In her downtime, you might find her cosying up with a book, crocheting, or strumming her guitar to the laid-back rhythms of reggae, her current favourite genre.

These quiet moments reveal a side of Aaliyah often overshadowed by her remarkable achievements across all waterski events – jumps, tricks, and slalom.

A six-time SEA Games gold medallist, she made history as the first Asian woman to win a bronze at the 2022 World Games in Alabama. She also snagged a bronze in the pro women’s overall at the Moomba Masters Championships 2024 in Melbourne.

“I’m an adrenaline junkie,” she admitted unapologetically. “I love the feeling of challenging myself and taking risks.”

It’s no surprise, given her sporting lineage. Her father, Hanifah Yoong, is a national waterski coach, and her mother, Norzeela Sulaiman, is part of the national waterski team. Together, they have coached Aaliyah.

Her younger brothers, Aiden and Adam, also compete professionally in waterskiing, while her older half-siblings, Alex Yoong and Phillipa Yoong, are sporting legends in racing and waterskiing, respectively.

“My older siblings are an inspiration to me. My competitive nature came from them being better than me, so I always wanted to be like them,” said Aaliyah, who trains six days a week.

She, in turn, inspires her younger siblings, Aiden and Adam. Growing up with a sister who’s already a decorated athlete could be daunting, but for them, it’s a challenge they embrace.

“Aaliyah is better than us and has more experience. I really look up to her as a skier and try to match our skill levels as much as I can,” shared Adam, 16.

“It drives me to be like her and pushes me forward in the sport,” added Aiden, 18.

A psychology student at Florida Southern College, Aaliyah credits her family with shaping her into the person she is today. Central to this is her father, whom she calls the “most influential person in my life.”

“He taught me resilience, respect, discipline, and true sportsmanship,” said Aaliyah, who won her first SEA Games gold medal at just eight years old. Though he’s tough as a coach, Aaliyah now values his approach. “I’m grateful because it helped me become strong, not just physically, but mentally too.”

Hanifah, who is the Malaysian Waterski & Wakeboard Federation’s event director, said he believed Aaliyah (and her brothers) have what it takes to be world champions. But he recognises that there is only so much that he can do.

“You cannot control them. That’s their life. You support them in whatever they wish to do. Even if they don’t become world champions, they’ll have become better people. That’s why we spend money on sport – not just for success in sport, but for success as human beings,” Hanifah said.

Aaliyah’s mother, Norzeela, echoed this sentiment: “I wish Aaliyah will keep working very hard to achieve her dream to become a world champion.”

Family has always been Aaliyah’s bedrock, especially in tough times. They’re the first people she turns to when facing challenges and she values travelling together with them for waterski tournaments around the world.

Reflecting on her brother Alex’s advice, which is now her personal mantra, Aaliyah chooses to see everything as temporary.

“Whatever hardships you go through, even the positive things, everything is temporary. So you always have to keep moving towards where you really want to be,” she said.

Currently part of her college’s waterski team, balancing academics with being a professional athlete is somewhat challenging but manageable, she said, thanks to the support of her coaches and professors.

“To be where I am now and to achieve more, I’ve had to sacrifice my social life and some things that I enjoy,” Aaliyah admitted.

Beyond her dreams of becoming a world champion, she aspires to be a sports psychologist. Aaliyah said she was inspired by the national sports psychologist who worked with her during tournaments.

“Mental health is really important, and I want to help other athletes.”

As she soars off the ramp, it’s clear Aaliyah isn’t just chasing distance in the air – she’s chasing her dreams, with every intention of catching them.

Follow Aaliyah Yoong on Instagram.