So Near Yet So Far

It was my dream to perform/contest at District level. It happened this year when I qualified for the International Speech Contest Finals. Going against giants like Stephen Fernando, Muthukumaran (2010 Evaluation Champion) and Dr.Asha (2009 Evaluation Champion & 2010 Table Topics Champion).

Though, I didn't had time to practise my speech but my mental power was strong to ensure the smoothness of my speech. With evaluations from my club members, Loghendran, Daniel Teh, James Arokiasamy, Singam, Valli and my other Toastmaster friends, I manage to craft and mould the speech to ensure the content itself will be the champion.

Although I was busy my my job, but my focus was there on the speech and performing well.

When I reach there at Penang on Friday, I was already bogged with phone calls from my office along the way till I reach the hotel. Then had to go into the election for the officers. Thereafter, practise my dance for the Friday night performance.

Though there were hiccups at beginning as my dress gave me some problem, but I manage to get alternative solution and we made the performance.

Everyone were engrossed with the show which we portrayed 1 Malaysia concept. With my special stunts, everyone amazed that Toastmasters can really dance and perform on the stage.

Soon after, I went for the briefing for the contest and I got to present as 5th speaker. In Area and Division, I was 5th also. So I felt that's good as I can feel relaxed not being in the top 3.

Friday chapter was over, for Saturday, I skipped most of the segments and only attended Ted Corcoran's and Forum segment only. Even for the dinner, I left after 4th course.

I was practising my speech along the beach at the ballroom to ensure I get used to the environment. I was really satisfied and confident on my performance.

The D Day came, I did the mike test, it was fine. Some even complained about about the stage but for me everything was fine. Although I was a bit tensed as this was my 1st District Contest, but I manage to reduce it when I mixed around with others and joked around.

Stephen Fernando was the 1st contestant, his message was not strong but the other aspects were as usual, marvelous. Followed by Grace Tan whom over acted, then by Dr.Asha, whom was not really animated and dry message.

Muthukumaran came and he talked about "The little difference" but he talked abt his grandma and daughter. It was humorous. Message there was there.

Then my turn, As I started, the flow just went on. At one point I forgot my line, but continued with another line and came back to it later.

As the red light blinks, I rushed for conclusion. I saw the timers face was sour. The claps were just OK. During break, a lot of people came and told me that I spoke well and overall I know I can qualify for top 3.

But then, the disaster happened. Thiaga and Yoges came and told me that I might have exceeded the timing by atleast 8 seconds. Damn!!!

Looks like my golden dream is going to be dashed. Even Stephen fernando and Muthu was initially worried with my performance but after knowing that I'm disqualified, they were happy.

When the results was announced, they told there's 1 time disqualification. Damn, I knew its me.

My head just went down. Naelah was beside me and try to console me but I couldn't take it.

Eventually Muthu won and Stephen got 2nd place. 3rd place went to some1 whom doesn't deserve the trophy at all.

I immediately walked out of the room and went for the lunch without witnessing the closing ceremony.

Thereafter left to KL with Victor and Thiaga. Even they weer trying to console me but it was to heavy to just leave it.

Even if i was not placed, I wouldn't have been that sad. But loosing in this manner, its really heartbreaking moment.

Div C Governor, said there are more contest to come. Make it as a learning experience and come back strong next year.

I don't know what else to say apart from I will try again.......

From Victor's blog:
"In the former, Meyyappa had the best chance of being crowned the winner and which will allow him to progress to the World Championship of Public Speaking in Las Vegas, USA. Sadly, it was not to be because he was disqualified for going over time. I am sure he is angry and upset and I know the feelings very well because I went through this same situation in my previous competitions."

