Lim Yi Wei, the pint-sized giant who hopes to inspire women

At first glance, Lim Yi Wei might not seem a likely candidate to lead a rugby union association. She stands at just 1.55m and weighs 43kg.

She also doesn’t fit the typical image of a rugby player, but she was a winger during her university days at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Lim fell in love with the sport despite being “nerdy and just wanting to pursue all my academics”.

She was uninterested in the rough-and-tumble world of sport until she went to Hong Kong – and her life changed.

Today, nine years after returning to Malaysia, Lim is not only the president of Selangor Rugby Union but also a two-term assemblywoman for Kampung Tunku in Petaling Jaya.

Her journey is a testament to determination, passion and the willingness to break stereotypes.

Growing up in Ipoh

Lim wasn’t particularly drawn to sports growing up, despite the best efforts of her father, who tried teaching her badminton.

“But I rebelled. I was around seven or eight when I said I didn’t want to play it,” Lim told Twentytwo13 over breakfast recently.

“When I was older, I did try some other sports, but nothing caught my eye. I was happiest when I was buried in my school books, trying to get the best grades.”

But when she moved to Hong Kong, she discovered a new passion – fitness – which eventually led her to rugby.

“It was in my second year, during the spring semester. My university already had a men’s rugby team, and they wanted to start a women’s team,” said Lim, who graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance.

“Some of my friends said, ‘You’re small, you can probably run fast. Why don’t you join us for practice?’ Even though I didn’t look like your typical rugby player – I was tiny! But when you’re young, you feel invincible. So, I joined, and I fell in love with the sport.

“Women and girls are sometimes discouraged from joining extreme sports or things like bodybuilding or weightlifting, even though they can be so beneficial. I wanted to give it a try.”

Rugby, she said, gave her a new appreciation of her body – its strength, speed and resilience. That lesson stayed with her even through injuries.

Not long after picking up rugby, she tore a ligament in her left leg.

“I was in a cast for six weeks and had to move around on crutches. Physiotherapy took even longer, but soon I was back in the team, enjoying myself and the friendship, until another accident left me with a broken cheekbone,” said Lim, who became Selangor Rugby Union president in 2024.

Despite those injuries, Lim believes rugby is a sport for everyone.

The accidental president

It is rare to find women in leadership roles in rugby, a sport traditionally regarded as rough and male-dominated.

Lim never planned on leading Selangor Rugby Union, but she became its head by “chance”.

“I was helping the Selangor teams get some funding. Someone suggested I run for president as I was already doing the job,” she recalled.

“I thought about it and decided, ‘why not?’. I won uncontested.”

Lim has since thrived in the role, with her leadership defined by inclusivity, discipline and a desire to grow rugby in Malaysia, especially for women.

“I’ve always found rugby to be a very welcoming sport, despite its tough reputation,” said Lim, who also plays the drums and piano.

“The players may seem rough around the edges, but everyone follows the rules. If a referee makes a decision, no one rushes to complain.

“And there’s this incredible sense of family within the community. They accept everyone, even if you’re not a player. Walk into a rugby bar anywhere in the world, and you feel welcome.”

Earlier this year, Lim launched the Selangor Women’s Rugby League – a groundbreaking initiative in a country where women’s sports remain underfunded and overlooked.

“Women’s rugby is still in its infancy,” she said.

“But we have a lot of potential. My goal is to create more opportunities, to make sure women can play rugby at all levels, and to continue breaking down barriers.”

A chance to give back

While Lim’s passion for rugby is clear, she has also made her mark in Malaysian politics. She returned to Malaysia in 2016, inspired by the 2014 Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong and the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal.

She joined DAP as she identified with its social democratic principles – freedom, equality and solidarity.

Two years later, she became the assemblywoman for Kampung Tunku. Her decision to enter politics was driven by a desire to serve the community and bring positive change.

“I’ve always believed in giving back to the community,” she said. “Being in politics has given me a platform to make real change.”

Lim has become a strong advocate for sports, pushing for better funding and policies that support athletes.

“I have spoken out in the state assembly regarding funding for sports. They are doing their best, but sports are still underfunded compared to states like Terengganu,” she said.

She is also raising awareness about mental health, balanced lifestyles and the need to support both women and men in sports.

But Lim also has her sights set higher.

“I’d love the opportunity to serve at the federal level one day. I think there’s a lot more that can be done for sports and community development on a larger scale,” she said.

“That is up to the party to decide. But I’m ready to serve if and when needed.”

A champion for women and youth

Throughout her rugby journey, Lim has remained committed to encouraging women to take up the sport. Her message is simple: don’t let size, gender or expectations hold you back.

“Rugby is empowering. It teaches resilience, both physical and mental. When you get hit, it’s scary, but you get back up. You learn to think on your feet, strategise, and work as a team. It’s not just about power – it’s about technique and strategy.”

She believes rugby is an excellent way for young women to build strength, overcome obstacles and form lifelong friendships.

“The adrenaline rush is like no other. And the community makes you feel like you belong.”

For young girls thinking about rugby, Lim’s advice is straightforward: try it.

“You never know what you might discover about yourself. You may just surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.”

Lim is focused on building a sustainable rugby environment in Selangor by strengthening partnerships with schools.

“We need to create pathways for our young players, both male and female, to progress in the sport,” she said.

“We need to strengthen the rugby pipeline and make sure every player, regardless of background or gender, has the opportunity to succeed.”

Lim’s journey is about inspiring women everywhere to challenge norms, pursue their passions and never let anything – not even their size – stop them from achieving greatness.