This work is originally published by Cahya Mata Sarawak. DayakDaily has been given permission to share this story on our platforms.
By Martin Yee, Kenny Ee, and Marlynda Meraw
Joseph Mong’s story begins in Kuching, on the shaded fields of St. Joseph’s School, where a young boy first laced up his shoes and took to running. Cross-country races against Chris Reynolds, a British student volunteer, revealed Joseph’s budding talent. Each race against Chris stirred something within him—a hunger to go further, faster. As he grew, so did his ambition, carrying him beyond school races into Sarawak’s larger athletic world.
By his teenage years, Joseph’s determination led him to the Sarawak Amateur Athletics Association (SAAA) Championships, where his star began to rise. His stride was steady, and in 1966 and 1967, he won Sarawak titles in the 800m and 1,500m, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Sarawak’s best.
This was a golden era for Sarawak athletics, with vibrant competitions drawing participants from Singapore and Sabah. In the lively competitive atmosphere, Joseph thrived. Though he excelled in multiple events, his heart lay with the 800m and 1,500m, where he often faced Latif Olen, another of Sarawak’s finest. Joseph didn’t always beat Latif, but his accomplishments placed him among Sarawak’s legends.
National competitions like the Malaysian Games bolstered Joseph’s reputation. In 1964 and 1965, he competed against top national runners, including Ramasamy Subramaniam, gaining valuable experience. His proudest moments came at the Borneo Games, particularly in the 4x400m relay, where he and his teammates secured a victory for Sarawak. Later, at the Malaysian Games, his relay team finished third—a cherished memory that stayed with him. Each race, each medal, was a testament to his hard work and resilience.
His journey wouldn’t have been possible without his mentors, who shaped both his technique and his character. Figures like Joseph Lee Gut Hing, himself an accomplished athlete, and coach Lau Han Choon, Bill Miller from the United States, and Tony Trail from Britain left a lasting impact on him. These mentors instilled in him discipline, persistence, and the importance of mentorship itself—values he would carry forward into the next chapter of his life.
In 1970, Joseph retired from competitive running, but he remained close to the track. Having trained as a physical education teacher at Batu Lintang Teachers’ College, he returned to athletics with a new mission: to pass on his knowledge to a new generation of athletes. He found his calling in rural Sarawak, where his goal was clear—to mould young runners from under-resourced schools into champions.
In the small schools of the Simanggang Division, and later at Melugu and St. Augustine secondary schools, Joseph encountered a different kind of challenge. There were no proper tracks, only open fields and makeshift spaces, but he turned these limitations into opportunities. Using football fields and any available space, he trained his students with passion and dedication, helping them realise their potential.
One of his most promising protégés was Annie Songan, who, under his guidance, rose to the national level. Joseph’s impact on his students went far beyond medals; he inspired them to believe in themselves and their abilities. He invited them to join him on his regular road runs, sparking in them a genuine love for the sport. His efforts transformed these small, rural schools into unlikely breeding grounds for athletic talent, cultivating a new generation of runners who would carry his lessons forward.
In 1977, Joseph’s coaching achievements were recognised at the national level. After completing a specialised training course in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, he was appointed as a national coach by the Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union (MAAU). This new role was both an honour and a testament to his expertise and commitment.
As national coach, he guided Malaysia’s top 800m, 1,500m, and walking athletes at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur and the Asian Games in Bangkok. Leading the country’s best athletes on an international stage was a defining moment, solidifying his status as a respected figure in Malaysian athletics.
Joseph’s journey—from a young runner on a school field in Kuching to a national coach—left an enduring legacy. His dedication, both on the track and as a coach, transformed the landscape of Malaysian athletics. The many athletes he inspired, especially in rural Sarawak, are his living legacy, a testament to his belief that passion and perseverance can overcome any limitation. –DayakDaily