Energizer Night Run 2011 - 16 Apr'11

This is my 2nd time taking part in the event. Last year I took part in 10km and this year I planned to take part in 21km and plan to do my personal best. This is also my 2nd race after Bareno Run. Before, going to the venue, I was already boosted with energy where, Jia Ming, my HOT toastmaster friend was carpooling with me. Yeah!!!. I reached there around 6.45pm. Upon reaching there, 1st agony started where the parking was RM10. Damn....That's really exorbitant. Then we had to walk another 1km towards starting point. I had to deposit my bag at the baggage counter but the Que was really long and realised that only 2 volunteers were there. What the Heck? It was already time for my run, so I told Jia Ming to deposit the bag and get the tag. I had to go to toilet to reduce my weight. Then moved on to starting line. Race started on time. I just followed the leading pack and good start. Manage to pace few guys. We went out of the track to the estate area where no adequate lights. I had to depend on the runners' lights. There were adequate water stations for every 2.5km and the total distance was 10km before we move into the track. As we moved in, that's where chaos started. We were mixed with 5.5km and 11km. So the track got crowded. I thought the track would be flat but realised that it had some high slopes too. As I wanted to do personal best, I followed Susan, a old white lady but still fit. I followed her for the 1st loop, then she was missing. I manage to catch her during 2nd loop but she was still fit to break away from me at final 2km. As I finish the race, I saw my timing 1.34:38. Wow, that's my personal best. I went back with Jia Ming and had dinner with her at Bangsar. What a romantic finish. But overall it was a damn screwed up race. Why? 1. Inadequate volunteers at baggage collection area. 2. Distribution of headlamps and goodie bag was poor. 3. Inadequate headlamps, goodie bag, and medals (we pay RM50 man) 4. No proper distance marker along the track / running route 5. Only 1 water station in the track. Damn, and it was crowded by 5km and 10km runners 6. Only Gatorade was given after the race. Banana finished. No other refreshments. We had to buy it. 7. Due to insufficient bags, the officials could not control the crowd, and they started throwing the bags towards the runners. 8. Official told me that no medal and only for top5 finishers at the finishing lane. What the F***? Officials are stupid. 9. They gave ribbon, but I don't know for what purpose. 10. Nobody told me how many laps I should run or completed. 11. Marathon runners were not guided properly, so they went on wrong direction. Only good thing I saw was, there were adequate first aid officials everywhere. That's it. I wanted to talk more....But I just want to say that It was a F***ed up race. No more energizer Run. Though I got personnel best but still not satisfied. Next race id of course SCKLM.

Long Run - 10 April

Last weekend I was too stressed and missed the run. Then during the weekdays, I managed to do 10km twice. Thus, I decided to do a 30km on Sunday. As added bonus, it was also Pacesetters Breakfast Run, which means there will be water station and also delicious breakfast. I meet Ronnie and the team at 6.15am and we started the run. As usual, he started to increase the pace as they were going for 20km only. I just wanted to finish off the run and make it below 3hours as the previous one was 3:20. I took additional distance as I turned left and came around IRB. As I reached Hartamas Square, I turned left to do my loops. At every loop, I took the drink at water station. The volunteers were patient to wait for me for 5loops. After 5 loops, I took a 5 minutes break for my power gel and continued with the run. I looked a bit tiring, but I wanted to finish it off. At the stadium, got refreshed and realised that there were few runners ahead of me. I made them as my pacers. Getting through tijani Hill, then Bukit Tunku followed by Bank Negara hill was the real test. Finally reached the final destination and did the timing of 2:58 (includes breaks). However, no breakfast provided. Damn, I wnet with Azali for Nasi Lemak at Bkt Aman car park. Great work. Hope to do another 20km this week before Energizer Run.

