medals, U Pe Win said high expectations of the country’s boat race entrants meant there was some disappointment with the medal haul from the 27 events Myanmar entered.

“To be frank, I think the number of gold medals we got is less than we expected. We expected to get nine or 10 gold medals,” he said.

Still, the result was clearly the best of the Myanmar teams competing at the December 6-15 SEA Games in Thailand, which officials said had been a milestone for local rowers, canoeists and kayakers.

“The federation has been around for 17 years but this was the first time we participated in regattas with our own boats,” said U Pe Win.

“In the past we had to borrow boats from host countries, which no one wanted to use. Being able to participate with our own boats was one reason for our success,” he said.

Kayaker Ma Naw Ah Le La Shee said the opportunity to train for more than a week at the competition site at Maab Prachan reservoir in Pattaya before the Games started was crucial to the end result.

“The main difficulty we faced was waves and wind blowing from north,” said the 24-year-old who won gold in the 500 metres with partner Ma Aye Mi Khaing.

“If we only had two or three days to practice we wouldn’t have been able or daring enough to race in such waves,” she said.

“Our main competitor was Indonesia. They made about six mistakes while we made only two – that’s why we won.”

Ma Aye Mi Khaing, 29, said disaster loomed throughout the race.

“We didn’t get the gold easily. I nearly lost my life,” she said.

“The waves coming at us were big. They hit me in the chest and face while I was breathing in, so I had to skip two of my strokes. At that time, she (Naw Ah Le La Shee) had to paddle for the both of us,” she said.

Canoeist Ko Win Htike, racing solo, also had to battle every moment of his events, missing out on gold in the 1000 metres by a tenth of second before vindicating the loss with a win by the same margin in the 500 metres.

“This was my third SEA Games. I liked these Games because we had a chance to compete with our own boats,” said the 24-year-old.

Myanmar rowers, however, were unable to bring home any gold and instead settled for four silver medals – a result, that while still admirable, was put down to inexperience.

“We are not in the position of being able to challenge for the gold medals,” U Pe Win said of the rowers. “Those who win gold at international regattas have more than 10 years’ experience.

“The best rower we have has only three years’ experience.”

U Pe Win said competing in the SEA Games had cost the federation nearly K450 million.

“Every federation has its own expenses, but our chairman wants to see achievements. He doesn’t think about the cost,” said U Pe Win.

“The main and most important thing is, if you really want it, you really have to work. If you really work, you will get what you want.”