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NAME: Salehhuddin Ayob
NICKNAME: Sal
DATE OF BIRTH: 22/11/1964
PLACE OF BIRTH: Selangor, Malaysia
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Colorado, USA
OCCUPATION: Self-Employed
HIGHER EDUCATION: Master of Arts in Political Science, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

WHEN/WHERE DID YOU START CANOEING/KAYAKING?
I joined the Kent State Kayaking Club while attending Kent State University in 1988

REASON FOR TAKING UP THE SPORT:
In 1989, I attended the Canoe Slalom World Championship in Savage River, MD USA and witnessed Richard Fox and Miriam Jerusalmi won the Men’s K1 and Women’s K1 event. I really come to appreciate the sport of Canoe Slalom after witnessing the skills and finesse displayed by these world class paddlers. Seeing a Japanese paddler and a fellow Asian participating, further convinced and challenge me to take up the sport.

HOBBIES:  Paddling, skiing/snowboarding, camping, motorsports and travelling

CLUB: MASCA

NAME OF COACH: Mike Druce

NATIONALITY OF YOUR COACH: Great Britain

SINCE WHEN HAVE YOU BEEN COACHED BY HIM/HER: From 1998 – 2000

TRAINING REGIME:  I mostly train skills, strength and endurance, in the boat, with dryland/gym sessions for general strength and muscular balance. The training volume varies between 10 to 18 sessions per/week based on principles of periodization and maximizing the three energy systems. (atp-pc, lactic acid and aerobic)

SENIOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT YEAR:  1995

SENIOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT COUNTRY:  Prague, Czech Republic

LIST OF WORLD CUPS PARTICIPATED:
Prague, Czech Republic, June 24-25, 1995
Tacen, Slovenia, July 1-2, 1995
Mezzana, Italy, July 8-9, 1995
Lofer, Austria, July 15-16, 1995
Ocoee, USA, Sept 29-Oct 1, 1995
Ocoee, USA, April 19-21, 1996
La Seu d’Urgell, Spain, June 8-9, 1996
Augsburg, Germany, June 15-16
Prague, Czech Republic, August 24-25, 1996
Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia, June 13-14, 1998
Tacen, Slovenia, June 20-21, 1998
Augsburg, Germany, June 27-28, 1998
Wausau, USA, July 31-Aug 2, 1998
La Seu d’Urgell, Spain, Sept 11-13, 1998
Tacen, Slovenia, June 18-20, 1999
Tacen, Slovenia, June 22-24, 1999
Bratislava, Slovakia, August 13-15, 1999
Augsburg, Germany, August 20-22, 1999
Penrith, Australia, Sept 30-Oct 3, 1999
Penrith, Australia, April 29-30, 2000

LIST OF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS PARTICIPATED:
Nottingham, Great Britain, 1995
La Seu d’Urgell, Spain, 1999

OLYMPIC YEARS:  Atlanta, USA, 1996

MEMORABLE SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:  During the 1st 2000 World Cup in Penrith, Australia I ended 22rd overall missing by 1 spot to advance to the final.

PREFERRED POSITION/STANCE/STYLE/TECHNIQUE: K1

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN CAREER:  My Coach and mentor Mike Druce and my wife Siti Tunggal who’s always been my rock and who always tells it as it is

TRAINING PARTNER:  Helmut Oblinger, Fedja Marusic

HERO/IDOL:  Figure Skater Jason Brown, Basket baller Michael Jordon and the 1988 Jamaican Bobsled Team

SUPERSTITIONS/RITUALS/BELIEFS:  Short prayer before I race

FAVOURITE PADDLING COURSE:  Penrith Whitewater Course, Penrith, Australia

FAVOURITE FOOD:  Satay and durian

AMBITION:  To be a good role model for my daughter

SPORTING RELATIVES:  My wife was an athlete representing Singapore in athletics and my daughter is a junior athlete representing Malaysia in alpine skiing.