By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Sept 28: Ng Jing Xuan, or simply “JX” to her peers, has successfully etched her name into the record book of Malaysia Games (Sukma) XXI Sarawak 2024.
Her stunning performance in the javelin throw shattered a 16-year-old record, eclipsing Sarawakian Ho Sin Hui’s mark of 44.98 metres with an impressive throw of 45.57 metres.
The 20-year-old athlete from Pujut, Miri, began her sports journey with a love for volleyball during her secondary school years at SMK Chung Hua Miri. However, it was a fortuitous encounter with a dear teacher whom she called Coach Chung, that set Jing Xuan on a new path.
Coach Chung, impressed by Jing Xuan’s lightning-fast reflexes and striking power during volleyball games, encouraged her to try javelin. Intrigued and open to new challenges, Jing Xuan gave it a shot.
“I just gave it a try and found out I loved it!” she recalled with a contagious smile. She was intrigued by its technical aspects that demanded perfect timing and precise skill. But even as she embraced this new sport, the memory of volleyball—the camaraderie and collective effort of a team sport—lingered in her heart.
From fifth to first
Jing Xuan’s journey as a javelin athlete began in earnest when she was just 13. At the age of 14, she made her debut at Sukma Perak 2018, finishing in fifth place—a promising start, but far from satisfying for the ambitious teen. It was during her second Sukma appearance in the Kuala Lumpur 2022 games that she truly made her mark, clinching the gold medal.
Now, in her third outing at Sukma 2024, Jing Xuan did more than just defend her gold medal—she smashed the game record that had stood since 2008. The previous record belonged to Ho, a senior from her alma mater, SMK Chung Hua Miri—a predecessor and role model who inspired Jing Xuan to aim higher.
Spurred by this success, Jing Xuan has set her sights on breaking the national record and dreams of becoming the first Malaysian woman to cross the 50-metre mark in the javelin throw.
A path riddled with injuries
Yet, the road to glory was not without its thorns. Jing Xuan has experienced a number of painful injuries affecting her back, wrist, shoulders, and elbow. But she refused to let these setbacks dim the light of her dreams. Even as pain became her constant companion, the training never ceased. She faced each day resiliently with the belief that every challenge was just another step on the path to greatness.
Moving forward with an unwavering resolve, she found ways to choreograph her rigorous training with the demands of rehabilitation. She is more than grateful for her family who has steadfastly and tirelessly stood by her side through every storm, ensuring she received the care she needed before she stepped on the field again. Their love has never wavered, even when the journey felt uncertain.
“They (family) were more worried than I was whenever I got injured,” she acknowledged.
Jing Xuan’s younger sister shares her competitive spirit, throwing the shotput and discus with a fierce determination of her own. Meanwhile, her older brother has been a quiet pillar of strength, always by her side, helping her find harmony between her athletic ambitions and her academic dreams. Together, they have been her constants—a family bound not just by blood, but by the unspoken promise to lift one another up, no matter how high the hurdles.
Javelin in one hand, camera in the other
With her recent record-breaking performance, Jing Xuan has set her sights on qualifying for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and perhaps even bigger international competitions.
Outside the sports realm, photography is Jing Xuan’s passion. She truly believes that a picture tells a thousand stories, capturing moments in a way words never could. Her favourite images are those that convey the essence of a place, revealing hidden narratives within each frame.
Photography offers more than an artistic outlet for Jing Xuan. It is also a way to escape, to decompress from the intensity of competition and see the world anew through the camera viewfinder—a way to find beauty in the ordinary and meaning in the fleeting.
Jing Xuan harbours dreams of venturing into the world of business, of one day being her own boss. Though she has not yet settled on a specific path to get there, her aspirations remain steadfast, even as she is open to new experiences.
Future in focus
Despite her remarkable sporting achievements, Jing Xuan remains grounded. Having just completed her foundation year at Sunway College in Kuala Lumpur, she is familiar with the challenges of living away from home, especially the culture shock and the hectic pace of life in the big city.
For now, she is determined to enjoy the moments she has with her family and friends in Miri. The young athlete is also looking forward to spending more time with her friends, creating fond memories which she plans to capture through her camera lens.
The javelin field is more than just a place to compete—it’s an arena where Jing Xuan has learned about and demonstrated resilience, courage, and the spirit of never giving up.
As she prepares for her next chapter in life, one thing is certain: her journey is far from over. With her strong determination and unrelenting spirit, she is sure to continue breaking boundaries, one throw at a time. — DayakDaily