India Won the World Cup after 28 years

A magnificent inning from Indian Captain M.S.Dhoni (91 runs off 79 balls) and Gautam Gambhir (97 runs off 122 balls) guided India to glory with the six wickets win over Sri Lanka to became the ICC World Champions after 28 Years. India recaptured the crown which was first lifted by Kapil Dev team 28 years back at Lord’s in 1983 and 28 years later the team achieved the same under the Captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. At one stage it seems everything is lost when chasing the target of 275 for win, India lost their two big wickets with just 31 runs on the board in the 7th over. Virendra Sehwag was first to go without troubling the scorer and then Sachin Tendulkar who looked in good touch during his stay also nicked L.Malinga wide delivery to break the heart of billions of fan across the globe. But two young guns of Indian team, Virat Kohli (35 runs off 49 balls) and Gautam Gambhir steadied the Indian ship which was bobbling at start. Both put on valuable 83 runs for third wicket before Kohli dismissed with the score reading 114/3 in the 22nd over. Indian captain who has struggle for form in last 6 months promoted himself in the batting order and that was yet again a master stroke from Dhoni because he knew Sri Lanka has two off spinner bowling well so instead of sending Yuvraj Singh after Kohli dismissal he arrived at the crease with India still 161 runs behind form the target. He played some remarkable and effortless stroke to keep the required run rate under check and keep the scorecard moving along with Gautam Gambhir. M.S.Dhoni hit 8 fours and two huge sixes during his knock. Both put on 109 runs for the 4th wicket before Gambhir fell three short of well deserve century in the 42nd over with India still needed 52 runs from 52 deliveries. However Yuvraj Singh (21 runs off 24 balls) and Dhoni kept their cool to guide India over the line without any further hiccups. Dhoni hit the winning runs by swatting a huge six over the long-on boundary. Earlier Kumar Sangakkara won the re-toss and elected to bat first. With the help fine century from Mahela Jayawardne (103 runs off 88 balls) and some late Sri Lankan assault they manage to put 274/6 in their 50 overs. Sri Lanka able to take 63 runs in the batting powerplay and that’s made the difference in the score of 250 and 274. Zaheer Khan, who bowled three maidens and gave away just six runs in his first five overs, was plundered for 54 in his last five overs. For India Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh picked up two wickets each, while Harbhajan Singh took one wicket. M.S.Dhoni was declared Player of the Match for his brilliant unbeaten inning of 91 runs from just 79 balls. Yuvraj Singh was declared Player of the Tournament for his all-round effort with bat and ball. He has taken 15 wickets in the tournament and scored 362 runs with an average of 90.50. BCCI also awarded each of the 15 players Rupees 1 Crore and 50 lakhs to each supporting staff and 25 lakhs to each of the Indian selectors. Delhi Cricket Board also announced the award with each of the three players Sehwag, Gambhir and Nehra will get rupees 1 Crore each while M.S.Dhoni will be awarded 2 Crore.

Division B International Speech Contest 2011

My plan was to go to Division Contest this year and I have already achieved it. Analysing my contenders, Nicole Choe (phoenix-Area B5) was the favorite and there were 3 rookies whom are NorLida (Shah Alam-Area B4), Wan Sayuti (Penapisan-Area B3) and Wen May (Indrahana-Area B2).

It was drizzling all the way till the venue. I took it as prosper. Then the draw went on, and I got number 5. Good that, I could witness others before I speak.

Upon commencement of the contest, Norlida, Nicole (with the speech of "The Push"), She had the body gesture with the dance and 3 stories. From there I knew she will be the person to beat.

When came my turn, I just took deep breath, started off with the speech. Time to time, I can hear the laughter, which shows that they are engage and engross with my speech.

Once I completed my speech, I received a thunderous applause. After that was the break and a lot of them said that they were inspired and touched by the speech. From there I knew top 2 is in my hand.

Then came the price giving ceremony. My heart was beating fast. I was worried if I exceeded the time. But then, they announced that there were no time disqualification.

3rd place goes to Wen May. My heart started to beat even faster. Then 2nd place.........Nicole Choe!!! Victor Ong and many others has started to show me thumbs up.

And the winner is......................Meyyappa Manickam. Pheww....I made it. It was my aim to go to District Contest and it happened now.

Now, I'm going into champions league where I may face contestants like Stephen Fernando, Shanker K. and Dr Asha.

Here I come Penang...

Bareno Run - 13 Mar

It's my 1st race for the year. Though I was focusing on marathon for the year, but I wanted to give myself a boost and not to push with a long race for beginning.

Thus, I signed up for 5km. Furthermore, I got num 4 last year. I thought, I can maintain the similar position. All that were dashed when I saw Jasni, Chen Pong Pong and some Klang Pacers taking part in the event.

When the race started, a group of them, just sprinted and break away from us. Though the trophy was till 10th but at one point of time I thought, I was out of contention.

I could not reduce the pace as the other runners were behind me. I only slowed at the final hills which was at LRT station which was only 1km to finish.

I knew the route, thus, when got passed the station, I push (d myself and made it to the finishing lane.

They gave me 9th position, pheww..finally. with timing of 22.33

But I noted that:

1. The race started at 6.35am (suppose to be 6.50am)
2. No proper marshals especially at the turning after LRT station
3. The water station was too small to cater for 10km and 5km
4. Ribbon distribution was not improper.

Now training for Energizer Night race.

Japan hit by Tsunami

Allert to Philipines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Hawai and South Korea.

