Veteran Chong wins F34 shot put gold

KUCHING: Former Malaysia Games (SUKMA) hammer throw record holder Chong Cheng Tat won a gold medal in the shot put event at the Para (SUKMA) Malaysia Games on Monday.

Chong, who suffered a stroke four years ago, has shown that with hard work, anything is possible. 

At 45-years old, he previously set the hammer throw record in 2000 with a distance of 46.54 meters, which was later surpassed by Jackie Wong 10 years later with a new record of 55.14 meters.

Chong from Kuching won gold at the F34 shot put event with 6.07 metres, and will compete in two more events- javelin and discus throw.

Chong stands for the state anthem

Chong (centre) poses for a photo with Billy and Fatimah

“It has been 24 years since that record. I faced an illness, a stroke, and I had to rebuild myself.

“Otherwise, I would have been sitting at home with nothing to do. I want to do more, exercise more, and get healthier,” he told reporters after the prize giving ceremony here at Sarawak Stadium.

Chong shared that he had to train at the gym and focus on building strength in his right hand. 

“I was left-handed, but now I practice more with my right hand. For others, it may not be easy, but it’s not a one-day job,” he explained.

He credited his background in athletics for helping him return to the sport. 

“The most important thing is that during my school years, I was also an athlete. Athletics has always been my passion, which motivated me to come back,” he said. Accompanying him at the prize-giving ceremony was his wife, Carol Goh Khai Ying,

34, whose unwavering support and love have been his guiding light through every challenge, making this moment of triumph even more poignant.

For the record, Chong had a stroke in 2020, which affected his left side of his body.

Also present at the event were Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah and Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang.