Muhammad Shah Feroz Bin Moheden – SEA Games 2015 Athletics Squad

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Name: Muhammad Shah Feroz Bin Moheden

Height: 172cm

Weight: 58kg

Date of Birth: 15 August 1984 (31yrs)

Personal Best(s): 9:59.68 (Men 3000m steeplechase, 2012 IVP)

Career Highlight(s):

First Break Through

2003 National Junior Championships, 1st for 1500m in 4.20, 2nd in 3000m SC, 3rd in 5000m.

Following year

2004 Swift Meet, 1st in 1500m, 1st in 3000m SC, 2nd in Mile, 2nd in 5000m. Was crowned the Best Men’s Open & the Best Men Swift. Got selected for National Youth Squad in 2004 and shortly after enlisted into NS. Represented Sin in Asean Uni Games 2008 – 1500m, 6th

Next Major Break Through

Series 3 2011 – 1500m, 4:06.91

IVP 2012 – 3000m SC, 9:59.68 (First Singaporean to go below 10min since 2001)

Malaysia Open 2015 – 3000m SC, 10:01, 2nd

Q) What are your hopes, dream and target this SEA Games?

Hoping for a PB by a large margin from my current PB of 9:59.68. Would love to be hitting below 9:34 which is currently the fastest time since 2001 for a Singaporean. However my target would be a sub 9:45.

Q) How’s your preparation for the SEA Games?

I’m taking No Pay Leave to go on full throttle. Currently I’m up in Cameron Highlands for a 1 month training stint (Back in May). Thus far, as I will be missing Taiwan Open and Series 4, I have no basis to gauge my current performance.

Q) What are some of the biggest challenges in your sports career so far leading to SEA Games and your athletics career?

In my athletics career, the biggest challenge was in finding motivation and determination which was lost ever since 2006. I have personally called it off twice, first was in 2009 for 3 months and next was in 2012 for 1.5 years after setting PB for 3000m SC during IVP. Leading to SEA Games, I was still battling that psychological part and worst still, the need to juggle work and training.

Q) How did you specialise in your particular event? Why this event, what’s the attraction?

My pet event was the 1500m all along and 3000m SC was just an event I thought was fun. The fun in clearing the water barrier was the main attraction as to how I first decided to take on steeplechase. Specialised in 3000m SC ever since after laying off for 1.5 years and after a failed attempt in making a comeback to 1500m.

Q) Who is your coach, tell us more about him/her. Also a mention of your previous coaches.

G. Elangovan is my current coach. One who was dominant in all the distance events during his running career, except for 800m, I would say. Before him was James Mayo in 2004 as part of the National Youth Squad. I was under Tan Yew Ling, the woman who inspired me to dream big for 1.5 years since 2001 and then under Jacter Singh till 2003, under whose wings I shined. I can’t speak for James Mayo, but for the other 3 coaches, they have indeed left behind a legacy of their own as Singapore representatives in the athletics scene.

Q) Do you take care of your nutrition and diet? Your opinion on supplements and food.

It was only recently after a health check in 2014 that I became a little wary of what I eat. It is more in particular for health reasons rather than to aid me in training. I’m quite reluctant to take in supplements and would depend solely on recommended food for recovery. Just the thought of wanting my body to function naturally.

Q) Aside from athletics, what else interest you? You could say the other part of your life beyond athletics.

Football!! Rugby!!! And probably dance!! I have been involved heavily on these during my undergrad years. And I would most likely want to move towards those areas after SEA Games.

Q) How do you fit in your training/competing with your family and studies/work?

Alot of sacrifices – on sleep, time spent with family and most of the time not even on weekends and also in bearing the scorching sun between 11am – 3pm, just so that work won’t cause me to miss training, though I have missed a few before due to the pile of work in which I had to stay in office till 9pm.

Q) Share with the readers, some aspects of your training regime.

7-9 times a week during school days and 10-12 times during school holidays, with 3 to 4 workouts per week when we are in competition phase.

Q) What are your long term athletics goals?

I guess this is where I stop unless my coach has other plans for me, provided I want to carry on. My athletic goal has been partially achieved and I feel I’m pretty drained from setting anymore goals.

Q) What advice do you have for young aspiring athletes?

The best time for you to train is when you are studying! Be consistent in your training regime, i.e. even throughout exam periods and holidays! How to? Manage your time well with forward planning and be prepared to make sacrifices.