KUALA LUMPUR – Typically, athletes often remain engaged in their sports field post-retirement, opting to become coaches or take up administrative roles.
However, for two-time SEA Games gold medallist C. Shahmalarani, her post-retirement plans lean towards academia, specifically aspiring to become a lecturer.
At 25, Shahmalarani is not only agile and formidable in the arena with powerful strikes that can outmatch opponents, but she is also pursuing a master’s degree in actuarial studies at Taylor’s College.
Speaking to Scoop, Shahmalarani shared her profound interest in teaching.
She envisions herself entering this field someday when she can no longer compete as a national karate athlete.
“My plans are very big and not solely focused on sports. After completing my master’s, I intend to pursue a PhD as my career path is in teaching.
“While I have been teaching for six years, my primary focus has been on training and competition.
“The Asean University Games will be my last championship before I go into the off-season, and I plan to complete my studies.
“I need to finish my thesis and hope to graduate because my studies have been prolonged due to my involvement in the SEA Games and Asian Games previously.
The karate champion said she realised her passion for teaching while doing her bachelor’s degree, adding that coaching is not so different from teaching.
“I would say coaching is akin to teaching, but teaching as a coach on the court is much more challenging than teaching in a classroom.
“As a coach, I have to ensure my efforts are multiplied to help my athletes achieve success and become champions. It may take me a long time to become a certified coach – perhaps in the future,” said Shahmalarani.
In her spare time, Shahmalarani teaches mathematics and additional mathematics to students, especially those preparing for SPM.
She has also been actively involved in Taylor’s Peer Assisted Learning System for the past two years, where she has taught Introduction to Accounting, Calculus, and Mathematics of Finance to bachelor’s degree students.
Shahmalarani jokingly mentioned that her students were a bit intimidated upon learning about her background as a karate champion.
The Selangor-born athlete will be competing in the Asean University Games starting in Surabaya on June 26, and she is considered one of the gold medal prospects for the contingent based on her reputation.
“I know many of my competitors will be competing in Surabaya, likely observing and assessing my abilities as preparation for the SEA Games in Thailand in December.
“It doesn’t bother me because my main goal is to win the gold medal, and if possible, I would also like to contribute to team events,” she added. – June 23, 2024