KNOW This Sports Person - Ashwini Nachappa

Ashwini Nachappa (born October 21, 1967) is an accomplished athlete from Karnataka, India. She gained fame at the turn of the 1980's when she outran P.T. Usha on two separate occasions. She has since been referred to as India's FloJo[1] and in 1990 she received the prestigious Arjuna award. She has also acted in Tollywood films, as well as being noted as a social worker and educationist


Her key international accomplishments include – her representing India in three South Asian Federation Games in 1984 (hosted in Nepal – won 2 silver medals), in 1986 (hosted in Bangladesh – won 2 silver medals and in 1988 (hosted in Pakistan – won 3 gold medals), her participation in two Asian Games, one held in 1986 in South Korea (she stood 6th in Long Jump) and another held in 1990 in Beijing, China (she won silver medal in 4 x 100 meters relay).

She also represented India in two World Athletics Championships, one in 1987 in Rome (she was the member of the 4 x 400 meters relay) and another in 1991 in Tokyo (she was the member of the 4 x 400 meters relay).

At 24th Olympic Games held in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea, she was a member of the 4 x 400 meters relay.

She also participated in four Asian Track & Field Championships – one held in 1985 in Jakarta, Indonesia (she won bronze medal in relay), another held in 1987 in Singapore (she won silver medal in relay and ranked 4th in 200 meters), another one in 1989 in New Delhi (where she won two silver medals – one in 200 meters and another in relay) and yet another held in 1991 in Malaysia (where she won Gold medal in 4 x 400 meters relay).

Sports Leaders became Fixed Assets?

Gadafi and Mubarak was in power for long term and finally People's power came in and they had to make way.

In Malaysian Sports context, we have similar case as long term leaders "fixed Assets" whom has yet to setp down.

I'm sure most of them has worked hard for the sports and their contribution cant be quantified. But it's time for us to see new faces with new ideas.

Some are sitting in the position just to get the voting power and some doesnt know what else to do.

Area B1 International Speech & Table Topics - 26 Feb '11

It was my ultimate target for many years to be an Area Champ. And ...it Happened this year. Due to work commitment I didn't had much practice session. But I had the confidence in my script and message that I wanted to deliver.

Till the contest day, I was still thinking of my content and relevant example. If beer or cigarette can make people to distress, for me it's my running. After Saturday morning jog, while jogging I was able to picture how to deliver the speech and I manage to get some points.

As I reached teh venue, i realised there were 5 contestants for my Area which was: Benard Louis (District 1st runner up in evaluation contest), Nimmala (a writer), Thiaga (defending Area B1 TT Champion) and a rookie from Taylors college.

I knew, its going to be a tough fight, but I wanted to give the rest a run for their money. My target was to finish podium in Int speech contest and grab the title for TT contest.

As the contest started, I was contestant num 5. I liked it so that I can do some last minute preparation. When I saw Benard presenting abt driver seat, nimmala on quiting, Thiaga on Fear and other girl on love, I knew I stands a good chance if I perform well.

I went in front, I started, the audience were engaged with my speech. The more I speak, the more momentum i had and more energy in my speech. Upon presenting, a lot of them came and told me that they were touched and inspired with the speech.

Then came TT contest, I was also 5th contestant. When I entered into the room, the Contest chair gave me the topic. I was "Being vegetarian is good for life without decease". It was an advantage for me because I'm part time vegetarian. As the story pick up, I was still finding my conclusion and finally finished it.

Now it's results time....Simon Soh was behind me. He said I can grab the TT contest title. And suddenly my name was announced as 1st runners up. The champ was Benard Loius and 3rd place went to Isabel.

Then, Simon said, don't worry IT contest title will be yours. The 2nd runners up name announced, it was not me. The 1st runners up name was announced, it was not me......my heart started beating fast. The best part Benard Loius and my name had yet to be announced, which means either one of us is unplaced.

And the winner of Area B1 International Speech contest 2011 is ..........Meyyappa Manickam!!!!!!!
Wow..finally after 6 years I got it.

The winners:

International Speech:
1. MEYYAPPA MANICKAM (Deloitte)
2. Nimmala (UNITAR)
3. Thiagarajah (MAS MELOR)

Table Topics:
1. Benard Loius (D'UTAMA ADV)
2. Yours truly
3. Issable (TAYLORS UNIVERSITY)

This is my 3rd time in row that I'm placed 2nd for Area Table Topics but managed to come back with 2 trophies again as I did last year.

Now gearing up for Division contest on 19th March.