Pengiran Mohd Nasir bin Pengiran Anak Haji Ja’afar in action. – PGN
BRUNEI Darussalam’s national equestrian Pengiran Mohd Nasir bin Pengiran Anak Haji Ja’afar expressed hopes to better the result he achieved in 2010 in the same major tournament in the jumping individual event of the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta tomorrow.
The national athlete finished in 11th place in Guangzhou that year and produced a perfect round in the finals of the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur last year.
“My hopes and expectations are to improve on my last results that I achieved at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games in China. I was placed 11th that year and I hope to break into the top 10 this time,” Pengiran Mohd Nasir said in an interview recently.
Asked about his preparations for the tournament, he replied, “I’ve been preparing and competing in various international competitions around Europe, including CSI2** Roeser in Luxembourg and CSI2** Knokke Belgium. These are highly ranked international shows with top, competitive riders.”
The Belgium-based rider also shared that his training involved working with his horses on a daily basis as well as working with a trainer and getting himself fit.
Pengiran Mohd Nasir is always proud to represent the country and will always strive to make his country proud evident with his heroic efforts in the last SEA Games where he was spared a medal by quicker times.
“No matter where, I’m always proud to represent my country. SEA Games last year will always be remembered as one of my best achievements, but I’ll always have to look forward.
“We say in the sport, you’re only as good as your last round. Tomorrow is a new day!” said Pengiran Mohd Nasir.
The 28-year old first took up horse riding as an after-school activity in 2000 while he was a student at Jerudong International School.
His first major tournament was the SEA Young Rider World Cup in Kuala Lumpur back in 2005, which was also the venue during last year’s SEA Games.
Pengiran Mohd Nasir produced one of his strongest performances in the venue which he has fond memories of.
The national rider has identified Arab nations such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as the strongest in the field.
Illustrating the strength of Arab countries in the event, Pengiran Mohd Nasir affirmed, “Since the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, every gold medallist was from an Arab nation.”
Pengiran Mohd Nasir’s coach Lieven Devos has been a strong influence on him during his career.
“I see my coach more as family, and that is how much our relationship has developed since I began training with him in 2008. It’s either he trains me or I would prefer not to ride at all,” he said.
