Malaysian Triathlete Isaac competes in Commonwealth Games despite challenges due to autism

Friday, 29th July, Birmingham - Teen triathlete, Isaac Tan will be racing alongside his greatest idols today, namely with Matt Hauser, Alex Yee and Hayden Wilde, world-renowned names in the sport of triathlon. And what is even more amazing is that Isaac has achieved all this despite being diagnosed with high-functioning autism since the age of 3. 

Isaac will be taking part in 750m swimming, 20 km biking and 5 km running as part of the triathlon race during the Commonwealth Games. He attributes this success of being chosen to represent Malaysia, to his resilience and his ability to bounce back when he is faced with challenges, whether in sports or in his academics and personal life. In a recent video interview (see video here), he shares that this is a skill he learnt as part of the education he has received from Nexus International School Malaysia, an international school with campuses in both Malaysia and Singapore which offers students with mild learning disabilities the opportunity to complete their education (which otherwise would be difficult to do) in their bespoke programme called the Alternative Pathway. The school also offers the IB Diploma Programme as a pre-university qualification for its senior learners, the International Primary Curriculum at Primary and IGCSE curriculum in Secondary. 

Isaac who has been at Nexus for 11 years, has completed his International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), and will be henceforth training as a full-time athlete. His Inclusion teacher, Ms Madeleine Proud who he fondly calls as Ms Maddy is a very important person in his life. “She keeps me on track of my work, gives me a lot of support and drives my passion for my future goals,” says Isaac. 

Undoubtedly, the school’s Inclusive education philosophy and its explicit teaching of Personal Goals in the curriculum has helped shape Isaac into who he is today.  Being rigorous, resilient, internationally-minded and respectful are some of the personal goals taught by the school which has become Isaac’s way of life. “My personal goals helped me work on sponsorship and sportsmanship, and not just gamesmanship,” he adds. 

Isaac is indeed all pumped up to be able to race with his idols this Friday. “My dream is to be an Olympian with good Personal Best (PB) timings. My swimming, biking and running all have to be of world record,” says Isaac, when asked about his aspirations at the Commonwealth Games and for his future. 

We hope that Isaac enjoys the experience of racing with his idols - his “future friends”, as he calls them and has his moment of glory in Birmingham. For Isaac, to achieve his personal best timings in his race and continue to ride the challenges, trials and tribulations he obviously faces due to autism, will be a triumph.

Whatever the results of the race this Friday, Isaac has already made our nation proud and is a beacon of hope and light for all those who follow. 

This content is provided by Nexus International School

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