By Marlynda Meraw
As the birthday cake was gently placed before him, Jonah Chang Rigan’s eyes fixated on the flickering candlelight. The flames danced and swirled, inviting him to extinguish them with a single breath. In his heart, a cherished wish lingered, waiting to be whispered into the space.
“Jonah, what present do you want for your birthday?” his father, Rigan Lewi, asked, ever-ready to fulfil whatever wish his only son desired.
Prompted by his father’s inquiry, Jonah opened his mouth and expressed his hope to attend athletics training near his home.
“Dad, I don’t want any gifts. I want to train (for athletics).”
Unfortunately, his hopes were met with a resounding no—the same answer his father had given him weeks before. Jonah couldn’t grasp why his request was denied, especially when it was something he had sought out on his own. Unlike the many pursuits Jonah had been guided into, athletics was the only passion he had chosen for himself.
Having nowhere else to turn to, the boy clasped his hands together and started to pray.
“God, I want to be involved in athletics. So, please. I will leave it in Your able hands.”
About a week later, as Jonah was getting ready to join his friends outside, his father approached him with a simple instruction: be at the Sarikei Stadium at 4 o’clock the following afternoon. Confused by the sudden directive, Jonah naturally asked why. When his father finally revealed that Jonah could attend the athletics training he had longed for, his confusion melted away into tears of pure joy.
His prayer was answered.
Sarikei-born Jonah couldn’t help but laugh as he recalled the distant memory, a sentimental smile softening his features. Grateful for the turn of events, he knew it was an opportunity he would never let slip away.
To Jonah, the ‘present’ he received on his fourteenth birthday was a gift that kept on giving. Though slightly delayed in its arrival, he is thankful that his father had finally granted him the chance he had so deeply wished for.
Breaking barriers and records
Looking back at his journey, Jonah marvels at his achievements. In his debut in the Malaysian Games (Sukma) 2022 in Kuala Lumpur, he claimed gold in the shot put and secured silver in both discus and hammer throw. That same year, in August, he was chosen to represent Malaysia at the World Athletics U20 Championship in Cali, Colombia, as the sole Malaysian competitor in the shot put category. This moment, etched in time, marked a pinnacle in his storied career.
In Sukma XXI Sarawak 2024, he soared to new heights. Not only did he clinch gold in the shot put, discus throw, and hammer throw, but he also shattered the shot put record. With a new mark of 17.66 metres, he surpassed the old record of 17.31 metres, leaving his mark on the annals of athletic achievement.
Challenges may ebb and flow, each person with their own tale of hardship. For the fearless, curious, and easy-going Jonah, the unwavering support of his parents and family has been a driving force in his journey. Embracing the belief that “God breaks you to make you better,” he finds this sentiment echoed in his own story, evidence of the strength and resilience forged through adversity.
Shooting across the sky
Jonah was captivated by the thought of how far a javelin, a ball, a discus, and a hammer could soar through the air. The way they seemed to defy gravity, rising effortlessly skyward, fascinated him. He envied those at the Sarikei Stadium who had the chance to send these objects flying, longing for the day he could do the same.
He had only entered secondary school when athletics caught his eye. For a while, he had noticed the bustling activity around the stadium, wondering what drew so many kids to that spot. One day, curiosity got the better of him, and he approached one of them to learn more—how to join and what it cost. To his delight, the answer was even better than expected: the athletics training was free for all.
His eyes sparkled with delight as he reminisced about his mischievous younger days. ‘Naughty’ was the word he often used to describe himself. He loved cycling far beyond the neighbourhood, so much so that the adults would try to scare him with the stories of the ‘apek bayat’—local hoodlums who might come and whisk him away.
“Sorry lah! Aku nda takut! Bukut ku apek bayat tuk legi (Sorry, but I’m not scared! I will give these hoodlums a good beating),” Jonah guffawed as he held up a fist in the air, perhaps imagining this ‘apek bayat’ in his mind’s eye.
Despite his sturdy build, even this big boy had his fears. As a child, Jonah was terrified of dogs. One evening, after playing outside until the sun had dipped below the horizon, he cycled home only to encounter a dog in his path.
Panic set in, and tears welled up in his eyes. But in that moment of fear, something stirred within young Jonah—he grabbed a stick, mustered all his courage, and faced the dog. It didn’t matter the tears or the snot, as it was the sudden surge of bravery that made him realise—he had the guts to stand his ground.
When words fail, action speaks louder
The path hadn’t always been smooth for this Sarawakian ironman. As a tiny child of just two years old, Jonah’s mother, Renai Bilong, began to notice something different in him. Letters danced on the pages in the way it shouldn’t for Jonah—where ‘b’s turned into ‘d’s, the hooks of ‘y’s, ‘g’s and ‘j’s became too indistinguishable, and his words flowed from right to left. It was then she realised her son carried the weight of dyslexia.
What others usually found effortless proved a struggle for Jonah. A task as simple as writing an essay, a requirement in school, eluded him until he turned 16. Despite the challenge of his learning difficulties, Jonah persevered and earned passing marks—and even B+ grades in his Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM).
Dyslexia casts no shadow over his sports career, a blessing Jonah holds dear. While his condition limited his prospects in academics, sports became his sanctuary. It opens a path that had seemed narrow, offering him a chance to thrive and pursue a passion he deeply cherishes. — DayakDaily
