CHIN up, Asians. 

Despite having a smaller physique when compared to our Western counterparts , we don't always get the shorter end of the stick when it comes to sports.

It's not just talk or wishful thinking - it's been proven time and again over the years in different sports and by different personalities, and most recently, by an amateur golfer at the Johnny Walker Classic in Perth. 

Danny Lee has the whole world in his hands.
Source: AFP

New Zealander Danny Lee became not only the youngest golfer ever at 18 years and 213 days to win on an European tour, but also only the second amateur to win that event in its history.

Never mind that he can't pick up the A$465,000 cheque because of his amateur status - he had beaten the likes of Lee Westwood and Paul Casey, and many other more experienced golfers en route to glory.

Currently ranked first on the World Amateur Golf Rankings, Danny was also the youngest ever winner of the US Amateur in 2008, a mantle held by Tiger Woods alone since 1994. 

And in golf alone, there are other indications that Asians are not only the up-and-coming, but also a force to be reckoned with. 

Another apt example comes in the form of Yani Tseng, a 20-year-old Taiwanese who only turned pro at the beginning of 2007, but is already ranked No. 2 in the world. 

In her rookie year on the LPGA Tour, she became the youngest winner of the LPGA Championship in what was only her third major championship. She was later named Rookie of the Year for 2008.

Tseng, together with 10 other Asian-born golfers, make up 11 of the 20 top women golfers in the world now. Danny Lee, Anthony Kim and Ryo Ishikawa are also just some of the many young names in a game traditionally dominated by Americans and Europeans. 

So why do we, as Asians, beat ourselves up more often than we should for our shorter legs, inadequate muscles, modest wingspans, higher body fat levels and the rest of our less-than-ideal or not-made-for-sports bodies?

Was Tao Li not snubbed for not having the body for swimming? Did she not then make head turns at Beijing, and then the Arena World Cup in Stockholm?

Yes, we may not have the physical edge all the time, but Asian countries have also traditionally enjoyed status as the ones to beat in various sports, including racquet games, gymnastics and softball.

We need to fan our flickering confidence with what hope these Asian sporting achievements past, present and future have handed us, to believe that more Asian athletes can slug it out with their bigger, stronger Western counterparts for top honours. 

The more Danny Lee and his ilk continue to excel, the more the rest of the Asian sporting world will charge ahead with fire in their bellies.