Young water-ski champion Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah hopes to inspire a new generation of capable girls.
At 8, she became the youngest ever gold-medallist in the Sea Games’ 50-year history in 2011.
For Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah, age is just a number. Like a fish taking to water, the national water-skier started out young, at 6.
Today at 13, she is Asia’s No. 1 ranked Open Women tricks skier. She was recently listed in the Top 10 World Ranking for the Under-17 category in girls tricks by the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation.
Naturally, Aaliyah is perhaps the best Malaysian candidate to represent Dream Big, Princess, a three-year-long campaign by Disney.
This global movement aims to encourage girls everywhere to pursue their dreams with tenacity, determination and passion.
It also highlights every Disney princess, whose aspiring qualities can help empower other young girls.
Not surprisingly, Aaliyah’s favourite Disney Princess is Ariel, the titular heroine from The Little Mermaid.
“She’s in the water trying to explore land, whereas I’m on land trying to explore the water world,” the athlete says enthusiastically in an interview.
“She’s daring and spirited, which I relate to. I always love a big challenge.”
China’s historical female warrior Mulan inspires her too. “She’s willing to take over her father’s place in the war. I find that an extremely nice quality in a person.”
Besides Aaliyah, the campaign also roped in three other gifted girls: YouTube singer-actress Jannine Weigel, 16 (Thailand), competitive figure skater Sofia Guidote, 14 (the Philippines), and Junior MasterChef Indonesia winner Syifa Hassan, 14 (Indonesia).
The four girls will share their stories of passion and perseverance in videos now available on the Disney Channel Asia YouTube channel.
The partnership between Aaliyah and Disney is perfect because, like most girls, she has always been a fan of Disney princesses.
“Disney movies are educational too. Frozen is one of my favourites and it teaches kids to bond with their siblings. I can’t wait for the Frozen sequel!”
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY
“I was 6 months old when my dad stood at the side of the pool, counted one, two, three, and simply threw me into the water,” she says with a giggle.
She was 5 when her dad, Hanifah Yoong, took her to a water-ski tournament at the Putrajaya lake.
Seeing the participants attempting so many different moves and tricks piqued her interest. It was only natural since her family has a close affinity to water.
Hanifah was involved in water-skiing in the 1990s. He is now the Malaysian Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (MWWF) head coach and runs a water-ski operation in Putrajaya.
Her younger brothers, Aiden, 10, and Adam, 8, are also water-skiers, and fellow Sea Games competitors.
Former Formula One driver Alex Yoong, Aaliyah’s half-brother, also competes professionally in wake-boarding.
Her half-sister, Phillipa, has retired from the water sport due to a back injury but is now coaching the national team.
Aaliyah says: “My dad is my mentor and coach. He tells me to focus, do my best but most importantly, have fun.”
WORK HARD, PLAY HARD
Aaliyah’s tanned complexion is testament to her passion and dedication towards the sport, which she calls “a physical necessity”.
While pursuing her passion, Aaliyah had suffered from muscle tears and a torn ligament in her knee.
Still, winning the gold medal in 2011 at the Sea Games was the sweetest memory ever for the athlete.
“I didn’t even know I had won till later. After doing my run, I ran off with my friends to play (the card game) Uno,” she reveals with a laugh.
Her biggest dream right now is to become a multiple world champion. As expected, her huge success does bring pressure.
“I know that when I excel in a competition, I’m expected to do better the next time,” she says.
“Sometimes I’m worried, but other times, I don’t really think about it and just do my best.”
A BALANCED LIFE
There are currently about 25,000 recreational water-skiers in Malaysia. About 200 participate in tournaments, but only 12 are in the national team.
Aaliyah says: “I try to get other people to join the sport, sometimes via social media. Some become interested in water-skiing from there.”
She adds that her schoolmates think she’s “cool” and some of them have joined water-skiing as part of their curriculum.
Even though the sport is her main passion, she doesn’t neglect her studies at Nexus International School in Putrajaya. It’s hard but she’s doing well.
“People at my school are very supportive. They understand when I have to skip school, so I get online homework.”
Aaliyah looks up to French pro water-skier Clementine Lucine and American water-skier Regina Jaquess.
“Most sportsmen don’t finish school or go to university, but Regina is a professional water-skier and has a pharmacy degree,” she says.
“The key is to know how to balance both worlds. Only then can you go far.”
She adds that the most important thing is to try new things, like a sport or a musical instrument.
“Find a goal and go for it. Achieve that dream. Don’t let anything get in the way.”
FUTURE CHAMPION
Aaliyah also plans to continue her water-skiing career till she’s “60 or 90.” She also hopes to train full-time in Florida and attend the Pickos Waterski and Wakeboard School at Santa Rosa Beach. The three-lake ski park belongs to water-ski trick legend Cory Pickos, whom Hanifah says is one of the world’s best tricks coaches.
Aaliyah has other interests as well, which she said are her “distractions” after spending so much time water-skiing.
“I love horse-riding, ice-skating, sprinting, playing volleyball, listening to music, playing the piano and reading.”
She plays classical piano, but listens to rock music. Her favourite band is My Chemical Romance.
“I’m trying to get mum to let me learn the electric guitar,” says the high achiever as she flashes her mum a wide grin.