Written by Jeremiah Ong
National para badminton player Xavier Lim left the 2025 ASEAN Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima with an abundant haul – a joint bronze in the men’s singles SH6 – and, more importantly, sharper footwork, greater mental strength and belief as he looks to kickstart his season.
“The areas I’ve improved the most on are my footwork and my mental strength. Footwork is such an important part of the game, especially so for us short-stature players; we need to be able to cover the whole court with shorter reach. I’ve been working with my coaches a lot on maximising my speed and efficiency of my footwork, to cover the court well.”
Adding that his second appearance at the regional Games came with fewer “jitters” compared to his debut in Cambodia in 2023, Lim credited his coaches and sports psychologist for helping him manage pre-game nerves and “maintain focus regardless of the scoreline”. The improved mental approach, he said, allowed him to perform closer to his level during training.
After an opening 2-0 (21-18, 21-13) pool stage win against Asian Youth Para Games silver medallist John Cyrus Maclang of the Philippines, Lim faced second seed and eventual gold medallist Subhan Subhan in his next pool stage match.
He fell in straight sets (21-9, 21-10) to the Indonesian but still secured a semi-final berth where he was due to face home hope and world no.4 Natthapong Meechai.
A 2-0 (21-7, 21-11) loss marked the end of his campaign, but not before bagging the joint bronze on his second outing at the Games
Cutting his teeth against superior opponents has only fuelled his hunger in pursuit of improvement.
“If you want to be the best, you have to face the best, and it was certainly a good experience playing the top players in ASEAN in Subhan and Nattapong. It’s always great to see how my game measures up against the top players and where I can improve or learn from them,”
So, returning home with a medal was merely a bonus for the full-time pharmacist.
“It definitely feels great to medal, and it’s one of the goals in my badminton career. However, I wasn’t too fixated on the result or getting on the podium, but rather the process and gameplay,” he said.
Some other improvements Lim noticed in his performances as compared to his last APG outing were “in my movement on court and tactical understanding”.
The major Games experience of interacting with fellow Team Singapore athletes and athletes from other countries was also a highlight of Lim’s time in Thailand.
“It was enjoyable to watch everyone push their limits,” he added. He was among the 37-strong Team Singapore contingent who often found themselves hopping between sporting venues to cheer each other on.
Top-tier competition will come thick and fast for the 25-year-old at the Feb 8–14 Badminton World Federation (BWF) Para Badminton World Championships in Manama, Bahrain, where he is slated to compete in the men’s singles and doubles, where he will partner Brunei’s Ak Muhd Amirul Faiq Pg Zali.
A short break will follow before a push towards qualification for October’s Asian Para Games in Nagoya.
“I will definitely be taking the lessons learnt and integrating them into my plans for the Asian Games and subsequently the 2028 Paralympics.
“I maintain the same passion and determination in working towards qualification for the Games.”
With a busy season ahead, Lim’s podium start provides timely encouragement, but it is his renewed belief that will be crucial in carrying him through the months to come.
‹ All articles“Belief is the biggest lesson I am taking away.”
“To always believe in myself, even when the odds are stacked against me. I need to always trust in my own abilities and dig deep to fight it out.”