Lt. Col. (PA) Dato’ Ooi Win Juat, Director of the Vehicle Theft Reduction and Road Safety Council, is widely recognised for his dedicated service to the nation. Beyond his professional responsibilities, he has redefined what is possible, transforming perceived limitations into extraordinary triumphs through swimming and lifesaving instruction. Motivated by his conviction that “Disability isn’t inability,” Dato’ Ooi has trained countless athletes, proving that with encouragement, guidance, and determination, limitations can transform into remarkable achievements.
Among the many swimmers he has trained, two visually impaired athletes, En. Faiq Adnan (35) and Jeff Wong Hong Fei (35) shine as remarkable examples of human resilience. Introduced to swimming at the age of eight under Dato’ Ooi’s careful guidance, their journey began with simple pool exercises. But what started as modest practice soon evolved into lakeside drills, coastal swims, and the demanding arena of open-water endurance events. Under Dato’ Ooi’s steady encouragement, the boundaries of “inability” expanded, revealing the immense potential within these athletes.
Through years of dedicated training and countless hours in the water, Faiq and Jeff rose to the ranks of elite open-water marathon swimmers. Their perseverance led them to the prestigious Oceanman World Championship in Dubai, where they conquered the challenging waters of the Arabian Gulf with incredible timings—Faiq completing the 2 km swim in 49 minutes 33 seconds and Jeff in 49 minutes 34 seconds. For any swimmer, this is a formidable feat, but for visually impaired athletes, it is a triumph that redefines the limits of possibility. At every stroke, Dato’ Ooi swims alongside them, guiding their path with a rope while empowering them to push beyond their limits and realise their full potential.
Their impact stretches far beyond medals and podiums. Faiq and Jeff have proudly represented Malaysia across a host of local and international competitions from Bali and Phuket to the Penang Channel and Terengganu’s Kapas–Marang International Swimathon. While accolades have followed, their greatest legacy lies in the inspiration they spark: showing the disabled community, parents, organisers, and the wider sporting world that limitations are only starting points, not finish lines.
Their purpose extends beyond personal glory. Together, Dato’ Ooi, Faiq, and Jeff embody a mission larger than personal glory, they swim to challenge perceptions, to inspire parents to encourage children with disabilities to engage in sports, to encourage inclusive sporting platforms, and to demonstrate that disability is not a barrier but a different form of strength. This will lead by example in driving positive change for disabled athletes in competitions worldwide.
Thanks to Dato’ Ooi’s vision and the perseverance of swimmers like Faiq and Jeff. More disabled athletes are stepping into competitions, breaking boundaries, and rewriting what “possible” truly means. As Dato’ Ooi reminds all, “Disability isn’t inability—it is simply a different kind of strength.”
