2 Minutes With... ROBYN LAMSAM
The former Hong Kong swimming champion is working with Ken Catton Sport and Entertainment as a promotions and sponsorship executive. She has a degree in journalism and an honours degree in Asian studies from the University of Queensland. The 26-year-old will be rubbing shoulders with some of the world's top tennis players in next week's Watsons Water Champions Challenge at Victoria Park.
How did you get started working for Ken Catton Enterprises, the promoters of the Challenge?
I started working with them at the end of last September after spending the last seven years in Australia. I took up this job purely for this tournament and am working for them on a project-to-project basis. It's a steep learning curve for me because I was thrown in at the deep end. But it is nice working here and I get along well with my colleagues.
It must be nice rubbing shoulders with such players like Roger Federer, Venus Williams and Juan Carlos Ferrero. Are you a tennis fan?
I will be involved with the players at some point. But I never really focused on tennis before. I only paid attention to the Grand Slams. But these players are all world famous and Martina Navratilova, she's an icon and she's still the best in the world in mixed doubles, which is incredible. It's going to be fun. I was never involved in tennis before even though my family played the sport. I was never serious in tennis. It's just ironic, that I am involved in it now.
You were quite a swimmer before. How many national records do you still hold?
I hold long-course records in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m [all freestyle] and 4 x 100m freestyle relay. Short course, I still hold national records in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle.
Do you still swim?
When I started work, I didn't have much time. I would do some hiking and I used to go to the gym a lot, but exercise now takes a backseat. Before, exercise played a huge part of my life. At the back of my mind, I always wanted to stay in sport. Everything I have done, it has been full throttle, no-holds barred. It's the first time I have been home to settle down in seven years. I am really enjoying it now.